Fremantle’s unique NDIS provider Humdrum uses pancake days and social events for ‘unboring’ disability support

Humdrum is the quirky NDIS service provider changing the face of disability support work, and there is nothing humdrum about it. The Fremantle start-up was registered in 2017 by founders Ben Gibson and Tim Zafir, opening its permanent doors on South Street in 2022. Ever since, they have been growing a unique culture focused on flexible support work and community events that combat boredom and isolation, from ‘pancake banter’ days to community board game nights. Chief executive officer Ben Hawthorn said Humdrum was a breath of fresh air for the NDIS provider space. “There’s a lot of other registered NDIS providers out there, but Humdrum at its core is a social enterprise about combating boredom and isolation,” he said. “Fifteen per cent of the population are persistently socially isolated at any given time. It’s more prevalent in disability communities because there’s less accessibility for events and experiences. “If you come and get NDIS supports from Humdrum, you’ll have an ‘unboring’ experience.” Humdrum was created to offer a different type of disability support that breaks the “generic” mould used by many other NDIS providers. The team organises creative events such as pancake banter, where a buffet of fresh pancakes are available for community breakfast every Wednesday. “A lot of issues around events is that people often don’t want to attend. You have to create events that are a bit different and interesting,” Mr Hawthorn said. “Pancake banter is unique, it sparks people’s interest so they want to know what it’s about and they come down. “It always has great participation, people really enjoy coming down and having some pancakes, having a chat, and meeting up with other participants and support workers in their community.” Their on-site media content house, developed by founder Mr Zafir, provides opportunities to promote these events and encourages clients to gain real work experience with a media studio. Humdrum is also preparing to launch a new initiative titled sidequest, a “gamified” experience that encourages users to venture into the community and complete a specific activity. Alongside various social events, Humdrum released an app in 2018 to make it easier for their clients to connect. “There are no other app-based service providers that offer a whole range of different features and experiences within the platform and community for the participants and support worker,” Mr Hawthorn said. “That’s our main difference – we offer those different experiences that they can access through the application.” Being based in Fremantle has also been a big part of Humdrum’s growth. “It fits really well with the ethos around combatting boredom and isolation,” Mr Hawthorn said. “Freo is a vibrant community...it fits really well with Humdrum’s brand and what it’s trying to achieve, being different to the normal NDIS provider.” Dylan Tracy has lived in Fremantle his entire life, and he’s been a client and staff member with Humdrum for almost six years. “Technically my job title is ‘unicorn wrangler’. It’s really in the service management team, answering the phones, helping people set up in person, answering emails and website enquiries,” he said. “I’m also a participant here, I use it for services and get support.” Mr Tracy and his twin both live with cerebral palsy, and grew up with their mum on dialysis for ten years. “Support workers were really pivotal to me growing up, helping with a lot of the stuff my mum didn’t have the energy to do,” he said. “But where I was, the people that supported me couldn’t really support me because they were always moved into different areas. “With Humdrum, I can pick someone I already know I like, and we can make it work. There’s no higher ups moving them around.” Mr Tracy said being involved with the organisation and events like pancake banter day is deeply fulfilling. “I can help build a platform that lets people pick locals that they align with, rather than be given the ones they are just given,” he said. “Pancake day is great, I love getting to meet people in person and see the connection they’ve fostered with their support worker. “I love seeing people go from ‘I don’t want to leave the house’ to ‘I’m leaving the house to go to an event and meet other people’, and making their own little communities.” Humdrum is available across WA, offering services in the Perth metro and regional areas. They are planning on expanding their mission to support hyperlocal communities throughout Australia, beyond the NDIS bounds.