Staff Matters 140

Staff matters February 16, 2018 - Issue 140 Week 30

Marrickville ADE Get Tech Savvy

In This Issue 1 Marrickville ADE Get Tech Savvy

2 Staff Profile Serbian Festival Tumbalong Park Sydney Afford Recognise and Reward Excellence

3 Rhiannon The Rising Star

4 Digby Learns To Drive His Goals!

Selfie Of the Week Afford Supported Employees at the Marrickville Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) have recently benefited from the purchase of a number of new iPads and computers made possible due to the generosity of Wests Ashfield through the Inner West Club Grants Funding in 2017.

The new technology will enable supported employees to learn about safety on the internet and effectively using a computer and iPad. This program was also created to provide essential internet training to help employees to browse websites, pay bills, search for community activities and become more independent and confident when using such technology and equipment.

One of the major benefits of learning how to use these resources, is that we have been able to personalise individual communication applications for each of our employees’ individual needs.

We have also added a number of literacy and numeracy applications which have been a great learning tool for supported employees.

Let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

Have a Laugh

Reminder Don’t forget to send your/clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to CELEBRATE@afford.com.au

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February 16, 2018 - Issue 140

Staff Profile

Serbian Festival Tumbalong Park Sydney At Afford, we love celebrating the different cultures and traditions of our diverse community, so recently members of Club Afford visited the Serbian Festival in Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour, Sydney.

This is the largest Serbian Festival in the Southern Hemisphere and boasts many traditional delicacies and musical artists that always wow the crowds.

Samantha-Jayne Betts Lifestyle Assistant Green Valley LC Favourite Song: Every time we Touch, Cascada Favourite Movie: Pretty Woman, Pretty in Pink and Dirty Dancing.

I can’t pick just one.

Favourite Hobbies: Arts & Crafts Foods: Pub food If you could be an animal what would you be: I’d be a cat, how awesome to get cuddles when you want.

What is your dream holiday destination: Disneyland, LA If you had the power what would you change about the world: Gender equality!

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you:? Too many nice things to pick just one.

If you had to teach something what would you teach: Respect Something no one knows about me: If I told you then EVERYONE would know!

At the festival, clients took some time to immerse themselves in the atmosphere as they walked around looking at and browsing through the various market stalls and watching performances.

Among the highlights of the visit was buying show bags with lots of goodies and having lunch with friends and peers in a fun and lively environment.

Serbian dancers entertained the clients by dazzling them with their vibrant costume colours and enchanting music.

Afford Recognise and Reward Excellence A new year brings new found vitality and vigour and providing excellent customer service to our clients should be at the top of the priority list for each and every one of us.

Not only will this enable Afford to continue to lead the disability sector as a personcentred organisation that goes above and beyond to ensure our clients’ are well supported, it also provides an opportunity for you - as a valued member of the Afford community - to be recognised for all your hard work.

The Afford Customer Excellence Awards are a way to recognise the truly unique and dedicated individuals at Afford that push themselves to do their personal best.

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We’re proud of each and every one of our staff members and know that some days may be more challenging than others, but we appreciate that you strive for excellence every time.

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Extra effort should always be recognised and the Afford Customer Excellence Awards are held within each region to showcase the quality talent we have within out ranks.

Push the boundaries, make this year your year and strive for customer excellence every time!

let your abilities soar

www.afford.com.au

Staff matters February 16, 2018 - Issue 140

Rhiannon The Rising Star

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Our Step Up Program which launched in 2016 has been an amazing success. This Afford development program has provided opportunities for staff across the organisation to step up in various roles with support of HR and other departments across the business.

As an employer of choice we like to support, encourage and promote our staff to excel and rise up through the business.

One of our best success stories at Afford is Rhiannon O’Brien who started at our Prestons Head Office in 2009 in reception. After a successful career as a Licensed Real Estate Agent and winning multiple State and National Sales awards, Rhiannon felt it was time for a change of career to work for a not-for-profit and having grown up with disabilities, through her Dad’s work, she found Afford to be the perfect place to work.

Having a can do attitude and learning quickly from others around her, Rhiannon promptly progressed in the organisation and within 6 to 12 months she was promoted to Fundraising Assistant, CEO Admin Support and Prestons ADE Admin Support.

In 2012 Rhiannon inherited the Events portfolio and under her leadership expanded the Charity Golf Day; HMAS Choules Cocktail event and introduced the highly successful Annual Afford Ball and the Funathon.

In 2015 Rhiannon’s leadership, organisation and aims to advance were rewarded with a management role and by the following year she had acquired the Property and Call Centre portfolio.

Today Rhiannon is now an Executive Manager who also leads the Sales team on top of all of her other portfolios. Along with her dedicated team she has positioned Afford as a market leader in the disability sector.

Rhiannon’s philosophy of “leading the team but also being part of the team”, represents the Afford culture and her story is an excellent example about the different career opportunities you can step into at Afford.

let your abilities soar

www.afford.com.au

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February 16, 2018 - Issue 140

Digby Learns To Drive His Goals!

In January, Preston’s SLES Program Trainer, Sharon Figl, sat with Digby Brady and spoke with him about his new goals for 2018.

Digby mentioned that he would love to get his Learner Driver’s Permit. So throughout the month of January, Digby and his trainers worked hard together, learning the rules of the road.

In a matter of weeks Digby was well on his way to passing the online practice test.

In the first week of February, Sharon checked in with Digby to find out if he felt confident to take the test, so they could book in a time to sit for his Learners Permit.

Although Digby was feeling a little nervous, he did not allow that to stand in his way. Sharon was sure to free up time in order to support Digby and take him on the day.

Digby and his trainer researched together to find the nearest Service NSW to the Preston’s site and booked in a day to sit for the test.

Finally, the day arrived! On Monday, 12 February 2018 Digby entered Liverpool’s Service NSW with confidence and prepared to sit for his test. Celebrations were in order as Digby yet again smashed another goal from his list and gaining his Learner Driver’s Permit.

A huge congratulations to Digby - we are all so proud and happy for you!

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Have a laugh

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In the Selfie Above: Staff Members, Kathy Bullock & Kevin Taumata supporting the NSW Physical Disability Rugby League team at their Golf Day.

let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

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