http://www.growyourabilities.com.au/

Grow Your Abilities, West Burleigh (2026)

31/03/2026

🏳️‍⚧️ International Transgender Day of Visibility

Today we recognise International Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to celebrate transgender and gender diverse people while raising awareness of the experiences, challenges, and contributions of the transgender community.

Visibility helps create understanding, acceptance, and safer communities where people can live authentically as themselves.

At Grow Your Abilities, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, respected, and supported for who they are. Diversity makes our communities stronger, and inclusion ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Today we stand in support of equality, acceptance, and visibility for transgender and gender diverse people. 🏳️‍⚧️💙

30/03/2026

💡 Tip of the Month: Plan Rollovers and Reviews
As your NDIS plan approaches its end date, you may receive a letter, email, or phone call from the NDIA advising that your plan will be automatically rolled over for another period.

If you do receive a rollover notice, please let us know so we can review your plan together and make sure the funding still aligns with your current supports and goals.

If you do not receive a rollover notice, it usually means the NDIA may be planning a plan reassessment or review instead. In this case, it is important to start preparing early.

We recommend beginning preparation 2–3 months before your plan ends. This allows time to gather supporting evidence such as:

• therapy reports or progress updates
• examples of progress toward your goals
• areas where supports may need to increase
• recommendations for equipment, therapy, or additional supports

If you receive any communication from the NDIA, please forward it to our team so we can support you through the process and ensure everything is prepared in time.

26/03/2026

1. Consultation on New Planning Rules Has Now Closed
Public consultation on the new NDIS planning framework rules officially closed in early March.

Participants, families, providers and advocacy groups were invited to provide feedback on how the new needs assessment and planning model will work in practice. The NDIA will now review submissions before finalising the rules that will guide the future planning process.

The rollout is still expected to begin gradually from mid-2026, meaning most current plans will continue as normal for now.

2. Expansion of Planning Framework Trials
March saw the next stage of live testing of the new planning system.

The NDIA expanded trials to include more participants and more complex planning scenarios. These trials are helping refine:

• how Support Needs Assessments will be conducted
• how budgets are calculated
• how plans will transition from the current model

Feedback from these trials will shape how the final system operates.

3. Increased Focus on Evidence for Supports
Throughout March the NDIA and sector bodies continued emphasising the importance of strong supporting evidencewhen requesting funding or plan changes.

Participants and providers are being encouraged to ensure requests for supports are backed by:

• current allied health reports
• functional evidence of disability impact
• clear links between supports and participant goals

This trend reflects the NDIA’s broader focus on scheme sustainability and consistent decision-making.

4. Continued Integrity and Compliance Activity
Regulators continued focusing on scheme integrity and provider compliance.

Recent activity across the sector included:

• investigations into questionable provider practices
• warnings about misleading advertising targeting NDIS participants
• increased scrutiny of billing and service delivery practices

These measures aim to strengthen safeguards and protect participants.

5. Ongoing Pressure on the Scheme
March also continued the wider national discussion around the future sustainability of the NDIS.

Government, advocacy groups and the disability sector continue debating:

• how to manage rising scheme costs
• how to ensure fair access to supports
• how reforms will affect participants long term

While many changes are still being developed, the focus remains on building a system that is sustainable while still providing strong supports for people with disability.

24/03/2026

We are excited to introduce Wholistic Therapy, an Occupational Therapy service supporting NDIS participants across the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast.

Wholistic Therapy takes a holistic, person-centred approach, recognising the connection between physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Their team works alongside participants to build practical skills, increase independence, and support people to achieve the goals that are most meaningful to them.

Their services include Functional Capacity Assessments, Assistive Technology assessments, home modification assessments, housing assessments (SDA, SIL and ILO), skill building, neurological rehabilitation, and support with community participation. They also offer specialised education around relationships, intimacy, and dating, which can be an important part of wellbeing and independence.

With experience supporting participants in both metro and rural communities, Wholistic Therapy aims to make high-quality occupational therapy accessible to people across our region.

If you are looking for Occupational Therapy supports or would like to explore whether this service could be a good fit for your goals, feel free to reach out to our team and we can help connect you. 🌿

23/03/2026

🐣 Easter Long Weekend Reminder

With the Easter long weekend approaching, it’s a good time to check in about your supports.

Did you know that public holiday support rates are higher than standard weekday rates under the NDIS? This means supports delivered on public holidays can use more of your funding.

If you are planning to have support over the Easter long weekend, it’s a good idea to check with your Support Coordinator to see if your plan has enough funding to cover public holiday rates.

Public holidays during the Easter period include:
• Good Friday
• Easter Saturday
• Easter Sunday
• Easter Monday

If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out to our team and we can help review your funding and make sure everything is organised ahead of time.

