Local & Activities

A guide to the special schools and special assistance schools on the Sunshine Coast, and the NDIS supports that can help when your young person finishes school, from Employment Assistance to community access and group programs.

Looking for accessible activities on the Sunshine Coast? There is more on offer than many families realise. Free beach wheelchairs, all abilities playgrounds, a rainforest you can explore in an all-terrain wheelchair, and low cost council programs open to every ability. This guide brings together accessible things to do on the Sunshine Coast for people with disability, their families and support workers. Most of it is free or low cost, and much of it can be part of NDIS-funde

Welcome to another edition of our Provider Spotlight series, where we sit down with the allied health professionals and local providers we love working alongside. This time we caught up with Brady, physiotherapist and co-founder of Pinnacle Physio and Performance here on the Gold Coast. No long essays here, just honest answers about the work, the people and what good physiotherapy actually looks like. Tell us a bit about yourself and Pinnacle Physio and Performance, and what

If you are the parent of a child with disability on the Gold Coast, you already know how much work goes into finding the right school. But what about what comes after? At Loving Life Support Services, we work alongside young people and their families every single day. We see first-hand how important the transition out of school is, and how overwhelming it can feel for families who are trying to figure out the next steps. This guide is designed to do two things: give you a cle

The teenage years are a time of rapid change. Friendships shift. Social expectations increase. Confidence can fluctuate week to week. For teens with disability, these years can bring additional challenges around connection, communication, and belonging. That is why well-designed social groups for teens with disability matter so much. When structured properly, they do far more than fill time. They create safe, predictable environments where teens can practise social skills, bu

Curious about how NDIS Community Access works? We break down what it means, why it’s important, and how Loving Life helps participants build confidence, connection, and independence.

When we started developing Skill Space, it was not because we wanted to add another program to our service list. It was because we kept seeing the same gap, over and over again. Many NDIS participants had supports in place. They had funding. They had workers. They had appointments. But they did not always have a place where they could simply show up, feel safe, and build real-life skills through everyday activities. They were often being asked to learn in environments that fe

Choosing an NDIS provider can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to make the right decision for yourself or someone you care about. On the Sunshine Coast, families often tell us they feel unsure about: what questions to ask how to tell providers apart whether a service will truly understand their needs While there is no single “perfect” provider, there are clear signs of a good one. Here is what families should look for when choosing an NDIS provider on the Sun

Finding the right NDIS group program can make a huge difference to confidence, connection, and overall wellbeing. At Loving Life Support Services, our Sunshine Coast NDIS group programs are designed to be welcoming, purposeful, and genuinely enjoyable, not overwhelming, and definitely not “one-size-fits-all”. We offer small, supportive groups where participants can build skills, form real connections, and feel comfortable being themselves. Which Sunshine Coast groups can you

Speech therapy can play a huge role in helping people communicate, connect, and participate more confidently in everyday life. In this provider spotlight, we’re introducing Lucy, Speech Pathologist and owner of Connect the Words Speech Pathology. Lucy has over 18 years of experience working across hospitals, rehabilitation services, and community settings, with a strong focus on adolescents and adults. Below, she shares her journey into speech pathology, clears up common misc

SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is one of the more accessible and disability-aware attractions on the Sunshine Coast, making it a popular choice for NDIS participants, families, and support workers. With step-free access throughout, clear viewing areas, and a calm indoor environment, it can be a great option for participants who enjoy animals and learning, without the intensity of larger theme parks. Below is a practical overview of accessibility, sensory considerations, and things t

Many neurodivergent young men know the social rules but struggle to use them in busy, real-world places. Here's why practice out in the community and real friendships help, what to look for in a group, and how our Social & Skills group on the Gold Coast works.

NDIS group programs can be a powerful way to build confidence, social skills, and independence, while also creating real connection with others. On the Gold Coast, group-based supports give participants opportunities to practise everyday skills, access the community safely, and form meaningful friendships within a structured and supportive environment. Whether you are a parent exploring options for a teen or an adult looking for social connection and routine, group programs c

School holidays can be one of the most challenging times of year for families of children and teens with disability. Routines disappear, usual supports pause, and parents are often left trying to juggle work, care, and limited options. For years, NDIS-funded school holiday programs helped fill that gap. However, updates to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits from 1 July 2025 have significantly changed how school holiday programs are treated. From 2026-27, prices ar

Everyone deserves the opportunity to take part in community life, no matter their abilities or support needs. On the Gold Coast, there are a growing number of accessible recreation programs designed to support people with disability to participate, connect with others, enjoy the outdoors, and stay active in ways that work for them. These programs sit outside the NDIS, but they can play a powerful role in building confidence, routine, and social connection. Many participants u

Year 12 is nearly done. For a lot of families on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, the end of school brings relief and worry in equal measure. School gave your young person a routine, five days a week, and people who knew them well. Then it stops. If your young person has an NDIS plan, there is funded support for what comes next, but it rarely falls into place on its own. This guide covers what changes when school ends, the supports available to NDIS school leavers, what is

Group programs can be an incredible way for NDIS participants to build social skills, try new things, and develop independence in a fun, supported environment. But if you are a parent or carer, you might be wondering what actually happens during one of these sessions. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at what a typical day at one of our Gold Coast group programs looks like, and why each element is designed the way it is. A structured but flexible schedule We believe in the pow

Meet Kelly, a passionate Support Coordinator working with NDIS participants on the Gold Coast. Kelly owns and operates Daffodil Therapy & Care. With a genuine love for helping others and a deep understanding of the NDIS, Kelly and her team play a vital role in helping people access the right supports, and get the most out of their plans. In today’s spotlight interview, we dive into what drives Kelly, the ins and outs of her role, and what she wants every participant and famil

"Inclusive" is a word that gets used a lot in disability services. But what does it actually mean in practice? At its heart, an inclusive disability day program is one where every participant feels safe, supported, and genuinely welcomed. Not just accommodated. Not just tolerated. Actually welcomed. Here is what that looks like in reality. Inclusion is more than just access True inclusion is not just about being allowed to participate. It is about being valued, supported, and

Choosing an NDIS provider on the Gold Coast is one of the most important decisions a participant or family will make. You are not just choosing a service. You are choosing the people who will show up in someone's life week after week, build trust over time, and support them toward goals that actually matter. Getting it right takes more than a Google search and a phone call. Here is what to actually look for. There is no perfect provider for everyone The best NDIS provider on