The first week in a new disability home is a chance to settle in and learn how daily routines work. You can talk about your preferences, support needs and what helps you feel comfortable.

A move brings practical details to work through, from shared spaces to household routines. The pace and experience will depend on you and your living arrangement.

This article explains what you may want to discuss during your first week, how to raise questions and what can help you feel more settled as you get to know your new home.

1. Attending local community events

During your first week in a new SIL house, you can begin exploring local events that match your interests. Start by finding out what feels manageable, then choose a nearby activity where you can meet someone through a shared interest. You could attend a class, watch a local sporting activity or join a community gathering. Going again can help you decide whether the group suits you.

You have a right to privacy and to choose your social relationships. Visitors and shared spaces can be discussed with the people you live with, including arrangements that respect everyone’s privacy. Ask how visitors are arranged in your home and how to raise concerns if these arrangements affect your relationships.

This video offers another perspective on building connections and support beyond paid staff:

Local library branches can be used as a starting point for finding community events. Check listings or ask staff at your public library about local activities. For an event farther from home, consider the route and travel arrangements before choosing a date. The Pursue Ability service areas page gives local information as you plan your next step.

Classes and interest groups can make conversation easier because the activity gives you something to talk about. At an art class, you might ask someone what they’re working on. At a book group, you could share something you enjoyed. You can also ask the organiser about access, the group format, noise and whether you can bring a support person.

Finding acceptance may mean connecting with people who share disability-related experiences. You could look for a disability-led online community or join a general group linked to a hobby. Online spaces can help you connect before meeting in person. Start by reading posts, then join a discussion or send a message when you feel ready.

Your NDIS plan may include Social and Community Participation under Capacity Building Supports. Check your plan’s stated supports and goals to see how a class or group relates to them. If you need help understanding how a planned activity fits, discuss it with your support coordinator or plan manager.

For a first outing, choose a familiar local location and decide how long you want to stay. Afterward, note what helped you take part, such as the venue, activity or travel plan. Those details can help you choose whether to return or try another local group.

2. Joining established social or support groups

An established group gives you a recurring place to meet people around a shared interest or experience. In Newcastle, you could look for a peer support group, a creative class, a board-game group or a social club. A regular meeting can make introductions easier because you see familiar members again. Choose a group that matches what you enjoy, rather than joining only because it is described as a disability group.

Ask the organiser what a typical session involves before you attend. A group might have a planned activity, a chat over refreshments or an outing. Knowing the format can help you decide what feels manageable. You can also ask whether first-time visitors can observe before joining in or bring someone they know to the first visit.

Group activities and outings give conversation a shared focus. At a craft session, you might ask someone what they’re making. During a board game, you can learn the rules together. If the group is planning an outing, find out what it involves and how long it usually takes. Join the parts that suit you, then decide whether you’d like to return.

Online groups can help you find people with similar experiences before meeting in person. Search social media for disability-led communities or groups connected to a hobby, such as gardening, gaming or photography. Read the group description and recent posts first, then follow its rules when asking to join or introducing yourself. A simple post about an interest or experience can give others an easy way to start a conversation.

General-interest online groups can be a good fit when you’d rather connect through a hobby than disability. A local Newcastle gardening group, for instance, gives members a shared topic without making disability the focus. You could comment on someone’s plant advice, share a photo of a project, or ask for beginner tips. Small exchanges can help you notice who communicates in a way that feels comfortable.

Choose what you share online. Start with details you’re comfortable making visible, such as a hobby or favourite activity. Keep your address, daily routine and private contact details to yourself until trust develops. If someone’s messages make you uncomfortable, you can stop replying or use the platform’s blocking and reporting tools. Moving from a group conversation to a private chat or call is optional, and you can set the pace.

After trying a group, note what worked: the activity, the conversation style or how easy it felt to take part. That can guide your next choice, whether it’s returning to the same group or trying a different Newcastle community. If support to explore community connections would help, you can learn about Pursue Ability’s support.

4. Safety features and support when making friends

Making friends should feel comfortable, not pressured. Before meeting someone, choose a familiar place in Newcastle and decide how long you want to stay. You can share your plans with someone you trust and arrange a check-in afterwards. For a first catch-up, a quiet café or shared activity may feel easier than a crowded venue.

Friendship can bring companionship and a sense of belonging. A regular conversation about a shared interest, such as music or gardening, gives you time to get to know someone. Connection may also make daily routines feel less solitary. It doesn’t replace health care or other support, and you can choose how much social contact suits you.

