Carer Connections Edition 42

CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 42 - December 2021

RECONNECTING AT CARERS EVENTS As another year comes to a close, Afford has been busy hosting several carers events across NSW to celebrate our community of strong, dedicated and selfless carers. Our carers were ecstatic to finally reconnect after many months of lockdown and share their hopes for the new year.

Kings Park Day Program kicked off the events by heading to King’s Park Tavern Bistro. Carers and staff reminisced on the past year and shared their hopes for the new year, over a delicious lunch.

“We had one of our carers join us for the first time at this lunch. As she left, the carer said, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I have been missing out on these.’ It was great and she made a lot of new friends,” said Team Leader, Gifty Aidoo.

It was also an excellent opportunity for carers and staff of Kings Park to brainstorm activity ideas for 2022 and ask any questions they may have about our services and the NDIS. Lurnea, Chipping Norton and Bonnyrigg Day Program celebrated with a combined carers dinner hosted at Thai Me in Liverpool. The warm and welcoming restaurant was the perfect setting for carers from the three sites to make new friends and reconnect with old ones.

“We had about 30 people attend and it was a great night. They shared a lot of photos and stories and said they were happy with our services,” said Bonnyrigg Team Leader, Peita Cunningham.

Parents and carers also attended a lunch at Emu Hall restaurant where they could take some time-out for themselves and enjoy each other’s company. The venue is a heritage-listed homestead from 1852 that is set against the picturesque Nepean River. It provided an excellent opportunity to relax and absorb the beauty of nature.

Through our carers program, we are proud to continue supporting over 600 carers in every way we can. We hope 2022 will bring a new year of achieving goals together and hosting many more carers events.

If you are interested in learning more about Afford’s carer events, speak to your team leader or email carers@afford.com.au.

For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au

CARER CONNECTIONS

Edition 42

Zlike us on facebookZ share your thoughts and ask other carers for advice Did you know Afford has a Facebook page dedicated to our carers?

It’s your go to for connecting with other carers in the Afford community.

Head over and give our page a like! www.facebook.com/AffordCarers

BISCOFF GINGERBREAD Gingerbread cookies are a crowd favourite during the festive time of year, but why not add a spin on them by adding the delicious spread, Biscoff, to the batter. The on-trend flavour of the Biscoff spread compliments the traditional gingerbread spices and will impress all your party guests.

INGREDIENTS: • 125g salted butter (at room temperature) • ½ cup smooth Biscoff spread • ½ cup brown sugar • ½ cup golden syrup • 1 egg yolk • 3 cups plain flour • 1 tbsp ground ginger • 1 tsp mixed spice • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 2 egg whites • 3 cups pure icing sugar

FOR ICING: • 2 egg whites • 3 cups pure icing sugar •1 tsp lemon juice

METHOD: 1. Use an electric mixer to beat the butter, Biscoff spread and sugar until pale and creamy. Then add the golden syrup and egg yolk and beat until combined.

2. Add in the flour, ginger, mixed spice and bicarb soda.

3. P lace onto a lightly floured bench and knead until smooth. Then cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.

4. Preheat an oven to 180C/160C fan-forced. Grease two baking trays and line with baking paper.

5. Roll out dough to around 4mm thick. Use a gingerbread man pastry cutter to cut out shapes, then arrange on trays. Re-roll any remaining dough and repeat until all dough is used.

6. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes or until browned, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

7. Make the icing using electric beaters to cream egg whites in a bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in icing sugar and lemon juice (1/2 a tsp at a time) until you have the desired consistency.

8. T ransfer white icing to a piping bag fitted with a 2mm round nozzle.

9. Decorate the gingerbread men.

Recipe thanks to: https://bit.ly/32kXNJz.

For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au

CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 42

CARING OUR WAY INTO 2022!

The best part about being a carer is knowing that you have made a difference in someone’s life and played a special part in their journey. Every day at Afford, our carers help clients achieve their goals and they get to be a part of some extraordinary milestones.

Christina from Cherrywood Day Program experiences stiffness in her joints and uses a wheelchair for mobility. Since returning to Cherrywood after Sydney’s lockdown, her lifestyle assistants have been helping her work towards her goal of walking. Thanks to their encouragement and Christina’s determination, she has taken many short scenic strolls without her wheelchair or safety helmet.

“It makes me so happy to see Christina walking without her helmet as it is her main goal. Before the lockdown, she was not even able to stand without it. We treat our clients like our family so when we see them achieving their goals, it is amazing,” said Lifestyle Assistant, Mimi Ocampo.

As Mimi spent more time with Christina, she realised that their surroundings played a significant role in encouraging Christina to walk. Mimi chose the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens because it provides visual stimulation and the pathways are wheelchair friendly.

“We have always found that having a nice view encourages Christina to walk. She likes to get close to the flowers and enjoyed looking at the waterfall at the Botanic Gardens,” continued Mimi.

Christina’s family were thrilled to see the photos of her exploring the community and enjoying her time back at the day program. Christina also enjoys relaxing with the many sensory items at Cherrywood.

“We are like a big family at Cherrywood so it has been great to have everyone back,” said Mimi.

Christina is making the most of being back at Cherrywood and we can’t wait to see her achieve more of her goals in 2022!

To find out more about Afford’s Day Programs, visit https://bit.ly/afforddayprograms.

For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au

CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 42

check out these upcoming events Events give carers the opportunity to connect with each other and find support!

VIC EVENTS Event

DETAILS

FrankTALK with Julie Fisher

Frankston City Libraries

Cost: FREE

Julie shares her experiences as detailed Fri, in her books The December Unexpected Journey and 3, 2021 her latest release Magic 11:00 AM – of Inclusion. As a mum of a young boy with Down 12:00 PM syndrome, Julie Fisher knows firsthand the heartbreak of seeing your child be made to feel they don’t belong. Julie has made it her passion to educate others.

For more information: https://bit.ly/3kQgz1Q

NSW EVENTS Event

DETAILS

Heroes With Ability

Afford clients are invited to a superhero day to celebrate International Day of People with Disability!

Special prizes for the best superhero costume!

Sat, December 4, 2021 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Cost: FREE

Come and join our heroes!

2 Margaret Dawson Drive Carnes Hill, NSW. For more information: https://bit. ly/3oEGKcR

WA EVENTS Event

DETAILS Cost: FREE

Yoga at the Yoga at the Museum - A Museum yoga flow, to the sounds of a live DJ at the new WA Fri, 10 Museum Boola Bardip.

Dec 2021 – Sat, 11 Join KP in the wonderful Dec 2021 forecourt space of the new museum, for an 9:00 AM – expertly led yoga flow 3:00 PM experience accompanied by the sounds of a live DJ. Children over 8 yo are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information: https://bit.ly/3CrIxGR

For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au