Staff matters August 17, 2018 - Issue 166 Week 7
SPRING CLEAN & RENEWAL: MAKE YOUR SITE YOUR OWN
In This Issue 1 Spring Clean & Renewal:
Make Your site Your Own!
2 Staff Profile CALL OUT to all Afford sites - It’s time for early Spring cleaning and renewal at your site and the time to make your site your own is now! With Spring just around the corner, let’s meet it head on by opening our doors this September to a new look and a fresh site. Team Leaders, this is your opportunity to take ownership of your site and progress it to the next level to truly give it a WOW factor! Taking ownership of your site and making your mark on the way it looks and feels will give you greater pride and appreciation of all that goes on at your site. Not only will a refresh and renewal of your site benefit your clients, it will energise your team and bring new life into your centre to inspire the best from your staff for a great round off to the year. Beautify your site, upgrade facilities and functionality - make sure your site has an amazing sensory room that clients can use and enjoy to its full potential. Don’t delay, this is your chance to shine and create a site that is inviting, inspiring and is worthy of a leading disability service organisation. Send through your quotes and proposals over the next week to Casey Hailes and let the nesting begin! Over the coming weeks we will be showcasing the results of your creative flair with the Afford community. So get nesting because time is of the essence. Start planning your site renewal and be sure to share your progress and completed beautification projects with marketing@afford.com.au.
Let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au
Queensland Update From Maureen’s Desk David’s Taking On Melbourne
3 Make Way For The Makeovers
4 Linda’s Bike
Break Through Upcoming Events Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh
Reminder Don’t forget to send your/clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to
Marketing@afford.com.au
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August 17, 2018 - Issue 166
Staff Profile
Queensland catchup with maureeN
It’s been a busy month for Maureen Brown who has just returned from Queensland where she was involved in recruiting new staff for some of our sites. Afford Queensland has been busy lifting Afford’s presence across the state, engaging with new customers and informing people about the NDIS. Our staff have been working tirelessly to provide new activities to people, including free Club Afford activities, setting up our Day Programs at new locations and getting the word out about Afford and our services. As we continue our positive growth in Queensland, we’ve been busy hiring new staff for various positions. Maureen was happy to let us know that we’ve hired a new District Manager at Caboolture, Queensland, as well as a Customer Care Manager and a Support Coordinator who will be starting on 20 August.
Carl Watson
Customer Care Manager Melbourne Favourite Song: Hold On, We’re Going Home by Drake. Favourite Movie: Kung Fu Hustle. Favourite Hobbies: Sports and gym Favourite Foods: Steak & fries. If you could be an animal what would you be: My Pet Staffy. She has the best life! What is your dream holiday destination: The Greek Islands If you had the power what would you change about the world: Hindsight What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you? Brought triplets into my life. If you had to teach something what would you teach: Building self-esteem in individuals. Something no one knows about me: I’m a master chef and bake a mean chocolate cake!!
let your abilities soar
The new staff will work closely with the existing team in South Eastern Queensland who have begun to see a lot of growth in their clients and activities. South East Queensland also has another team leader who has just started her role. Maureen has also been setting up their induction training, ensuring that they will receive the training and guidance needed to start their roles.
DAVID’S TAKING ON MELBOURNE! Afford provides many opportunities for staff to grow and develop their careers. As part of those opportunities, some Sydney staff have relocated interstate to take on new roles and new experiences.
David Farrell has just moved to Melbourne recently, starting his new role as the Team Leader for a new Afford Melbourne site to be opened in Frankston. David was looking for a new opportunity to be challenged, to grow and to be able to share the Afford culture into Melbourne. “It’s an exciting time in Melbourne as the NDIS is still rolling out in several locations. A lot of families are completely new to the NDIS and they’ve got a lot of questions. I’m really enjoying the experience of being able to set things up here and talk about our services to families,” said David. He just started his new role last Monday after having being a Group Homes Team leader in Sydney for some time. So far, he is busy setting up Afford Day Programs from a booked location three days a week. By establishing Day Programs and also through free Club Afford events, the Melbourne team aim to attract new clients to Afford. “Right now we are going everywhere! Whether it’s expos, events, community halls, libraries, we are handing out Afford flyers and letting people know about our services. I loved my job as a team leader in Sydney, because there were so many new things happening, never a dull moment. I’m looking forward to the new challenge here,” said David.
www.afford.com.au
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August 17, 2018 - Issue 166
MAKE WAY FOR THE MAKEOVERS!
