Staff matters March 2, 2018 - Issue 142 Week 32
Afford’s New Head Office - Workspaces That Move People
In This Issue 1 Afford’s New Head Office - Workspaces That Move People
2 Staff Profile Afford 1:1 Supports Jump Ahead of The Competition A Cool Change for Green Valley LC
3 Afford’s New Head Office - Workspaces That Move People Cont.
4 Alastair’s Goal Train Keeps On Rolling
Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh Afford has started 2018 with some bold new transformations and it is only the beginning of things to come! Our new Head Office building at 3 Marieanne Place in Minchinbury, is truly designed to spark collaboration, innovation and encourage our sense of teams and tribes. Face-to-face interactions are by far the most important activity in any office, so getting employees to have regular interactions by increasing chance encounters and unplanned interactions between knowledge workers, both inside and outside the organisation, improves performance. Our focus in the design of Head Office was to create a space that not only reflects our brand and values but is inviting, functional, improves communication, accelerates decision making and inspires! Continued on page 3
Let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au
Reminder Don’t forget to send your/clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to CELEBRATE@afford.com.au
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March 2, 2018 - Issue 142
Staff Profile
Afford 1:1 Supports Jump Ahead of The Competition At Afford, we meet challenges head on and overcome them to deliver exceptional service and support for our clients every time.
Kiesha Spies Receptionist Minchinbury HO Favourite Song: At the moment it would be, I Fall Apart by Post Malone. Favourite Movie: Always love a good comedy, Adam Sandler or Melissa McCarthy. Favourite Hobbies: Watching Netflix, shopping, going out for food, painting, reading, walking my dog, photography, listening to music, gardening & music festivals. Favourite Foods: Burgers If you could be an animal what would you be: I can’t pick. What is your dream holiday destination: My dream would be to do the Golden Triangle in India. But I love a good beach spot with crystal clear water for snorkeling! If you had the power what would you change about the world: Save our animals that are going extinct. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you:? It is always the best day ever when someone buys me food. If you had to teach something what would you teach: Photography or how to braid your hair haha. Something no one knows about me: I am a Beauty Therapist
let your abilities soar
Recent changes to NDIS funding has meant that many other disability service providers have chosen to reduce or stop 1:1 supports, but at Afford, we have simply found new and innovative ways to continue to deliver this vital support for our clients. Peter is a client at Afford Canley Vale Lifestyle Centre who is usually hesitant to join in group activities, however recently, decided that he wanted to do something different. Afford staff asked Peter whether he wanted to join his peers at the trampoline centre, Flip Out. After staff explained to Peter all that was involved in taking part in Flip Out, he was hesitant, but said ‘yes’. Peter arrived at flip out with the expectation that he would only be there for 5 or 10 minutes, as he finds it challenging to stay in one place for too long. However, as time went on, Peter completely surprised his supporting staff and sat on the trampoline and bounced slowly, then became a little more confident and stood up and continued jumping. He had the biggest smile on his face during the sessions and everyone was so pleased that he participated. To have joined in on the Flip Out session with his peers is such a great achievement for Peter! Congratulations Peter on such a fantastic achievement!
A Cool Change for Green Valley LC Clients of the Afford Green Valley Lifestyle Centre will be cool in summer and warm in winter thanks to 2016 Community Building Partnership Funding of $13,728 to purchase and install a new air-conditioning unit. The new air conditioning system will provide all year round comfort for clients with disabilities to be able to actively participate in their daily activities regardless of the extreme temperatures outside. With the ability to moderate the temperature inside the Centre, clients can now enjoy activities such as arts and crafts, singing and dancing, therapy sessions and more without having to worry about extreme cold or warm conditions outside. The new air conditioning unit is a welcome addition to the Green Valley Lifestyle Centre and a feature which is highly valued by staff, clients and their families alike.
www.afford.com.au
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March 2, 2018 - Issue 142
Afford’s New Head Office - Workspaces That Move People Cont.
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This has been achieved with the open space plan, incorporated “hot desking” (no assigned seats) and spaces that can easily be reconfigured for different tasks and evolving teams. We have also incorporated inteactive technology like our Smartboards that keep us connected. One of the highlights of the new transformation is the Afford “Our Story” timeline wall in the new boardroom. The timeline takes you on a visual journey over 65 years from our beginning in the 1950’s as The Poliomyelitis Society, through to Afford as we know it today. The move has generated a flurry of excitement and input from all staff who have been instrumental in making this move seamless and stress free. Under the guidance of Rhiannon O’Brien and Casey Hailes each of the departments have worked on incorporating their own style and ideas into their work zones. With the creative fair of Donna Hammond and construction coordination of Daniel Rogers the move has been a great success. The Marketing team will continue to incorporate more design elements and spaces to reinforce our brand and encourage team collaboration and promote that our head office is not just real estate, but is an important communication tool. Creating a strong workplace culture has become a staple of our mission. With our breakout meeting lounge area, private meeting rooms, large board room, new factory, hot desks and reception zone, we are inviting all staff to send through their own creative space name ideas, for each of our new zones. Enjoy your new space! Send your ideas through to CELEBRATE@afford.com.au.
let your abilities soar
www.afford.com.au
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March 2, 2018 - Issue 142
Alastair’s Goal Train Keeps On Rolling Alastair loves all kinds of travel and adventures and is an expert on bush walking. With his adventurous spirit, Alastair has set many goals to travel via public transport, but one that has eluded him and his family and Afford support staff for some time, has been his personal goal of catching the train to the city. After working with Afford for his NDIS Plan, Alastair has been able to receive the support he needs to go after his goals with all of his (considerable) vigour. However, even with additional support, the dream of travelling on the train always seemed out of reach. Alastair crushed his other public transport goals and travelled dozens of times on boats and buses – but never on the train. There was always something to stop him – bad weather to dampen his spirits, a barking dog to make him anxious, or loud children to upset him. But on Tuesday, 20 February this year - success! Alastair walked down to the Summerhill train station, with Lifestyle Assistant, Fei Lan, supporting him. At the train station Alastair sat and waited for the train, without a hint of the usual hesitation. When it was time, Alastair got up and, with a big smile on his face, hopped on the train! On the way out Alastair was taken by the views of city whizzing by, and when he got off at Redfern station he walked to Victoria Park where he celebrated his victory with a nice coffee at a café. Well done Alastair! The Afford community is so proud of your determination and persistence to let your abilities soar!
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Have a laugh
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In the Selfie Above: Butterflies Residents enjoying an outing to Manly beach.
let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au
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