Staff matters October 20, 2017 - Issue 125 Week 15
South West Staff Showcase Their Best P EM
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LOYER
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In This Issue 1 South West Staff
Showcase Their Best
2 Staff Profile Ebony’s Creative Genius Guildford Gets a Dose of Baby Goodness
3 TTW Have a Berry Good Leadership and can-do attitudes are the qualities that deliver exceptional customer service to clients and make Afford a leading disability service provider in Sydney.
Time!
Afford has now implemented a new awards system where each region will recognise and reward their own Customer Service achievers. In September, the South West Region celebrated the achievements of three very special Afford staff. Judy Blanch from Chipping Norton Lifestyle Centre received an external nomination for the amazing change she has made to the culture of the centre. Under Judy’s guidance, staff are happier and more engaged with the clients and the overall atmosphere of the centre is more positive and supportive. The centre truly feels like a team that is working towards the same goal and delivering quality disability supports for clients.
4 DES Are Fit & Fabulous Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh
Second place in the Customer Service Awards was awarded to Amira Salama from Oran Park Lifestyle Centre who consistently pushes the boundaries to provide special care for clients and their families. Amira has assisted at Guildford Lifestyle Centre with translation of letters into Arabic numerous times and also used her translation skills during a meeting at Guildford with a family. She performs these tasks and more without question and keeps everyone informed about progress of activities. Amira’s peers comment that her dedication to her role and commitment to Afford is remarkable. Third place was awarded to Ruben De Leeuw from Campbelltown Lifestyle Centre. He goes above and beyond to deliver exceptional service to clients every day. His enthusiasm, positive attitude and ability to take on new challenges and tasks make him a valued member of the Centre’s community.
Let your abilities 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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October 20, 2017 - Issue 125
Staff Profile
Alexandra Herman (Ally) Lifestyle Style Assistant Jamisontown Lifestyle Program
Favourite Song: Everything is Awesome – Lego Movie theme. Favourite Movie: Ace Ventura When Nature Calls. Favourite Hobbies: Gardening, bushwalking, craft, photography and cooking. Favourite Foods: Pizza If you could be an animal what would you be: An octopus What is your dream holiday destination: Africa – Botwana If you had the power what would you change about the world: Human Nature What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: Had faith in me. If you had to teach something what would you teach? Relaxation Something no one knows about me: Still a secret
Ebony’s Creative Genius Before joining Afford 12 months ago, Ebony was shy and preferred to keep to herself. Today, Ebony is an active and happy client at Afford Lurnea Lifestyle Centre and enjoys participating in a variety of group and 1:1 activities. Some of her favourite activities include swimming, bowling, dancing and going to the ladies day out each week. Ebony has really come out of her shell since joining Afford and has shown her fun and crazy personality on many occasions. She has an infectious sense of humour that has entertained Afford staff and clients alike. Ebony has a very creative and imaginative spirit and loves creating amazing art with anything she finds lying around. Afford is very pleased to be part of Ebony’s journey and we’re honoured that she feels she can be herself and show her creative and humours personality among her friends at Lurnea Lifestyle Centre.
Guildford Gets a Dose of Baby Goodness For around two years, Pamela Koroma has been a valued member of the Afford community working as a PPT Afford Employee at the Afford Guildford site. Pamela is currently on maternity leave, but Guildford staff and clients were recently pleasantly surprised to have a visit by Pamela and the new addition to her family – little baby, Edna. During Pamela and Edna’s visit, clients and staff hovered around to get a glimpse of the little bundle of baby goodness and judging by the huge smile on Pamela’s face, all could tell that she is overwhelmed with joy to welcome baby Edna into her life and family and share this amazing time with her friends at Afford. Congratulations Pamela! We wish you all good health and lots of happiness!
let your abilities soar
www.afford.com.au
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October 20, 2017 - Issue 125
TTW Have a Berry Good Time! Afford’s Transition to Work (TTW) program incorporates outing and activities to support trainees learn life skills for independence and working in teams. Afford TTW staff work very hard to source programs that encourage skill development, but also offer a fun learning environment. On Friday, 13 October, TTW Trainees arrived to each site super excited packed and ready to start their fun filled weekend adventure to Berry Sport and Recreational Centre. Over the next three days, trainees had the opportunity to experience a range of activities to enhance their skills as well as make new friends and memories to last a life time. Prior to arriving at Berry, the group stopped at Fitzroy Falls to stretch their legs and enjoy a lunch break. Trainees were already developing a strong camaraderie while enjoying each other’s company and taking photos at the waterfalls. After a long drive the trainees and Afford TTW staff arrived at Berry and took some time to look around the town to find the famous doughnut van for some fresh hot doughnuts before continuing onto Berry Sport and Recreational Centre. On the first night, trainees kept warm by sitting around the camp fire, toasting giant marshmallows and experiencing trainee Benjamin Luong’s delicious American camp treat - S’mores (toasted marshmallows, sandwiched in between butter snap biscuits and covered with Hershey’s chocolate sauce) YUM! Trainees began Saturday morning with a leap of faith as they experienced the first activity of the weekend - the flying fox! Screams and cheers of excitement were heard echoing across the fields as the trainees flew through the air and the smiles on their faces were priceless. On Saturday afternoon, trainees hit the river as they kayaked their way through the beautiful scenery, followed by a swim in the local pool, showing off their swimming skills. After many daytime activities, the night was a little more subdued with friendships forming and a lot of laughs - so many that some of our trainees like Briana Holmes woke on Sunday to have lost their voice! Archery was the name of the game on Sunday morning and all trainees did a great job of aiming for and hitting the target - even beating their trainers to getting a bullseye. Like everything, even good things must come to and end, so on Sunday afternoon the group started back for home, but made some time to stop off at Towradgi Beach. All can’t wait for next year!
let your abilities soar
www.afford.com.au
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October 20, 2017 - Issue 125
DES Are Fit & Fabulous Body building is tough. It requires commitment, determination and a positive attitude to get the job done. For Afford Employment Bankstown client, Chris Dimitrievic, body building has always been an interest. It is something that he has wanted to pursue for a very long time. After being connected with and Afford Employment Consultant in Bankstown, Chris has been able to identify his strengths and activities that will help him build confidence in his abilities. Recently, Chris participated in the Australasian Natural Bodybuilding Competition (ANB) Newcastle Classic and National Championship. He placed 1st in the teen’s division and 2nd in the novice tall class in Newcastle and 4th in the teen’s division at Nationals in Sydney. At Afford, supporting clients to achieve their personal goals is a priority. With the support of family and friends and being involved in the supportive and inclusive Afford community, Chris has been able to succeed in his love of body building and understand how his abilities make him unique. “Body building is something that I love and I am good at and it has helped me to develop more confidence and learn things about myself that I didn’t know about,” Chris explained. Congratulations Chris! Fantastic effort - we can’t wait to hear about your next amazing achievement!
fl iweeek
Have a laugh
Sef the o
In the Selfie Above: Shaun, Nikki, Nathan and Cathy from Windsor Lifestyle Centre out and about!
Please send in your selfies
let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au