A number of Afford sites have received makeovers recently to brighten up, expand or renew the site. Starting at Head Office with the expansion on level 1, which is now the brand new HR office space. Our Head Office HR Team are growing and with such expansion you can imagine a larger space was needed for the team to be comfortable and work efficiently. It took about four weeks for the work to be completed, with the finishing touches to make the space their own still happening. “I arrived back from working in Queensland this morning and I was overwhelmed! We love our new office!” – Maureen Brown Recruitment & Training Manager. The expansion allows for more space, opening up to eight pods, two interview/ meeting rooms and an office for HR, Executive Manager, Stephanie Forsyth. The move allows the team to be closer to the front desk reception ladies, Melanie Lugg and Mikala Muscatt, and ensures better work efficiency. Head Office was not the only one feeling the love, Ashfield Day Program has received a facelift with their front yard recently being renovated. Team Leaders at Ashfield Day Program really felt that the front yard needed some sprucing up and additional safety features for our clients and through the generosity of MP Jo Haylen and the 2017 Community Building Partnership Funding we were able to enhance the overgrown area including a new ramp for clients to enjoy. Thanks to generous funding, Ashfield Day Program has now also expanded the front yard, making room for more vans to park and allowing easier access to the site. Following Ashfield’s footsteps, Belmore Day Program had a huge makeover from walls being knocked down to flooring being ripped up and replaced. “It really needed it, it needed a refresh!” – Yvonne Droulias Belmore Team Leader. We built a new change room with a sitting hoist, knocked down walls to open up for more space, painted the walls and aim to build a new sensory room! “It took about four weeks to renovate. The clients love it – they all hang out in the new space.” – said Yvonne. We LOVE seeing our staff show off their sites proudly after a well-deserved makeover. Check out Bexley Day Program, where painting has begun through the site. The sensory room has been painted, flooring will soon be completed and the team are just awaiting the arrival of the sensory equipment that has been specially built for the Bexley site. New furniture has also started to arrive, upgrading the old furniture, with bright lounges and chairs and also height adjustable tables so wheelchairs are able to sit at them with ease. Everyone is loving the change including staff and clients. “I like it, I think it has a long way to go but it really has potential to be quite beautiful.” – Stephanie Calaizis Bexley Team Leader. We want to see YOUR team spirit, make your sites your own! Send in your site makeovers and ideas to marketing@afford.com.au
let your abilities soar
www.afford.com.au
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August 17, 2018 - Issue 166
LINDA’S BIKE BREAKTHROUGH!
Afford’s focus on person centred support means that clients are our number one priority. We help them to achieve personal and life goals through positive encouragement and by creating opportunities to let their abilities soar. Linda has been a member of the Afford community for a little over a year now. She joined Ashfield Day Program around two weeks ago and has started with 1:1 support in the community. One of Linda’s personal goals has been to ride a bike. She has always wanted to have the skill to ride a bike but wasn’t quite sure how to get started. With the support of Ashfield Day Program Lifestyle Assistants, Linda soon achieved her goal with great success! Linda was assisted by Lifestyle Assistants, Lily Yugu and Abu Sesay, who supported her to get onto the bike and start rolling! Linda was a little worried about falling off so Abu stayed close by. “Going on the bike was very nice, I also love going out with Dora on Saturdays!” said Linda. Linda’s next goal is to participate in Afford’s Got Talent 2019. Well done Linda! Never stop setting goals!
Stick With Afford!!!
UPCOMING EVENTS Date: 1-31 Aug 1-31 Aug 17-24 Aug 19-25 Aug 20-26 Aug
Event: Wheel Make a Change (Cerebral Palsy Alliance) MS Readathon Book Week Speech Pathology Week Keep Australia Beautiful
Have a laugh
e lfi wee
Sethe
Support Afford and grab a sticker from Team Marketing!
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In the Selfie Above: Mt Druiit DP Clients were excited to wear their new beanies.
let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au
Please send in your selfies or laughs