Ask about access before agreeing to meet. You could say, “I use a wheelchair. Is there step-free entry and an accessible toilet?” You can also ask about noise, seating, lighting or space to take a break. Clear requests help others understand what would make the meeting workable. They’re practical details, not something you need to apologise for.

Support workers can help you build connections by suggesting shared activities, supporting introductions and helping you practise starting a conversation. If housemates disagree, a worker can help everyone explain their views and work towards a solution together.

In a disability home, staff can adapt communication to your needs. Written or visual information may help if you’re deaf, while clear spoken descriptions of the room and activity may help if you’re blind. Allowing extra time to respond can also make conversation easier.

An inclusive home makes room for different comfort levels. You might enjoy a shared dinner, while a housemate prefers a short chat in the living room. Respecting closed doors, personal belongings and requests for quiet can help everyone feel more comfortable. Connection can grow through everyday moments, such as offering to make tea or asking before joining someone’s activity.

If you feel lonely or excluded, tell a trusted support worker what happened and what would help. If you feel unsafe, move somewhere you feel secure and contact someone you trust. You can also raise repeated concerns with the person responsible for your support or your support coordinator.

Try describing the issue with a specific example: “I’m left out when the group plans an outing. Can we discuss how invitations are shared?” A clear request gives others something practical to respond to. You can ask for a private conversation instead of raising it in a shared room.

After a difficult interaction, note what happened and what response you need. You might request a quieter meeting, clearer household communication or support to discuss a disagreement. Taking concerns one step at a time can help you protect your boundaries while leaving room for relationships to develop.

5. Making friends when leaving home is difficult

When leaving home takes planning or feels overwhelming, friendship can still start with small, repeatable interactions. In a shared home, a quick hello in the kitchen or a chat in the living room may feel easier than arranging an outing. You might ask a housemate what they watched recently, then leave the conversation there. A small step gives you room to notice what feels comfortable.

Choose a low-pressure way to connect from home. For example, message someone you enjoyed speaking with and suggest a brief call, an online game or watching a film together. A specific invitation is easier to answer than “we should catch up sometime”. You could write, “Would you like to play a game online on Thursday?” If they’re busy, suggest another time or let the conversation rest.

Online groups can make contact possible without travel or a busy venue. Look for a moderated group focused on an interest, such as music, films or a hobby. Read posts before contributing, then respond to someone’s comment. A short exchange about a favourite album may be enough to find common ground. Keep your personal details private until you feel ready to share them.

At home, shared interests can create natural conversation. If a housemate likes the same television series, ask about a favourite character. If you both enjoy music, offer to share a playlist. Everyone has different energy levels and social preferences, so a brief interaction can be a complete social step. You don’t need to turn every greeting into a long conversation.

Try building a simple routine around a familiar point of contact. You might join a shared meal when it suits you, sit in a common area briefly or send a message after an activity. Repeating a manageable action can help others recognise you and give conversations a familiar starting point. If a particular time or space feels too busy, choose a quieter moment.

You might find one-to-one contact easier than a group conversation. Ask a housemate to have tea in a quieter shared area, or send a message before starting a chat. An opening such as “I’m still getting used to the house. What do you like doing here?” gives the other person something simple to respond to. You can end the conversation politely when you need a break.

If starting conversations feels difficult, practise a few phrases with someone you trust. You could try “Can I join you?” or “Would you like to talk later?” A support person can help you think through what to say or plan a relaxed shared activity. The aim is to find an approach that feels like yours, not to perform a particular kind of sociability.

After a conversation, notice one useful detail: what topic helped, where you felt at ease or when you needed a pause. That information can help you develop connections at a pace that suits you. A friendship may grow from an unexpected joke, a shared interest or several small chats. Not every interaction will become a close bond, and each friendly exchange can still make a new home feel more familiar.

5. What social activities are available in Australian disability accommodation?

Activities depend on residents’ interests, access needs and household routines. Some homes may arrange a shared dinner, a sports activity or an outing into the community. These can offer chances to spend time together without making every interaction a formal introduction. Join an activity that interests you, suggest an alternative or choose to sit one out.

A shared meal can create an easy opening for conversation. You might help choose a meal, set the table or ask someone what they enjoy cooking. If a busy dinner feels difficult, a quieter cup of tea in a shared area can be another way to spend time with a housemate. Take part in a way that suits your comfort and preferences.

Sports and movement-based activities can be adapted to different interests and abilities. Residents might watch a match together, try a gentle activity or talk about a team they follow. Beforehand, agree on what taking part means for you. Watching, joining for part of the session or taking a break can all be ways to participate.

