Carer Connections Edition 3

CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 3

CHERRYWOOD CHEER MULTICULTURAL ART AND MUSIC FESTIVAL It was a splash of colour, fun and excitement last week as Afford held our Multicultural and Arts Festival at Cherrywood.

On Thursday the 20th September, over two hundred clients and staff attended the event to celebrate the diversity of our many multicultural youth with disabilities attending our Day Programs by inviting not only youth with disabilities who attend these Community Participation Sites, but the many local schools who support and participate in our programs.

The day was brimming with sunshine as brightly dressed clients and staff attended the fun-filled event, many wearing their cultural dresses. We decorated the Cherrywood site with flags from different countries and Afford banners and stands to celebrate the diversity of cultures we welcome here at Afford.

Cherrywood has become a hub for Afford with its size and facilities making it perfect to host such large festivals. A huge thanks to the amazing staff from Cherrywood and other sites that helped to set up and prepare for the event and to the clients who came and took part in the event.

There was plenty to do at the festival with many art and music workshops and activities held for clients to enjoy. We even had a hoola- hooping professional who taught us how to hoola hoop in style! Let’s not forget the mouth- watering food on offer, pies, damper and kebabs and to top it off, a sausage sizzle for all to enjoy.

Prestons for all her effort towards ensuring that Afford receives grants and funding for our events. The generous funding has allowed us to successfully run this event with some great activities on offer such as a music therapist, art therapist, as well as catering. At Afford, we are very fortunate to receive community grants that help us put on such fun and engaging events for all the Afford community to enjoy. We were surprised with the huge turnout, of over 200 clients and staff attending, for many it was the first time they’d visited Cherrywood and they were amazed by how nicely set up the area was.

The event was a huge success and was funded through a grant of over $11,000 from the NSW Premiers Fund for Social. A huge thanks to our Fundraising Coordinator, Toni

What a wonderful way to spend the day with friends and enjoy a bit of multicultural cheer. Great effort everyone!! Just look at those beaming smiles on our clients’ faces.

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.”

— Walt Whitman.

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

CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 3

CARERS CORNER Upcoming Events & Tips:

NATIONAL CARERS WEEK

National Carers Week is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about the diversity of carers and caring roles in our local community. There are a variety of events and activities being run throughout National Carers Week.

WHEN: OCTOBER 14TH - 20TH For event details or to Register your event visit: www.carersweek.com.au

Afford is dedicated to helping Carers stay happy and healthy, we will keep you informed about upcoming health & wellbeing programs or events that aim to help Carers see the bright side of life!

CARERS DAY OUT

FREE WELLBEING IN NATURE FOR CARERS PROGRAM – AUBURN Wellbeing in Nature for Carers is a free outdoor program in Western Sydney to help improve health and wellbeing among carers by reducing stress and being active.

Carers Day Out is a great opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate carers and the contribution they make to our community.

Join us for a free day of wellness and relaxation activities, pampering and health checks, live entertainment and a free BBQ lunch provided by Rapid Relief.

Who: All carers, 18 years and over

When: Tuesday 17 October 2017,

If you are interested you can email or call Lucy on 02 4721 4625 or westernsydney@cva.org.au.

10.00am – 2.00pm

When: 14 week-program starting Tuesday 25 September 2018, 9am to 12pm OR 1pm to 4pm Where: Cumberland Council Nursery and Auburn Botanic Gardens, 94 Chiswick Road, Auburn NSW 2144

Where: Redfern Community Centre, 29-53 Register to attend Carers Day Out at https://www.carersnsw.org.au/national-carers-week

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

CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 3

5 TOP TIPS FOR CREATING A SENSORY ROOM AT 1. Lighting

You don’t need high tech lighting equipment to do the trick. If you want to add a relaxing flow to your room, you can buy some string lights, wallflowers that light up, glow sticks or lava lamps. Top suggestions would be fluorescent overhead lighting that gives out a cool tone.

