Staff matters August 11, 2017 - Issue 115 Week 5
Afford Built Us Our Home - Celebrating The First Year
In This Issue 1 Afford Built Us Our Home - Celebrating The First Year
2 Staff Profile Discovery at the Museum! Tinos Community Transition
3 Family Feast at Oran Park Residents of the Dolphin Cove Afford Group Home will be celebrating their first full year in their new, purpose built homes and we are so excited about how far they have come! Since moving in 12 months ago, our 5 residents have really made Dolphin Cove their home by contributing to the decoration and styling of the home interiors, adding their own unique art works as a personal touch and also beautifying the outdoor garden area.
Primped and Pampered Beauties
4 Cherrywood All A Cluck Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh
We are so proud of every one of our residents. Not only have they moved forward in leaps and bounds in terms of learning to live independently, but they have also worked hard to take part in activities that make them stay active, fit and healthy. They are now opting for outings that encourage a healthy lifestyle such as walks in the park or attending music shows and they now choose healthy snacks at the supermarket to fill their cupboards. Residents have truly realised the benefits of community living across the Afford Group Homes in Penrith. They invite each other over for BBQs regularly and with many enjoying to cook, share healthy meals together and support each other as they work towards more healthy and active lifestyles. Every one of the Afford Group Homes have a great, welcoming feel as soon as you enter. We’re so pleased that over the past year these houses have become more than homes, they have become a supportive and inclusive community and family.
Giving you the freedom to soar www.afford.com.au
Reminder Don’t forget to send your/clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to CELEBRATE@afford.com.au
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August 11, 2017 - Issue 115
Staff Profile
Tim Yang
Finance Manager Minchinbury Favourite Song: Lovely Baby Bear Favourite Movie: Titanic Favourite Hobbies: Playing FIFA Favourite Foods: Pho Can’t think of anything else now as I’m going to Vietnamese place tonight with friends If you could be an animal what would you be: My Cat What is your dream holiday destination: New York If you had the power what would you change about the world: Unify North & South Korea. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: My wife married me. If you had to teach something what would you teach: Math Something no one knows about me: I used to be a high ranker in online gaming.
Giving you the freedom to soar
Discovery at the Museum! Clients of the Afford Ashfield Lifestyle Centre were lucky to enjoy a new outing to the Museums Discovery Centre. Team Leaders at Ashfield LC recognised that clients really enjoy their visits to places such as the Powerhouse Museum and others, but they really craved something new and different - and the Museums Discovery Centre in Castle Hill offered just that and more! Recently re-opened after a massive overhaul, the Museums Discovery Centre houses a massive collection that is the result of collaboration between the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Australian Museum and Sydney Living Museums, full of amazing items! The moment they walked in both staff and clients couldn’t hold back gasps and “wow!” exclamations at the sight of the main hall. The next two hours where a whirlwind of discovery, going through the museums beautiful and amazingly diverse collection! They truly have it all, from 20,000 year old artefacts all the way to counterfeit iPhones! Both clients and staff had an amazing time at the Museums Discovery Centre and they already consider it one of their favourite outings, which they are sure they will visit again.
Tinos Community Transition
Afford Belmore Lifestyle Centre welcomed Tino in January 2016 and worked closely with him to address behavioural concerns and develop a personalised plan that helped him build his skills. During his time with Afford, Tino has been supported to become more involved in his local community. Recently, a donation of $200 was sent to Belmore Lifestyle Centre. It was donated by a generous member of the public who said that they had seen how positively Afford staff engage with clients when out in the community. They were so impressed and felt so moved that they wanted to contribute and made the generous donation. Staff are constantly looking for ways to work with clients to meet their individual needs and bring them happiness - throughout our Lifestyle Centres and during community access. Our staff are champions for our clients and for all that Afford stands for and we’re proud to have such professional, dedicated and joyful staff members among our Afford community - well done team!
www.afford.com.au
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August 11, 2017 - Issue 115
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Family Feast at Oran Park To celebrate the selfless work of their carers, Oran Park Lifestyle Centre arranged a family dinner on 3 August. Clients decided that they were going to be the ones to put together the meal and make it a very special evening for all the carers. With the support of Afford staff, clients created the menus and then created a shopping list for all the items to purchase for the meal. Clients then helped to clean the house and organise the tables and also helped to prepare the cheese platters and desserts for the evening. Casey Hailes, Afford Executive Manger, Kathy Bullock, South West District Manager, Laura Peterson, Customer Care Coordinator, Rosie Barletta, NDIS Support Coordinator, and Stephanie Ivos the Physiologist from the Afford Allied Health Team also joined the carers and families for a fabulous feast. Rosie spoke with everyone about the NDIS and helped answer some of the more complex NDIS questions for families. While carers enjoyed their meal and the NDIS information session, clients were treated to a disco night. They enjoyed dancing, eating pizza, sharing laughs, jokes and many happy moments. The Afford Carers program aims to encourage carers to take some well needed respite and share some time with other carers and Afford Staff to navigate through the NDIS and share their stories.
Primped and Pampered Beauties
The ladies of the Afford Blacktown Lifestyle Centre enjoyed some pamper time during their girls-only day with the Beauty/Spa program. Everyone loved having their make-up done, nails painted, hair braided and hands and feet massaged -and who wouldn’t! Kristy Hudson, Keryn O’Donnell, Maribinty Kallay, Jasmin Bullivant, Clara Miceli all enjoyed relaxing and refreshing during the pampering day and each bring their own make-up kits for staff, Kirteeka and Jacinta, to assist them with make-up and nail polish. By the end of the session, the ladies were looking radiant inside and out. A bit of TLC goes a long way and we’re so happy to be able to deliver supports to clients that bring joy and happiness.
Giving you the freedom to soar
www.afford.com.au
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August 11, 2017 - Issue 115
Cherrywood All A Cluck As many of you know, the Afford Penrith Lifestyle Centre recently moved from the Penrith CBD to Cherrywood. The transition presented a few minor hiccups but all were overcome and the clients are now completely enjoying their new space - especially the outdoor areas. The clients love having a full functioning kitchen. They have cooked some amazing meals and are improving every time they hop into the kitchen. One of the highlights for clients is having chickens in the animal enclosure because they are able to easily fetch eggs for cooking and they also love interacting with the chickens. Everyone is eagerly waiting for the weather to warm up so they can make use of the pool on those hot summer days and clients are also keen to see what other farm animals will be added to the animal enclosures in the coming months. From everyone at Penrith/Cherrywood - a big thank you for supporting us to make the changes to improve and grow.
fl iweeek
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In the Selfie Above: Asghar Ali, Lifestyle Assistant at Belmore feeling blessed with baby Barika, first born daughter after 13 years of marriage.
Please send in your selfies
Giving you the freedom to soar www.afford.com.au
Have a laugh