Staff Matters October 5, 2018 Issue 173 Week 14
RENEWED & REFRESHED EDITION
RENEWED SENSORY STIMULATION
In This Issue
The Spring time refresh and renewal is well underway way, with even more sites coming on board to update their facilities to create amazing, inviting spaces for our staff and clients. Rosie from Allied Health and the team leaders at Bexley Day Program have delivered a sensational transformation of their sensory room and all their effort has made this a wonderful space for all.
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Renewed Sensory Stimulation Joke of The Week Afford Staff Profile Project Princess Dazzles & Shines Mental Health & Well-being
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The refresh program began with old flooring removed to make way for brand new floorboards. Then there was a focus to improve the lighting, so a variety of lighting and colour features were incorporated into the revamped sensory room, such as new string hanging lights (which look like long spaghetti) and sensory boards that light up the whole room. To finish the room the team included a comfy banana chair for all to enjoy. To make a real impact, the room has also been repainted in black, so that when the lights are turned off, the whole room really lights up!
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Awarding Customer Service Superstars
Rouse Hill Have Outdoor Style Celebrating A Decade At Afford Upcoming Events Selfie Of the Week
Bexley Day Program’s refurbished sensory room is now the buzz point for the whole site. It has been a month since the refresh and renewal and the clients and parents absolutely love it. “As soon as the clients come into the Day Program in the morning, the first thing they say is, ‘Can we go to the sensory room?’ says Bexley Day Program Team Leader, Stephanie. It’s so great to hear that the clients are enjoying the new space! A big thank you to Rosie who organised the purchasing of all the different sensory items and the Bexley Day Program team for helping to make sure everything was put in the right place. Wonderful team effort! If If you haven’t already started your site refresh - it’s time to make it a priority. Get cracking and start your Spring time refresh!
REMINDER
Don’t forget to send your/ clients’ achievements, good news storiesand photos to Marketing@afford.com.au
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Melanie Lugg POSITION: Receptionist LOCATION: Minchinbury FAVOURITE SONG? I love RNB FAVOURITE MOVIE? The Last Song or The Heat FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Working out or shopping FAVOURITE FOODS? Donuts IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A puppy WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Bora Bora
October 5, 2018 Issue 173
PROJECT PRINCESS - DAZZLES AND SHINES The Annual Afford Gala Ball is nearly here and this year it will be a celebration of wonder and excitement with an Alice in Wonderland theme. With everyone finalising their outfits for this favourite fairytale theme, we can’t wait to see all the amazing costumes and dresses. The Gala Ball will be held on 13 October at Penrith Panthers Marquee and is sure to be a night for all to remember. The preparations are underway for the exciting event with clients from various sites and programs trying on formal wear at two Project Princess sites in Penrith and Canley Vale. Being able to glam up for one night, dress up in formal wear and look fabulous is something that everyone should be able to do! That’s why we run our Project Princess initiative and encourage people to donate their formal wear to make someone’s night amazing. This year we have had such a huge collection of formal wear come into the sites. We are truly appreciative of all the donations.
WHAT IS THE NICEST THING SOMEONE HAS EVER DONE FOR YOU? Loved me!
Our SLES client, Annalise, has found the perfect dress for the Afford Gala Ball all thanks to the donations made by the generous public.
IF YOU HAD THE POWER WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? For everyone to treat you the way you treat them.
MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING
IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? If I had to teach anything it would be dancing. SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I have twin sisters.
October is Mental Health Month in NSW and we encourage all our staff to take some time to consider ways in which you actively care for your mental health and wellbeing. During this month, we should all take the opportunity to understand the importance of mental health in our everyday lives and ways to identify whether we may be struggling and ways to cope or seek help. Afford has a free EAP (Employee Assistance Program) which provides free counselling sessions to all staff in a private, confidential and safe environment. This year the theme for Mental Health Month is Share the Journey. So if you have any ideas, big or small to help improve mental health and wellbeing, share it with us! If you need support call: EAP- 1800 818728
www.afford.com.au
October 5, 2018 Issue 173
Staff Matters AWARDING CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPERSTARS The Afford culture is all about recognising the staff who go the extra mile to give our clients the best service in the industry. We feel that it’s important to recognise and reward our staff for each district for all their effort. That’s why every month we hold our Customer Service Awards, where we collect and review nominations and then choose the three winners. First, second and third place winners receive a cash prize of $200, $100 and $50 to spend as they wish!
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Leadership and a can-do-attitude are the qualities that deliver exceptional customer service and we’re seeing this more and more across the Afford organisation. To ensure that all sites are able to nominate their customer service winners, we have different nominations for each of the four districts. Recently, this month’s winners were announced. Corporate Services District 1st place - Tayla Clark. Tayla is Afford’s SLES Vocational Trainer who has just recently been promoted to SLES Coordinator. She has contributed so much to the SLES team, constantly creating and running wonderful programs for our participants, supporting our clients and nurturing really positive relationships with carers/parents. We’ve always been able to count on Tayla to do amazing things, so this is a very well deserved win. 2nd place – Laura O’Brien. Laura is an Afford Support Coordinator. She has received some glowing feedback from parents who were incredibly happy with her support for them with their NDIS packaging; responding immediately to parents and their questions and ready to go the extra mile. Well done Laura! 3rd place – Candace Burke and Carla McKinnon as joint third place winners. Carla has gone above and beyond to support her team to ensure that her fellow colleagues feel supported. Her dedication is something that is very much noticed by her team and much appreciated. Candace always arrives at work with a can-do attitude, ready to assist whenever and wherever required. Well done to everyone for their amazing efforts, you are most deserving of the prizes won. All the monthly prize winners will be considered for our amazing end of year grand prizes including an overseas trip, a trip to the Gold Coast and a night in the city. So be on the lookout for exceptional customer service and send a nomination through to HR.
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
October 5, 2018 Issue 173
ROUSE HILL HAVE OUTDOOR STYLE In the spirit of refresh and renewal, Afford’s Marketing Team generously donated an outdoor furniture set to provide to the new Afford Rouse Hill site for the benefit of clients and staff. With this new addition, the clients of Rouse Hill Day Program will now be able to enjoy the outdoors more; doing art and craft activities, or celebrating birthdays and get togethers outdoors. Taking part in activities in the open sunshine and fresh air are great opportunities to encourage the Afford healthy lifestyles ethos. Thanks Michelle for your donation! We look forward to receiving updates from the Rouse Hill team about the use of their new outdoor setting. Keep sending through your refresh and renew ideas and photos to: marketing@afford.com.au
CELEBRATING A DECADE AT AFFORD Congratulations to Afford’s Employment Consultant, Vicky Karamalis, for reaching a 10 year milestone working for Afford. This is such a great achievement for Vicky and one of which she should be very proud. Vicky has been with Afford Employment at Fasirfield for the duration of her time with Afford and has contributed greatly to the lives of many job seekers in her role. Vicky has supported and inspired so many people over the years and continues to do so each and every day. Well Done Vicky! We thank you for all your effort and commitment to supporting Afford clients achieve their personal and work goals.
SELFIE OF THE WEEK
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
1-31 Oct
Girls Night In
1-31 Oct
Mental Health Month
4-11Oct
National Amputee Week
13 Oct
Afford Gala Ball
In the Selfie Above: Don, IT Support, as Mr Bean at Comic-Con.
www.afford.com.au