CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 29 - November 2020
CHARMAINE BECAME A CARER AT 21 At just 21 years of age, Charmaine became the fulltime carer of her older sister, Monique, who lives with intellectual disability. For the past five years, Charmaine has been Monique’s daily support for bathing, meal preparation and getting out and about. Charmaine put her studies for a career in aged care on hold, after studying and working became too difficult when coupled with caring for her sister. Not wanting to rely on friends or family to care for Monique, Charmaine turned to Afford’s Short Term Accommodation (respite) services in Lakemba, St Marys and Eschol Park for weekend breaks to give her time to catch up with friends or take on extra shifts at work. Afford’s Carer Support program was established to support the wellbeing of parents and carers of individuals with disability as part of our whole-of-life approach to disability supports. Charmaine is one of the many unpaid carers who go above and beyond to care for a loved one with disability. There are around 2.7 million carers across Australia who provide unpaid care for a family member or friend with disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, alcohol, or other drug issue or who are aged. Afford’s Carer Support Program provides parents and carers with opportunities to participate in social outings with others who share similar life experiences. Outings include everything from lunch and spa days through to evenings out at cabaret shows at the theatre. “Afford recognises the physical and emotional challenges faced by many carers and families supporting an individual with disability. Through our Carer Support program, we aim to encourage time for carer wellbeing through events and respite options so that they can be the best carer for their loved one. Our Carer Events give everyone the chance to share the tough times and the triumphs and help them draw strength from others to continue their role as carers,” said Jessica Scicluna, Events Coordinator – Carer Events. Afford offers Short Term Accommodation to give individuals living with disability a chance to take time out from every day and explore their interests in a supportive environment. Short Term Accommodation for individuals with disability also provides respite for families and carers to catch up on other aspects of their lives or take time to care for their wellbeing. Contact our customer care team for more information about Afford’s Short Term Accommodation: customercare@afford.com.au
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 29
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
GINGERBREAD COOKIES Who doesn’t love a gingerbread man? Bake some delicious cookies for Christmas! INGREDIENTS • 125g butter • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 egg • 2 cups plain flour • 1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda • 2 teaspoons ground ginger INSTRUCTIONS •C ream butter and sugar until well combined then mix in the egg. Sift in flour, bicarb soda and ginger. •K nead dough on a lightly floured surface adding more flour if necessary. •R oll out dough thinly then use a shaped cutter or knife to create your men. •P reheat an oven to 180 degrees C. •P lace the men on a lightly greased tray and cook for 15 minutes. •C ool on a wire rack before decorating. Hot tips! •S hop the icing and cake decorating section at your local Woolworths or Coles for ready-made icing and decoration ideas like sprinkles. •U sing smarties is a great option for your gingerbread man’s buttons! This recipe is thanks to All Recipes Australia and can be found on their website here: https://bit.ly/3kTOx2r
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 29
A GETAWAY TO OUR NATION’S CAPITAL A trip to our nation’s capital was one of the first Afford Getaways to hit the road and enjoy the countryside after many months of travel disruptions. Residents of our Billabong and Rainbow Supported Accommodation, Mark, Brett, Michael and Colin, absolutely love to get out and about to see new places. They were very excited to confirm their Afford Getaways trip to Canberra and eager to plan their days of sightseeing and fun. Supported by lifestyle assistants, Lisa and Kumar, throughout their journey, the travellers jumped into their colourful Afford van for a wonderful adventure. The first stop for the four friends was at Goulburn’s Big Merino. A lovely morning tea stop and a picture or two in front of the over-sized ram was the ideal way to break up the drive. Heading onto Canberra, the mates strapped on their walking shoes for lots of sightseeing. They visited Cockington Green Gardens where they felt like giants walking around the miniature, manicured gardens and small-scale buildings inspired by real-life structures from around the world. It was a definite change in pace when they ventured into the Canberra Reptile Zoo. They patted lizards and admired the many different species of snakes as they walked through the enclosures. After a busy day, Mookie Burgers was the meal of choice for dinner with yummy burgers of all kinds. The following morning, Mark, Brett, Michael and Colin were driven back to their homes in Penrith by their Afford support staff. “Afford Getaways offer individuals many opportunities to enjoy travel with support if and when they need it. E PLAC XPL E ORING NEW
Participants can choose where they want to go and with support, their travel dreams can become a reality. Our getaways promote inclusivity and opportunities to see different places and meet new people,” said Jessica Scicluna, Events Coordinator, Getaways. Afford Getaways has just launched a range of new supported holiday options for people of all abilities. Supported holidays are organised for destinations across Australia, including visits to iconic theme parks on the Gold Coast, trips on The Ghan, and road trips across the country. Read it here: https://bit.ly/31W7PgT Contact Afford Getaways: getaways@afford.com.au
LET’S GO
TRAVEL
We look forward to travelling with you in 2021!
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au
CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 29
check out these upcoming carers events Even in these times carers can still connect with each other and find support via online events!
ONLINE EVENTS Event
DETAILS
Free 60-Minute Online Virtual Yoga
By Home Yoga for All Levels
Multiple Dates Multiple Times Online Register via Eventbrite
Cost - FREE Join our free live 60-minute virtual online yoga class with instructor Kadisha Aburub! Free Yoga Class and Online Yoga for Beginners! Wellness has always been an important issue for us. COVID-19 has resulted in more and more people staying home, and gyms/yoga studios closing down. We want to better the experience for live streaming exercising as well as tackling the growing problem of loneliness. Register via Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/3pPSvNb
ONLINE DETAILS EVENTS Cost - FREE Event
ONLINE EVENTS Event
DETAILS
Let’s Meditate
48 hours of Bite Sized Mindfulness
By Sabina Vitacca Mindfulness Consultant
Multiple Dates 1:45PM 3:00PM Online via Zoom
By Sahaja Yoga Meditation Meditate, meet and get motivated. Looking for peace, balance, joy, overcome stress, transform and meet other seekers? ‘Sahaja Yoga’ online meditation classes help you achieve meditation benefits in quick and easy steps and discover its healing power. No prior experience needed.
Saturday 5th December 7:00AM Online Workshop Register via Eventbrite
Cost - FREE
This course is a short-term commitment each day and can be slotted around your existing work and home commitments. It is pre recorded so you can watch in your own time sent via your emails. Register via https://bit.ly/3qemezN
Join via Zoom: https://zoom. us/j/9181716151 For more information visit Eventbrite: https://bit. ly/35WlSW4
Riddle me employment
Looking for a job that will be right for you? With the support of our experienced team, you can find the job that’s right for you, a job where you will gain new skills, feel valued, a job that lets you earn money and be in control of your life. Afford is proud to offer the following employment services: - Disability Employment Service (DES) - Supported Employment (ADE) - School Leaver Employment Support (SLES)
What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?
Call our friendly Supported Employment team today on: 1300 233 673 or visit www.afford.com.au/services/work/ Answer: A river
For more information please call 1300 233 673 or email info@afford.com.au