Building With Strength

30/11/2025

✨ Quokka of the Month – Holiday Edition ✨
As the year winds down, this quokka gathering is the perfect reminder of what truly matters most: connection. Whether it’s sharing a meal, a laugh, or simply sitting together, the holidays are about being present with those we care about.
This season, let’s celebrate the simple joys—friendship, love, and a little extra sweetness (quokkas recommend honey!). 🐾☕🍯
“The best gifts are laughter, love, and time together.”

30/11/2025

At Building With Strength, we believe lived experience is a professional strength.

26/11/2025

🤝 Creating Referral Partnerships 🤝

In the NDIS world, no single provider can meet every need — and that’s exactly why strong referral partnerships matter.

Cross-referrals aren’t just “good networking”. When they’re done well, they create a genuine ecosystem of support around participants.
They help people get the right service, at the right time, from a provider who actually specialises in what they need. And providers benefit too — with clearer communication, better continuity of care, and teams who can focus on doing what they do best.

Referral partnerships mean:
🟦 Participants avoid long waitlists by being connected to the right provider quickly
🟦 Providers can work within their strengths rather than stretching beyond their scope
🟦 Families experience less stress because services are coordinated across teams
🟦 Everyone gets more accurate, timely information to support decision-making
🟦 A stronger, more trusted local network for everyone involved

At Building With Strength, we partner with providers who share our values — transparency, ethical practice, respectful communication, and keeping the participant at the centre of everything.

When we refer out, we’re not “losing” anything.
We’re building a community where participants thrive and providers lift each other up.

That’s the kind of NDIS sector we want to be part of.

25/11/2025

Short Term Respite isn’t about “getting away” — it’s about protecting the people who support you every single day.

Many participants rely heavily on family and friends for daily, hands-on support. Over time, even the most committed informal supports can burn out. The NDIS recognises this, and Short Term Respite exists so your carers can have a structured break — and continue safely in their caring role long-term.

Short Term Respite allows:
🟦 Time apart from your primary informal supports
🟦 A chance for them to rest, recover, and re-set
🟦 You to receive the support you need from someone else during that break

It can be used for up to 14 days at a time, and generally up to 28 days per year. It’s flexible and can happen in a respite facility, hotel-style accommodation, a short-stay rental, or even your own home with alternative supports in place.

What it’s not:
❌ A holiday
❌ A way to fund travel or meals
❌ A replacement for everyday parenting responsibilities
❌ Extra support for family members

Short Term Respite is about strengthening the sustainability of your usual support arrangements — keeping carers well, keeping participants supported, and keeping families together.

If your informal supports are struggling, ageing, juggling other caring roles, or simply reaching their limit, it may be time to talk about including Short Term Respite in your plan.

24/11/2025

🎄 TOMORROW! Christmas-Themed Alliance Meeting + FREE Lunch! 🎄

Don’t forget — our final Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance meeting for the year is happening tomorrow, and we’re going all-in on Christmas cheer!

A huge thank-you to Real Life Community Group, who are kindly sponsoring a free Christmas lunch along with some festive treats for everyone attending.

Here’s your reminder to come along, join the celebration, and connect with fellow Support Coordinators.

🗓 Tomorrow – Wednesday 26 November
⏰ 1:00pm – 2:00pm
📍 9 Old Springhill Rd, Coniston

Featuring guest speakers:
✨ Kylie Jones – Rock n Rollers
✨ Emma Kendall – Prescribe Exercise

We’d absolutely love to see you there — let’s wrap up the year with good food, good conversations, and a strong sense of community.

24/11/2025

Service Agreements Demystified
Every NDIS participant has the right to clear, fair, and transparent service agreements — but understanding them can sometimes feel like reading another language.

At Building With Strength, we help participants and providers break down what a service agreement really means, so everyone knows exactly what to expect.

