Group programs and mental health recovery
Mental health recovery can become lonely work when everything happens one-to-one: one appointment, one support worker, one conversation at a time. Groups do something different. They create a small, steady place to practise connection, learn alongside people who understand parts of the experience, and be more than the thing you are managing.
This does not mean every group is right for every person. Some people need one-to-one support first. Some need a quiet introduction, a smaller group, a support person nearby, or permission to leave early. Good group programs should make room for that. The aim is not to push people into social confidence on command. The aim is to make connection possible at a human pace.
Why groups can matter in recovery
For many people living with psychosocial disability, isolation is both a result of mental health challenges and a barrier to getting steadier. It is hard to build confidence in the community if every attempt feels exposed, unpredictable or exhausting. It is hard to practise social skills when you are out of practice. It is hard to believe you are not the only one when you rarely sit in a room with people who understand.
A good group can help with three practical things.
First, it offers connection without requiring instant closeness. You can attend, listen, join an activity, have a short conversation, or simply get used to being in the room. That can be a real step when leaving home or being around others has become hard.
Second, it normalises the unevenness of recovery. In a group, people often notice that others also have hard weeks, restart after gaps, need prompting, or find ordinary tasks bigger than they look. That does not make the difficulty disappear, but it can reduce shame.
Third, it supports learning by doing. Skills like planning a meal, catching public transport, managing a conversation, speaking up for a need or trying a new routine often land differently when you practise them beside other people. You see different ways to try, and you get the quiet message that progress does not have to look identical for everyone.
Group programs should still be purposeful. "Come and sit with strangers" is not enough. The best groups have a clear focus, a facilitator who can hold the room safely, and enough flexibility for participants to shape the pace.
How NDIS funding can fit
NDIS group programs are often funded through a participant's Core supports, especially the support category linked to social and community participation. The NDIS explains Core supports as funding that can help with everyday activities and getting involved in the community, including support to take part in group or social activities when that aligns with your plan and goals. You can read the current NDIS overview at What are core supports.
That does not mean every group is automatically claimable for every person. The support still needs to be an NDIS support, relate to your disability support needs, fit your plan goals and be reasonable to purchase with your funding. A plan manager, support coordinator or provider should help you check this before anything starts.
For some people, group support is attractive because it can use funding differently from one-to-one support. It may offer a structured way to build connection or skills without needing a support worker beside you for every step. For others, one-to-one support remains necessary before a group is realistic. Both can be true.
If you are not sure whether your plan can pay for a group, ask before registering or note it in the form. A proper response should be plain: what the group is, what support category it may sit under, what information needs checking, and whether you need to speak with your plan manager or coordinator first.
The groups Ellira runs
Ellira's programs and groups are interest-first. That means groups are scheduled when enough people in a region register interest, rather than announcing fixed venues and dates before there is a real group to build. It is slower in one sense, but more respectful: the program can be shaped around who is actually interested.
The current program areas are:
| Program | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Peer Connection Groups | Regular, facilitated meetups for people with lived experience of mental health challenges. The focus is connection, shared activities and not having to explain everything from the ground up. |
| Life Skills Workshops | Practical sessions for independent living, such as cooking, household routines, transport confidence or digital basics. The work is hands-on and paced for questions. |
| Women's Circle | A welcoming group for anyone who identifies as a woman, shaped by the group and facilitated with attention to safety, trust and belonging. |
| Family & Carer Support | Information sessions and peer groups for family members and carers who want plain-language guidance and connection with others in a similar role. |
| Recovery Focus Groups | Structured, collaborative sessions around goals, recovery planning and next steps, designed to sit alongside other supports like recovery coaching. |
Groups are open to people Ellira does not otherwise support. You do not have to move your one-to-one supports to us, and you do not have to use Ellira for anything else. If a group is useful, it can sit alongside your existing providers.
What a first session is like
A first group session should be gentle and predictable. You should know where to go, what time it starts, who is facilitating, what the session is roughly about, and what to do if you need help on arrival.
The beginning is usually simple: welcome, names if people want to share them, a quick explanation of the group, and basic agreements about respect, privacy and choice. You should not be expected to tell your story. You should not be put on the spot to explain your diagnosis, your plan, or why you are there.
Some groups are activity-based, such as a skills workshop. Others are conversation-based, such as peer connection. Many sit somewhere between the two: a structure, an activity, and space for people to connect naturally.
It is also normal to feel tired afterwards. Being in a group uses energy, even when it goes well. If you have one-to-one supports, you might plan the day with them: transport, pacing, what to do before and after, and how to decide whether to return.
How groups and one-to-one supports work together
Groups are not a replacement for everything else. They can work well alongside community access, peer support, daily-life support, recovery coaching or therapy.
For example, a recovery coach might help you choose a group that fits your goals, plan how to manage anxiety before attending, and reflect afterwards on what worked. A community access worker might support transport or the first arrival if that is part of your funded support. A psychologist might help you understand the triggers or patterns that come up in group settings. A support coordinator might help confirm funding and service agreements.
Good providers should communicate only with your consent, and only where it helps. You remain in control of who knows what.
Registering interest
Because Ellira schedules groups based on interest, the main first step is to register through the programs page. The form asks for basic contact details, which programs interest you, your area, and anything you want us to know.
Registering interest does not commit you to attending. It helps us understand where there is enough demand to plan a group, then contact people when a suitable option is being scheduled. Before a group starts, we confirm the details and talk through funding so you can decide with clear information.
If forms are not your thing, call 1300 487 996 and we can talk it through.
Common questions
Do I need to be an Ellira participant to join a group?
No. Ellira groups are open to people we do not otherwise support. A group can sit beside your existing providers, and joining one does not mean moving your other supports.
Can I bring a support person?
Sometimes, depending on the group, the space and your support needs. Tell us when you register interest so we can plan properly and explain what is possible before the first session.
What if I get anxious or need to leave early?
That is okay. A well-run group should make room for breaks, quiet participation and leaving early if needed. You can also talk with us beforehand about what helps you feel safer in a group.
How do I know whether my NDIS plan can fund it?
Group supports often sit under Core funding for social and community participation, but it depends on your plan and goals. We can help you check the broad fit, and your plan manager or support coordinator can confirm the funding side.
What if the group I want is not running yet?
Register interest anyway. Ellira schedules groups based on demand in each region, so interest is what helps a group move from idea to dates.
Where to from here
Start at Programs and groups and register interest in the programs that fit your goals. For one-to-one support as well, you can make a referral or book a call and we will talk through what belongs in a group, what belongs in individual support, and what can wait.
This article is general information, not medical or clinical advice. For support with your situation, talk to your GP, treating team, or call us on 1300 487 996. In an emergency call 000. For urgent mental-health support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.