At Community Services, going out into the community is about more than visiting places—it’s an opportunity for people to build skills, confidence, and independence. One of the key ways we do this is through travel training. Travel training teaches participants to use public transport safely and confidently and find their way around their community.
Participants learn about buses, trains, travel cards, and timetables, as well as how to recognise stops, landmarks, and routes. Most importantly, they learn how to travel to their destination and return home safely.
Staff support participants step-by-step as they learn these skills, practising routes together until they feel confident travelling on their own. In one recent example, a participant began travel training after feeling anxious about using public transport, particularly after changes at home meant his mum was no longer able to drive him to his sessions.
To help build his confidence, a staff member met him at Schofields train station and worked alongside him over a one-month period. Together, they practised reading train timetables, checking station boards, using transport apps, and travelling to and from the Seven Hills Ability Options office.
Through consistent support and repetition, the participant became more familiar with the route and the public transport system. He is now able to travel independently to appointments, demonstrating increased confidence and independence, as well as gaining an important life skill that supports community access and future employment opportunities.
These hands-on skills align with NDIS goals, helping participants develop practical life skills, make decisions, join in community activities, and socialise. Travel training gives participants real confidence to take part in their community on their own terms.
At our Seven Hills Day Program, outings are carefully planned to match participants’ interests, goals, and support needs. Whether it’s visiting a café, exploring a park, or joining a local activity, each trip is designed to give participants opportunities to learn, practise new skills, and grow more independent.
Through travel training, participants gain more than just transport skills—they gain confidence, independence, and the freedom to engage more fully with the community around them.
