What Is Innovative Community Participation (NDIS Code 0116)?
Innovative Community Participation (NDIS Registration Group 0116, item 09_008_0116_6_3) sits under Capacity Building – Increased Social and Community Participation.
Unlike general community access supports, 0116 is specifically intended to help you develop skills, confidence and independence through non‑traditional, creative and flexible activities that go beyond standard disability day programs.
Innovative Community Participation (NDIS Code 0116) at Raha Community Care is about designing new, creative ways for you to connect with your community, build real-world skills and move towards greater independence – not just attending standard programs.
How 0116 Differs From Our 0125 Community Participation
Both services involve getting out into the community – but they are funded and delivered for different reasons.
Code 0125 – Participation in Community, Social and Civic Activities
focuses on helping you take part in everyday social and community activities, often funded from your Core supports.
Code 0116 – Innovative Community Participation
focuses on capacity building – structured, often time‑limited activities that help you learn new skills, try innovative pathways and become more independent in the long term.
At Raha Community Care, many participants use 0116 and 0125 together: 0116 to design and build skills for the life you want, and 0125 to keep participating regularly in the activities you’ve discovered and enjoy.
What Innovative Community Participation Can Look Like
0116 is intentionally flexible. It is about thinking differently and creating opportunities that fit your interests, values and ambitions.
Examples might include:
- Creative and digital projects
- Digital art, podcasting, content creation or adaptive photography
- Coding clubs, game design, virtual reality experiences or creative technology workshops
- Micro‑enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Exploring small business ideas such as selling art or crafts, baking, tech support or online services
- Mentoring around branding, pricing, customer service and using digital tools to run a micro‑enterprise
- Innovative skills development
- Tailored mentoring to build social confidence, emotional regulation and decision‑making in real‑world settings
- Structured programs that combine skill‑building with community involvement – for example, joining a community garden while learning project planning and teamwork
- New ways of engaging with community
- Trying adaptive or inclusive sports that aren’t available through typical programs
- Participating in community research projects, creative collaborations, tech meet‑ups or social innovation initiatives
What makes these activities “innovative” is not just that they’re unusual – it is that they are person‑centred, creative, and designed to build your capacity rather than simply provide supervision.
Our Approach at Raha: Co‑Designed, Nurse‑Informed, Culturally Aware
Raha Community Care’s Innovative Community Participation service is built around three pillars that set us apart.
Co‑design with you from day one
We do not offer a one‑size‑fits‑all program. Instead, we sit down with you (and your family or support coordinator if you wish) to map out your interests, strengths and big ideas, then co‑design projects and experiences that genuinely excite you.
Nurse‑informed planning for complex needs
For participants with health or high‑intensity support needs, our registered nurses help ensure that innovative activities remain safe, realistic and sustainable – while still stretching you towards new skills and environments.
Multilingual and culturally responsive practice
We understand that “innovation” looks different in every culture. Our multilingual team works with you to design activities that respect your language, faith, family expectations and community roles, so you can grow without losing connection to who you are.
Who Is Innovative Community Participation For?
Innovative Community Participation (0116) may be right for you if:
- You have funding in Capacity Building – Increased Social and Community Participation or a specific line item for Innovative Community Participation in your NDIS plan
- You want to move beyond traditional group programs and explore new, creative ways to be part of your community
- You are interested in building skills related to social confidence, communication, work readiness, creativity, leadership or community contribution
- You may need a more flexible, tailored approach because mainstream programs do not quite fit your interests, culture or support needs
If you are unsure whether your plan includes funding that can be used for 0116, we can help you and your support coordinator review your plan and talk to the NDIA or planner where needed
How We Work With You – Step by Step
We use a simple, collaborative process so your 0116 supports stay focused on outcomes, not just activities.
1. Explore possibilities
2. Clarify goals and funding
3. Design your innovative pathway
4. Support in real‑world settings
5. Review, refine and transition
Because 0116 is capacity‑building, we regularly review progress and plan how you can either continue at a higher level of independence or transition elements of your program into other funding areas such as 0125 community participation or employment‑related supports.
Linking 0116 With Our Other Services
At Raha Community Care, Innovative Community Participation does not sit in isolation. It is part of an integrated pathway of supports.
With 0125 – Participation in Community, Social and Civic Activities
With 0108 – Assistance with Travel and Transport Arrangements
Where transport is a barrier to accessing innovative activities, our transport supports can help you get there safely and on time, especially across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
With our clinical and daily living supports
If you also receive nursing, high‑intensity or daily personal supports from Raha, our nurse‑led team can coordinate everything so your health, energy and routines align with your innovative projects rather than work against them.
Ready to Explore What “Innovative” Can Mean for You?
If you are looking for more than standard community programs – and want to explore creative, skill‑building opportunities that reflect your culture, interests and ambitions – Raha Community Care’s Innovative Community Participation (NDIS Code 0116) can help.
Reach out to discuss your current NDIS plan, your ideas (even the big, unusual ones) and how we can work together to design a pathway that connects you with your community in new, meaningful and genuinely innovative ways.
All Our Services
Get Started Today
GET IN TOUCH
NDIS participant, family member, or support coordinator making a referral — our team is here to help. Start a no-pressure conversation today.