Interest-Based Meetups
Photography walks along the Yarra, book clubs at cosy cafes, music jam sessions, model building groups, anime watching nights. Regular meetups built around the things you care about most.
Regular social sessions built around something you love doing.
Interest-based meetups are regular social sessions built around something you love doing. A photography group that meets at a different Melbourne location each fortnight, a book club at a quiet cafe in Fitzroy, a model-building group at a craft space, or a music jam where everyone brings their instrument and plays together.
Your support worker helps you join a meetup that matches your interests, or helps build a new group if there's nothing out there yet. They're there to support you socially, handle transport, and make sure the environment works for you. The shared interest gives everyone something to talk about from the first session.
These meetups are low-pressure and interest-led. Nobody has to perform or be "on". You show up, do the thing you love with people who love it too, and head home.
Experience info
- Regular sessions (2-3 hours each)
- Small groups with 3:1 support
- Bring your gear or we provide materials
- NDIS Core Supports funded
Every meetup is organised around your interests.
Supported so you can focus on what you enjoy.
Interest matching
We find or create a meetup group based on your specific interests. Photography, reading, music, crafts, anime, trains, baking, or anything else. If you're passionate about it, we'll find others who are too.
Door-to-door transport
Your support worker picks you up and brings you home after each meetup. The drive there is a chance to settle in and get ready, and the drive home is a chance to debrief.
Venue & materials
We book the right space for each meetup. Quiet cafes, community rooms, outdoor locations, or specialist venues. If the meetup needs materials, we bring them.
Social facilitation
Your support worker helps ease the social side. Introductions, conversation starters, and gentle support when the group dynamic shifts. They're there so you can relax and enjoy the people.
Consistency & routine
Meetups run on a regular schedule so they become part of your routine. Same day, same time, same group. You know who will be there each week.
Flexible pace & breaks
Meetups are social, but they're structured around the activity. If you need a quiet moment, your support worker helps you step out. You join in as much as you want.
A meetup session, start to finish.
You arrive at the cafe in Fitzroy with your camera. Three others are already there, comparing photos from last week's walk along the river. Someone shows you a shot of a heron you missed, and you scroll through yours and find one they want to see. On the way home from the book club, you and your support worker talk about the chapter you just discussed. You disagree about the ending. The conversation lasts the whole drive and picks up again next week. It's the third month of the book club and you've finished four books together. You know everyone's reading style. Sarah always finishes first. James always picks the next one. You're the one who remembers the details everyone else forgets. Halfway through the photography walk, you sit on a bench by the Yarra while the group keeps moving. Your support worker stays with you. You watch a pelican land on the water and get the best photo of the day from right there.
Who this is for
- People with a hobby or interest they want to share with others
- Anyone looking for regular social connection built around shared passions
- People who find socialising easier when there's a shared activity to focus on
- Those who want friendships that grow naturally over time
- Anyone who wants to try group settings with support nearby
- People who enjoy photography, reading, music, crafts, or creative pursuits
Tell us what you're passionate about.
We'll find or build the right meetup group for you. NDIS Core Supports funded.
Get StartedWhat an interest-based meetup costs, how it fits your plan, and how to join your first session.
What it costs
Interest-based meetups are priced under Assistance with Social & Community Participation, a Core Supports category, following the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. What you pay depends on the type of support and whether the session runs on a weekday, evening, weekend or overnight. If this category isn't in your plan, fee-for-service is available. The cost is always confirmed with you in writing before you start.
Am i eligible?
A meetup can usually be funded through Assistance with Social & Community Participation if it's included in your plan. A support coordinator can help you check, and fee-for-service is available if you don't currently have a plan.
Where we work
We're based in Thomastown and run meetups across Greater Melbourne's northern, western and eastern suburbs, at cafes, community spaces and outdoor locations that suit the interest.
How to start
Tell us your interests. We'll connect you with people who share them.
Tell us your interest and we'll find your group.
Tell us your interests. We'll connect you with people who share them.
Call (03) 9968 7766