Walking into a group can be the hardest part.
A young person may want friends and still freeze when they enter a busy room. They might struggle to start a conversation, read the mood or work out where they fit. If previous group experiences have gone badly, staying quiet can feel safer than trying again.
A well-run activity gives everyone something else to focus on. Conversation can happen while making pizza, waiting for a turn at mini golf or figuring out the next clue in a city challenge. There is less pressure to be social on command.
Kickstart runs Group Activities and Camps for children, young people and young adults aged 8–30. If you are looking for a program for someone you support, you can submit a referral or call 1800 229 736 to talk about fit, interests and support needs.
Connection is easier when there is something to do
Direct conversation can feel intense, especially in a new group. A shared activity changes the shape of the interaction.
Someone can comment on the food they are preparing, ask about the fishing gear or laugh when a team challenge goes sideways. They do not need a clever opening line. The activity carries some of the social weight.
At Kickstart, an activity might involve cooking, sport, fishing, a creative project or an outing in the community. The choice matters. A young person who hates competitive sport may relax during a cook-off. Someone who finds indoor spaces noisy may do better outside. Interests give staff a useful place to begin.
This is why matching the activity to the group matters more than filling a calendar with impressive plans.
A good group has enough structure
Uncertainty can make a group feel harder than it needs to be. Young people should know where they are going, what is planned, who will be there and roughly how the day will run.
Good preparation does not mean every minute is locked in. It means staff have thought about the group before everyone arrives. They know how many people are attending, what support may be needed and what to do if the original plan stops working.
The best structure is often quiet. Staff greet people as they arrive. They explain the next step. They make introductions without putting anyone on display. If someone needs a break, there is a way to take one without feeling as though they have failed.
That gives a young person room to warm up at their own pace.
Social confidence grows through ordinary moments
Progress in a group can look small from the outside.
A young person stays for the full session after leaving early last time. They ask another person for an ingredient. They make a joke. They handle losing a game without walking away. They tell a staff member that the room is too loud before becoming overwhelmed.
Those moments matter because confidence tends to grow through experience, not explanation. The young person learns that they can enter the group, take part and recover when something feels awkward.
The NDIS social inclusion and community access research found that social and community activities can support belonging, connection, inclusion and confidence. The activity alone does not create that result. The environment and support around it make a difference.
Staff should support the group without taking it over
Good group work needs active staff. It should not depend on the loudest person setting the tone while everybody else tries to keep up.
Staff may help two people discover a shared interest, explain an unfamiliar activity or notice that someone is drifting away from the group. They can slow things down, change the pairing or give a young person a practical role that helps them join without being singled out.
There is judgment involved. Too little support can leave someone isolated in the middle of the group. Too much can make every interaction feel managed.
The aim is to help connection happen naturally while staying close enough to step in when needed.
Taking part does not have to look the same for everyone
Some young people arrive ready to lead. Others watch for a while before joining. Both can be valid ways to enter a group.
A first session may go well because the young person talks to one person and decides to come back. They might join one part of the activity, then sit out another. They may need a familiar worker nearby until the setting feels less uncertain.
Pushing for instant participation can undo the sense of safety staff are trying to build. A gradual start often gives the young person a better chance of developing confidence that lasts beyond one session.
If you are a parent or Support Coordinator, ask how the program handles this. “What happens if they need time to settle in?” will tell you more than a list of activities.
What to ask before choosing a group activity
Start with the practical details. Ask about the age mix, group size, staff support and how the activity is matched to the people attending. Find out what happens if someone becomes anxious, needs a quieter space or decides not to join part of the plan.
It also helps to ask what the program is trying to achieve. A fun day is worthwhile, but families and care teams may also be looking for opportunities to practise communication, build routine or feel more comfortable in community settings.
Funding and suitability depend on the person’s circumstances, goals and current NDIS plan. Kickstart’s 8–30 age range describes who our service supports. It does not guarantee that a particular activity will be funded or suitable.
How Kickstart approaches group activities
Kickstart’s mission is: “We exist to inspire hope, create belonging, and unlock potential in young people.”
For group activities, belonging begins with how the young person is welcomed. Staff take time to understand interests, communication and support needs before assuming that a popular activity will suit everyone.
Group Activities and Camps are separate parts of Kickstart’s offer, although both may create opportunities for shared experiences and connection. Youth Mentoring and community access may also suit a young person who needs more individual support before a group feels manageable.
You can explore Kickstart’s services or view the current Group Activities and Camps schedule.
Talk with Kickstart
To discuss whether a group activity may suit a child, young person or young adult you support, submit a referral, contact Kickstart or call 1800 229 736.
Frequently asked questions
How can group activities build social confidence?
They give young people a shared focus and supported opportunities to communicate, cooperate and spend time with peers. Confidence may grow as the setting becomes more familiar and the young person has experiences that go well.
What if a young person feels anxious in groups?
Ask how the program supports gradual participation. A suitable starting point may involve a smaller group, a familiar activity, clear information beforehand or permission to watch before joining.
Are Kickstart’s Group Activities the same as Camps?
No. Group Activities and Camps are separate services, although both may involve shared experiences and supported connection. The current activities page shows what is coming up.
Does NDIS funding cover group activities?
It may in some circumstances, depending on the person’s goals, plan and the support being delivered. Families and Support Coordinators should check the individual arrangement with the plan manager, NDIS contact or relevant funding professional.
What age range does Kickstart support?
Kickstart supports children, young people and young adults aged 8–30. Suitability is discussed before participation is confirmed.