Think Outside the Shift: Organising Epic Outings That Go Beyond the Ordinary
- Ryan Tindal
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
At Skilled Carer, we talk a lot about client-centred care. But what if we reimagined what care could look like when we step outside of the usual support hours? What if we shifted from “clocking on” to showing up — in ways that are fun, creative, and community-connected?
The Magic of Going Off-Roster
Let’s start here: Comic-Con. PAX. SupaNova. MotorX. Local night markets, arts festivals, or even obscure little steam-train shows that roll through once a year. These aren’t just events — they’re experiences. And for many people we support, especially those with a keen interest in pop culture, gaming, crafts, cars, or community buzz, these events can be incredibly stimulating, joyful, and validating.
But here’s the catch: most of these take place outside the standard Mon–Fri, 9–3 window. That’s where you — yes, you — come in.
Take the Initiative: Be a Leader, Not Just a Support Worker
Organising something special doesn’t need to be grand or costly. It just needs heart. Have a participant who loves Marvel or anime? Plan ahead for Comic-Con and invite them. Maybe there’s someone in your caseload who talks endlessly about engines — circle MotorX on the calendar and start prepping now. Want to help a quieter participant build confidence? A small group trip to a chilled Sunday market could be the perfect entry point.
The key is this: don’t wait for someone else to suggest it. Take the initiative. Step up as a leader. Bring the idea to the participant, their family or plan manager, and advocate for how it fits their NDIS goals (community access, social engagement, confidence-building, etc.).
Think Small, Act Big
You don’t need to wrangle a 12-person bus trip to call it a success. A powerful model we’ve seen is just you and one participant — or a small group of two or three — heading to an event you’ve chosen together. It’s intimate, manageable, and often far more rewarding.
Plus, it opens up new ways of working. Some support workers have negotiated weekend shifts to make it happen. Others propose a support swap or add-on session as part of their monthly schedule. What matters is intention and follow-through.
Planning Tips to Get You Started
Work Backwards: Choose the event, check the dates, and start planning a month or two out.
NDIS-Align It: Tie the outing to a specific goal in the participant’s plan.
Involve Them Early: Get the participant excited by co-creating the plan, ownership is key!!! — research the event, pick out outfits, make a visual schedule, etc.
Prep the Details: Tickets, parking, food, quiet zones, rest breaks — get it all sorted.
Debrief After: Capture the joy! Take photos (with permission), do a write-up, and share the success with families.
Final Thought: You Set the Culture
When you go above and beyond in a genuine, joyful way, you’re not just supporting someone — you’re inspiring them. And you’re also inspiring your peers.
At Skilled Carer, leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about actions. And sometimes, it’s as simple as saying:
“Hey, I saw this thing on next month. I think James would love it. Let’s make it happen.”
Let’s keep reimagining what support can look like. One Comic-Con at a time.
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