Community Engagement and Social/Recreational Activities for NDIS Participants

At Hobart Horseplay, we provide a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone. We see the incredible benefits of community engagement and social participation and believe that everyone deserves a chance to shine regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. It is a human right to feel a sense of belonging, have a sense of purpose, take ownership of your life, and feel validated. Here at Hobart Horseplay, we have a diverse team of dedicated staff and volunteers to assist in facilitating NDIS sessions including (but not limited to): accredited Equestrian Instructors, Support Workers, former Social Workers and Teachers of various levels and areas of expertise.

What is our aim?

When working with NDIS clients, our primary goals are to foster a sense of belonging, nurture independence, and gently challenge boundaries to encourage personal and physical growth. We provide bespoke 1:1 support - continually adapting our strategies and methods to cater to the specific needs of each individual we support. We utilise positive behavioural support strategies in liaison with each client's current support network.

We also offer supported employment, transport assistance and respite services to NDIS clients which have been a great success for our existing participants. Please see the relevant pages for more information.

Tailored Sessions

Tailored sessions are built around goals contained within the participant’s current NDIS plan. We use a variety of different activities and environments to assist with progress - often working in collaboration with other supports to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

EXAMPLE GOALS

  • Improving social and communication skills and maintaining emotional regulation in varying environments

  • Improving daily living skills and/or independence

  • Working on fine/gross motor skills, physical strength, or overall fitness

EXAMPLE STRATEGIES

  • Working with a variety of staff both indoors and outdoors, undertaking routine and novel tasks individually and also within group settings

  • Eating meals with staff and cleaning up afterwards as a team

  • Socialising with animals, staff, visitors and other participants

  • Helping to plan the day’s activities

  • Preparing food for animals

  • Taking ownership of several crucial tasks (such as checking and maintaining water troughs, keeping a stable clean, or collecting eggs)

  • Feeding the various farm animals, clearing areas of obstacles, general farm yard cleaning

HORSE INTERACTION

Participants may be given the opportunity to interact with our horses during their session by mutual agreement. This interaction will act to strengthen participation and engagement in sessions, assist with emotional regulation and increase overall wellbeing (as countless studies have shown).

Session Times

Most sessions are scheduled between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday and run for a minimum of 90 minutes. Younger NDIS participants can join our saddle club program on a Saturday (please see saddle club page for further information).

Cost

Sessions at Hobart Horseplay for NDIS participants range from $120-$180 per hour depending on client needs. Please email us for the cost breakdown and a personalised quote.

Interested? Next Steps…

If you are interested in participating in social and community activities at Hobart Horseplay, here are your next steps:

  1. Send us an email at hobarthorseplay@gmail.com outlining some information about the client along with the frequency and duration of desired sessions. We will send you a quote with a price breakdown and some information regarding funding and line items.

  2. Forward our quote to your Coordinator of Supports or your Local Area Coordinator and ask them whether your client has adequate and available funding for their sessions.

  3. Upon an affirmative reply from your CoS or LAC, forward us their go ahead along with any relevant sections of your clients plan (so that we can devise some goals etc). We will also need information about where to send the invoices.

  4. Come out for a meet and greet so we can go over the relevant paperwork. You will need to familiarise yourself with our terms and conditions, service agreement and policies for support workers.

  5. Sessions can commence! The service agreement does not need to be signed right away - make sure you want to commit first.

Sessions can be funded from either core or capacity building.