CARER CONNECTIONS Christmas Edition
CLIENTS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS CHEER During the months of November and December, many client Christmas parties have been held for clients across QLD, NSW and VIC. The jolly celebrations are a great way to celebrate an amazing year and a chance to get together before Christmas and the New Year! The Christmas parties for NSW Day Program clients, ADE supported employees, accommodation residents and SLES trainees were held at the CUBE at Campbelltown’s Catholic Club. Clients from across Sydney attended the Christmas events held over 3 days. Featuring a big blow up Santa and reindeer decorations, balloon makers, face painters and a DJ to keep the music pumping for all to get their groove going on the dance floor. Queenslanders enjoyed their Christmas party at the Diggers Service Club in Logan. Everyone enjoyed dancing, karaoke, face painting, and taking some happy snaps at the photo booth! Clients and carers were served a delicious 3-course lunch while watching the presentations take place for the Client of the year. Afford VIC hosted their Client Christmas party for clients, their parents and carers at the Melbourne Zoo! Clients from all Melbourne locations attended and enjoyed dancing, karaoke and ginger bread making in private room in the zoo grounds. Melbourne clients and staff walked around the zoo and visited the butterfly house, where many clients and staff had beautiful butterflies landing on them. It was a great day had by all who attended! At Afford, we love to celebrate and we are so privileged to be able to stage all of these Christmas parties for our clients’ enjoyment. We care about providing support for clients to achieve what they want out of work, home and in life. Christmas celebrations, such as these, are fun, but also support the development of friendships, confidence and, importantly, happiness.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 18
Carer PROFILE NING LI Who are you caring for? My parents, Mum 56 and Dad 72. How long have you been a part of the Afford Community? 1 year this July. How has Afford helped you as a carer? Afford Provided nights out for me to meet with others at carers events and the Christmas party. Also provided support when i need to work, etc. If you had a whole day all to yourself, what would you do? Reading books. What is one tip you can give others transitioning to the NDIS? Living a better quality of life.
TIPS TO A STRESS FREE CHRISTMAS Christmas time is such a great time to catch up with friends and spend quality time with family. But there is a reason its called the ‘silly season’! It can be a very stressful time of the year, but here’s 5 tips on how to manage the stress of Christmas. 1. Set a budget Starting with your budget is a great way to manage your spending and ensure you don’t end up with a big credit card bill in the near year! Set a budget and allocate how much you are going to spend on each gift. Be realistic and stick to it, or even think of doing a secret Santa with your family. 2. Buy groceries online Buying groceries online is easier then you think! Grocery stores like Woolworths and Coles offer online ordering and delivery which takes away the stress of a busy grocery shop close to Christmas. Remember carers have access to Afford Rewards that can be used to save money on grocery shopping! 3. Manage your cooking You can manage your cooking by organising your baking and cooking list. Work out what food items you can bake in advance to save time. If you have visitors you could also organise a pot luck to cut time on cooking! 4. Don’t over induldge Be treat-wise, enjoy the foods you like without over eating. Try to eat healthy during the day to ensure you don’t eat too much at dinner time. Make simple food swaps such as brown rice instead of white etc. 5. Ask for help Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Reach out to members of your family to see what they can do to help with Christmas Day tasks, don’t take everything on yourself. Kids can be quite helpful too, share the work with your family and enjoy Christmas together.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 18
AFFORD CHRISTMAS CLOSURES Christmas is fast approaching! Here is what you need to know about our closure dates... Over the Christmas break it is important to know the below sites and services will not be available during the following dates: ADES • Ingleburn ADE: 20th December 2019 - 6th January 2020 • Marrickville ADE: 20th December 2019 - 6th January 2020 • Minchinbury ADE: Closed only 20th, 25th, 26th, 27th December 2019 and 1st January 2020 • Minto ADE: Closed only 25th, 26th December 2019 and 1st January 2020 • Prestons ADE: 20th December 2019 - 13th January 2020 DES • 24th December 2019 - 2nd January 2020 SLES • 19th December 2019 - 13th January 2020 DAY PROGRAMS • NSW Day Programs: 19th December 2019 - 13th January 2020 • QLD Day Programs: 20th December 2019 - 6th January 2020 • VIC Day Programs: 23rd December 2019 - 2nd January 2020 For questions or concerns, please contact your Team Leader directly.
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Zhave your sayZ share your thoughts and ask other readers for advice We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, stories and advice with other readers. Inspire someone! Send your letters: Afford Marketing - Carers Newsletter 3-7 Marieanne Place Minchinbury NSW 2770 Or email: marketing@afford.com.au
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 18
upcoming carers events and activities Keep up to date with info sessions, events and seminars at www.facebook.com/Afford
NSW EVENTS Event
Cost - free & paid seats
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australia’s largest Christmas concert.
21st December 2019
2019 will be the 37th year of this iconic star-studded Christmas celebration held in the Domain adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens.
7:00pm 10:30pm The Domain Art Gallery Road Sydney, NSW 2000
DETAILS
More details and tickets via - https://events.ticketbooth. com.au/event/woolworthscarols-in-the-domain-2019
QLD DETAILS EVENTS Cost - $5.00 per person Event
VIC DETAILS EVENTS Cost - see website Event
Carols Extravaganza
Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with song at Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight
24th December 2019
Pack a picnic, dust off your Santa hats, and bring your family and friends to join us on Christmas Eve at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl for a night of unforgettable live performances.
20th - 23rd of December 2019 6:45pm 7:30pm & 8:30pm 9:15pm South Bank Piazza, Brisbane, QLD 4101
The South Bank Piazza will be home to the Carols Extravaganza - an exciting Christmas production featuring film, song, dance and a visit from Santa himself! The Carols Extravaganza will feature 8 jubilant shows across 4 nights. Performances will take place from 20 to 23 December, running twice nightly at 6.45pm until 7.30pm and 8.30pm until 9.15pm. More details and tickets via https://www.qtix.com.au/qtix/ event/carols_extravaganza_19
GETAWAY THIS CHRISTMAS For many carers, the idea of a holiday may seem like an unrealistic and unreachable goal. Having a relaxing holiday with your loved one might be more realistic then you think! Afford offers travel options for your loved one to travel solo, with friends or family members on a dream getaway! Afford Getaways are supported holidays where everything is taken care of. We travel to some of the world’s top destinations, including Disneyland, Singapore, Pacific Cruises, or a tailormade holiday just for you!
8:00PM Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Linlithgow Ave, Melbourne, VIC 3000
More details and tickets via https://carols.visionaustralia. org/tickets
Riddle me I come with many colors, so beautiful and bright, I turn so many houses into a beautiful sight. What am I?
Afford Getaways is heading to Moreton Island this December, so take the steps to make this happen today! It’s easy to book an Afford Getaway call 1300 233 673 or email getaways@afford.com.au Answer: Christmas lights.
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au