Community outings may include visiting a Newcastle park, browsing a local market or attending an event. The best fit depends on practical details such as transport, venue access, noise and how long you want to stay. You can help plan by choosing a destination, checking the route and agreeing on a quieter option if the venue feels busy.

Activities at home can be just as social. A movie night gives housemates a shared topic afterward, while a puzzle or board game offers a focus beyond conversation. A music session might mean sharing a favourite song rather than performing. These low-pressure options let people connect through an interest, even when they prefer smaller gatherings.

Residents may enjoy different activities or want different amounts of company. A helpful household plan makes room for shared events and personal time. Housemates could choose a regular activity together while keeping other evenings open. Clear invitations help: say what the activity is, where it will happen and that joining is optional.

If you’re settling into a new home, suggest an activity that feels achievable and meaningful to you. Start with a simple idea, such as choosing a film or sharing lunch, then notice what makes the experience work. A conversation afterward can help shape the next activity around what residents enjoyed and what they’d change.

Want to explore support connected with living and taking part in your community? Want to be a participant?

Pursue Ability: Supported Independent Living (SIL)

Pursue Ability provides Supported Independent Living (SIL) if you’re considering a shared home and want support to build social connections at your own pace. You can talk through the routines and activities that matter to you, such as quiet time, sharing a meal or exploring an interest group. SIL support is tailored to individual needs and goals, so your preferences can inform the conversation.

Supported Independent Living may be relevant if you want help with everyday living while developing more independence. If you’re unsure what to discuss, start with one question about the social support or home routine you want.

You’re welcome to contact Pursue Ability to talk about your next step.

Choose a next step that feels manageable

Working out how to make friends in a new disability home can start with naming what would make connection easier for you. You might want help exploring a group, planning an activity or building a comfortable routine with housemates. There’s no single right pace, and you can adjust your plans as your needs change.

Pursue Ability offers Supported Independent Living (SIL), day programs and allied health services. These may be relevant if you’re considering support with daily living, structured activities or allied health needs. The right starting point depends on what you want help with and your circumstances.

You can talk with Pursue Ability about the support you’re considering and the next step that suits you. Want to be a participant?

One conversation can help you clarify what matters most. You can take it from there, at your own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

But what kind of group should I join?

Choose a group connected to something you already enjoy, then consider what would make attending workable. If you like cooking, look for a class where people prepare food together. If conversation feels tiring, a hands-on activity may give you another focus. Before joining, ask about the session format and access details. Try a meeting, then decide whether its pace and atmosphere suit you.

How do you make friends without going to events?

Start with a shared interest and a small, regular exchange. You could join an online discussion about a favourite television series, share a tip in a hobby forum or invite someone to play an online game. Ask a follow-up question about their interests and let the conversation develop naturally. If you feel comfortable, suggest a private chat. You can keep the connection online for as long as that suits you.

How do you meet people when you can’t get out much?

Choose contact that fits your energy and routine. A message, online group discussion or scheduled phone call can help you become familiar with others without travelling. You might choose one conversation at a time rather than trying to keep up with a busy group chat. Agree on a contact method and time that work for you. If plans change, a short message can explain when you may be available again.

How can you make friends after moving into a disability home in Australia?

Learning how to make friends in a new disability home can begin with getting familiar with the people and routines around you. Choose a shared activity, such as a meal or game, and take part in a way that feels comfortable. Ask a housemate about an interest or suggest an activity you enjoy. Give yourself time to learn who you connect with, without expecting every new interaction to become a friendship.

How can you meet housemates and start conversations in a new group home?

Use everyday moments to start a conversation. You could ask a housemate what music they like, offer to help choose a film or say hello when you pass in a shared area. Keep the first chat brief if that feels easier. Notice whether they seem interested in continuing, and respect it if they want quiet time. A familiar greeting can make later conversations feel less awkward.

How can residents find local clubs, sports, and community groups in Australia?

Search your local council’s website for recreation, community or inclusion activities. Public library noticeboards and council event listings can also point to nearby groups. For a sport or hobby, search for the activity alongside your suburb or town. Ask the organiser about the session format, participation options and access. A support coordinator can help you explore community connections that fit your interests and support plan.

How can you stay safe when meeting new people in a group home or online?

Keep personal information private until you feel ready to share it. For an online contact, stay on the group platform at first and avoid sharing your address or daily routine. For an in-person catch-up, choose a shared setting and tell someone you trust about your plans. You can end a conversation or leave if you feel uncomfortable. If a housemate’s behaviour concerns you, speak with a trusted worker or support person.