Here’s what to look for before you sign:
📋 1. What’s included – Check the specific services, hours, and costs.
🕒 2. Cancellation terms – Understand the notice period and fees.
💬 3. Communication – Make sure you know how to contact the provider if something changes.
⚖️ 4. Flexibility – Agreements should adapt as your needs evolve.
🖊️ 5. Consent and choice – You have the right to negotiate or decline parts that don’t suit your goals.

A good service agreement is built on clarity, consent, and collaboration — not confusion.

Because when everyone understands their role, supports work better, relationships are stronger, and outcomes improve.

23/11/2025

19/11/2025

Why Every Provider Needs a Mentor or Peer Group
The NDIS landscape changes fast — and no one should navigate it alone.

Having a mentor or a strong peer network isn’t just about support; it’s about growth.
At Building With Strength, we’ve seen firsthand how collaboration lifts providers from surviving to thriving.

Here’s why mentorship matters:
🤝 Shared wisdom – Learn from those who’ve faced the same challenges (and found the shortcuts).
💬 Accountability and reflection – Honest conversations help you see your blind spots.
🧭 Clarity and direction – Mentors help you focus on the bigger picture when things get complex.
🌱 Confidence through connection – Knowing others have your back builds resilience.

Start small: join a local provider network, attend an NDIS Community of Practice, or simply reach out to someone whose work you admire.

Together, we can grow stronger, learn faster, and build a more ethical, connected NDIS sector.

18/11/2025

🎅 ONE WEEK TO GO!
Our next Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance meeting is just around the corner — and it’s going to be a festive Christmas-themed gathering!

Thanks to Real Life Community Group, everyone who attends will be treated to a complimentary Christmas lunch and some sweet holiday goodies. Perfect fuel for a cosy, collaborative mid-week catch-up.

Join us as we welcome our guest speakers:
⭐ Kylie Jones – Rock n Rollers
⭐ Emma Kendall – Prescribe Exercise

🗓 Wednesday 26 November
⏰ 1:00pm – 2:00pm
📍 9 Old Springhill Rd, Coniston

Come along, learn something new, connect with your peers, and enjoy a festive bite together.
Bring your Christmas spirit — we can’t wait to see everyone!

17/11/2025

What to Expect in Your First NDIS Plan
Getting your first NDIS plan can feel exciting — and a bit overwhelming.

At Building With Strength, we help first-time participants understand what comes next after their Access Request is approved. Knowing what to expect helps you make confident, informed choices from day one.

Here’s a quick guide:

📄 1. Meet your planner or LAC
They’ll talk about your goals, your current supports, and what you’d like to achieve.

🧭 2. Your plan is created
The NDIS will assess your needs and funding. You’ll receive your plan — either by email, post, or through the NDIS app.

🤝 3. Start connecting with supports
You can use your plan to access providers and services that help you reach your goals.

💬 4. Review and reflect
Plans usually last 12–24 months. You’ll have regular opportunities to check what’s working and what needs adjusting.

Your first plan is just the start — it’s a foundation to build from.
And with the right support, you can turn it into a roadmap for growth and independence.

16/11/2025

🌉 The gap between dreams and reality is action.

💭 So many people know what they want from the NDIS,
but get stuck in the ‘how’.

🛠️ At Building With Strength, we break down goals into manageable steps —
because ✨ small action is what brings dreams to life.

14/11/2025

🎄 CHRISTMAS-THEMED SUPPORT COORDINATION ALLIANCE MEETING! 🎄
We’re getting into the festive spirit early this year!

The Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance is meeting on Wednesday 26th November, and thanks to our friends at Real Life Community Group, attendees will enjoy a free Christmas lunch with some delicious festive treats.

This is the perfect chance to connect, collaborate, share ideas, and celebrate the end of a huge year together.

🗓 Wednesday 26 November 2025
⏰ 1:00pm – 2:00pm
📍 9 Old Springhill Rd, Coniston

With special guest speakers:
✨ Kylie Jones – Rock n Rollers
✨ Emma Kendall – Prescribe Exercise

If you’ve been meaning to come along, this is the meeting to attend!
Let’s kick off the Christmas season with great food, great company, and a great community.