Planning ahead helps ensure your supports can continue smoothly over the long weekend. 🌸

21/03/2026

💙 World Down Syndrome Day 2026 💛
Together Against Loneliness
Today, on the 21st day of the 3rd month, we recognise the uniqueness of Trisomy 21 and celebrate people with Down syndrome across the world.

This year’s theme, Together Against Loneliness, reminds us that true inclusion is not just about being present in a space. It is about belonging. It is about connection. It is about meaningful relationships.

Loneliness can impact anyone, but people with disability are at higher risk of social isolation when communities are not inclusive, accessible or welcoming.

We see the power of:
• Genuine friendships
• Inclusive education and employment
• Community participation
• Supported decision making
• Families and allies standing alongside

People with Down syndrome bring joy, determination, creativity and perspective to our communities. When we create environments that value strengths rather than focus on limitations, everyone benefits.

Let’s commit to building communities where people with Down syndrome are not just included, but truly connected.

Because inclusion is not charity.
It is community.

💙💛

19/03/2026

Team building but make it ✨perfume✨
Turns out we’re better at coordinating supports than coordinating scents… but we had fun trying 😂🌸

19/03/2026

19 March 2026
National Close the Gap Day

Today we acknowledge National Close the Gap Day and this year’s theme:
Community Voices: The Pathway to Justice, Equality and Healing.

Close the Gap is about improving health, wellbeing and life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is about recognising the ongoing impact of systemic disadvantage and committing to meaningful change.

Justice begins by listening.
Equality begins with action.
Healing begins with truth.

Community voices must lead the way. First Nations peoples know what is needed for their families and communities. Self determination, culturally safe services and genuine partnership are essential to achieving better outcomes.

As service providers, we have a responsibility to:
• Deliver culturally respectful and safe supports
• Challenge systems that create inequity
• Listen deeply and act intentionally
• Support access to healthcare, housing, education and community connection

Closing the gap is not a one day acknowledgement. It is an ongoing commitment to equity, accountability and change.

Today we stand alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and commit to continuing the work toward justice, equality and healing.

16/03/2026

The Carer Gateway offers a range of free online resources designed to support carers in their role.

Access a range of free resources, including:

🔎 finding support

🫱🏼‍🫲🏼 connecting with peers

👩🏼‍💻developing new skills

🦺 preparing for emergencies.

Learn more at 💻 https://ow.ly/XQcy50YpWy7

📷 Image: Carer Gateway

12/03/2026

⏰ Office Hours Reminder
Just a friendly reminder of our office hours at Grow Your Abilities.

Our team is available:

Monday to Thursday
7:30am – 5:30pm (QLD time)

We do not have our work devices on during the weekend, and emails or messages received outside of office hours will be responded to the next business day.

We are committed to providing consistent, focused support during our working hours while also maintaining healthy boundaries so we can continue to show up well for everyone we support.

If something urgent arises outside of our office hours and you are at immediate risk, please contact appropriate emergency or crisis supports.

Thank you for your understanding and for working with us to keep communication clear and respectful 🤍

10/03/2026

Grounded Coordination & Support
Mindful Yoga Group Program for Teens & Young Adults
We are always excited to share programs that focus on building practical life skills in safe, supportive environments, especially for teens and young adults navigating emotional regulation and social connection.

Grounded Coordination & Support are offering a beautiful mindfulness based day program in the Tweed Heads / Coolangatta area designed specifically for young people.

🌱 What the Program Includes
This is not just a yoga class. It is a structured, skills based group that incorporates:

• Gentle yoga and movement
• Guided meditation
• Breathing techniques
• Emotional regulation strategies
• Mindful self compassion
• Communication skills
• Social skill development
• A supported shared lunch experience

The shared lunch is intentionally used as a practical space to practise communication, co regulation, and social confidence in a supported environment.

🧠 A Trauma Informed Approach
The program is facilitated by experienced practitioners with backgrounds in counselling, case management, and trauma informed wellbeing programs. The focus is on building transferable skills that support self regulation, connection, and confidence beyond the group setting.

📍 Program Details
• Tuesdays or Wednesdays
• 10am to 2pm
• Tweed Heads / Coolangatta
• Transport available if required
• Can be invoiced under Core or Capacity Building depending on goals

This may be particularly beneficial for participants working towards goals around emotional wellbeing, independence, social participation, or confidence building.

If you support a teen or young adult who could benefit from a gentle, structured, skills focused group environment, this could be a wonderful option to explore.

As always, if you would like support determining suitability or aligning this with a participant’s plan goals, reach out and we can talk it through. 🌿

Grow Your Abilities

31/03/2026

30/03/2026

26/03/2026

24/03/2026

23/03/2026

21/03/2026

19/03/2026

19/03/2026

16/03/2026

12/03/2026

10/03/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category