2. Add some tactile elements Create a tactile wall, with little things that can be stuck on like CDs, different fabrics, little sponges, wool, string or even shells. Adding a variety of tactile elements around the room will make it more engaging for touch and feel sensory stimulation.

3) Colour Scheme If light and visual sensitivity is a consideration for your child, consider a darker hue like gray, navy, soft blue, or violet that absorb more light instead of reflecting it. Red evokes strong emotions, while blues and greens are associated with calm and tranquillity.

4. Make a sensory calming area Often people with sensory needs will feel overwhelmed with loud noises, so it’s always a good idea to keep some comfy headphones nearby or create a tent where your child can relax without overstimulation.

5. Does it smell nice?

You don’t need fancy sprays to create a nice aroma in your sensory room. Simply use some essential oils, dab it on a cotton ball or buy some scented play doughs as a way to incorporate aromatherapy.

The best thing you can do is to create a clutter-free environment that will reduce anxiety and stress in your child. A calm, sensory environment can do wonders and really help to boost their moods. The best thing you can do is to create a clutter-free environment that will reduce anxiety and stress in your child. A calm, sensory environment can do wonders and really hep to boost their moods.

VACATION CARE LAUNCHED IN QLD & VIC! Need a break? Have an appointment? Work commitments? We’ve launched Vacation Care in Queensland and Victoria!

Vacation care is for parents of children with a disability aged 7 - 17years old with an NDIS plan.

Lots of fun and many activities available to enjoy!

For more information call 1300 233 673 or visit www.afford.com.au/vacation-care/

A reminder to all our readers we are always available to talk if you find any of these services interesting, or if you have a good idea on how we can improve services. contact the Afford Team for any further information through: info@afford.com.au or 1300 233 673.

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

CARER CONNECTIONS Edition 3

5 STEPS FOR A BETTER NDIS Tackling the new world of the NDIS may seem a bit overwhelming at first. But by breaking down the process into achievable steps, you’re able to address each element individually, to ensure you receiving annual funding for reasonable and necessary supports to help you achieve your personal, work and life goals.

Afford can developed an online tool in partnership with the NDA to help NDIS participants and their families and carers, and the Every Australian Counts website also has a wealth of advice, but here are also a few tips for you to consider when preparing your NDIS Plan.

List Goals and Daily Activities What are your goals for work, home or for life? What are the activities that make you happy and that you enjoy doing every day and every week? Make a list of some of your personal goals and what supports would enhance your life and help you to achieve these goals. Sometimes, the best way to see what supports you actually need, is to think about the things you do every day. Are there programs, devices, equipment that could make your life easier? Document all these things to take to your first NDIS planning meeting so that you have examples to share.

Adapt to the Terminology Get up to speed with the latest jargon and NDIS terminology to take full advantage of all that the NDIS is offering. It will give you a better understanding of the resources and supports available to you and will give you greater confidence to navigate through the process. For a full list of explanations for NDIS terms and words, visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/glossary.

Get in Early Before you go for your first meeting, you will be required to fill in your planning workbook which includes questions about your life and your future. Make sure you answer all your questions before going into your meeting and have done your research to know the opportunities that are available to you under the NDIS. Have all your medical, educational and health documentation ready for your meeting with your planner to ensure a smooth and easy discussion. The changes to the NDIS guarantees you all the reasonable and necessary supports that you need to help reach your goals in life, so be diligent with your paperwork to make the most of it.

NDIS FULL SCHEME

Supports to Live The Life You Want Don’t just think about traditional disability supports. Think outside-the-box at activities, programs, services and supports that will help you live life the way you want. NDIS Plans are meant to suit your individual needs, so consider the variety of supports available to you and request your NDIS planner to include these.

Don’t Go It Alone The people who are closest with you will know the supports and services that will help you achieve your goals.

Take a friend, family member, carers or advocate along to your NDIS planning meeting to provide a different perspective about things that will enhance your life.

To get you started, Afford has developed an online tool for NDIS participants and their families and carers, in partnership with NDS. To access the tool, visit www.ndischoices.org.au, or get in touch with an Afford staff member on 1300 279 018 to take you through the process.

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