Staff Matters 182

Staff Matters December 7, 2018 Issue 182 Week 23

RENEWED & REFRESHED EDITION

CHRISTMAS CRUISE CHEER IN MELBOURNE

Our Melbourne Team has worked hard this year to get the word out to Melbournians about what being part of the Afford community is all about.

They have showcased our services at expos, been on the ground talking to new clients and families and working with Head Office to expand our services in Victoria across Group Homes, Day Programs and more. This is a big team effort, with new property, staff, and relationships all needed to gain momentum in Victoria as a new service area.

In This Issue 1

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Christmas Cruise Cheer in Melbourne Joke of The Week Training Up Our Staff To Lead The Way Afford Gets Jolly With Christmas Cards

After a year of hard work and determination, it was great to see the local team let their hair down at the recent Melbourne Staff Christmas Cruise. Victoria Star Cruises was the host vessel for the evening’s festivities.

Not only was the evening a great chance for our Melbourne Team to get together, it was also an opportunity for many interstate staff to touch base with their counterparts who they’ve been dealing with remotely throughout the year.

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Afford’s Customer Service A Step Above The Rest

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Celebrating International Day Of People With Disability Upcoming Events Selfies of The Week

Along with Sydney and QLD HO staff members such as Casey Hailes, Rhiannon O’Brien, Allan Sio, Emma Hunter, Mel Lugg and Kirstin Healey, there were also several new staff from Melbourne who attended, including new District Manager, Katie Nuth.

The night presented everyone with a wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know others in the Afford Community, especially for staff typically rostered on 1-to-1 shifts.

Like all Afford events, the Christmas cruise was a night to remember and most importantly, was a celebration of our success so far. A selection of finger food was served as well as drinks to keep everyone pumped and in good spirits. The DJ really got the good vibes going with awesome tunes and solid success in getting everyone up on the dance floor. Celebrations were so good that most carried on to the after party at a nearby club.

Aside from having a great time, everyone chatted about all that had been achieved this year and, of course, what 2019 would bring for Afford in Melbourne. Keep the good times rolling Melbourne Team!

REMINDER

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

www.afford.com.au

Staff Matters

STAFF PROFILE NAME: Serina Holtzhausen POSITION: Business Development Officer LOCATION: Western Sydney FAVOURITE SONG? There are so many to choose from but at the moment it is Joy from for King and Country FAVOURITE MOVIE? At the moment it is The Greatest Showman.

Normally anything with action is good FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Exploring the beaches, 4x4ing and crocheting FAVOURITE FOODS? Love most foods, my favorite is anything with spice and chilli IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD YOU BE? An eagle WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Scotland IF YOU HAD THE POWER WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? I would want the world to see the world as my daughter Kaitlin does IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? History SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I got state colors for gymnastics when I was younger

December 7, 2018 Issue 182

TRAINING UP OUR STAFF TO LEAD THE WAY

Last month, our Speech Therapy Team - Audrey from Melbourne, Linda and Helena from Sydney and Lauren from QLD - attended specialised training that covered the assessment and treatment of picky eaters and problem feeders using the SOS Approach to Feeding.

The training was held all the way over in Perth, proving that nowhere is too far for Afford staff to receive the best training that Australia has to offer. The training was valuable in providing our therapists with the knowledge to identify feeding problems and the ability to create and implement feeding programs within a group or on an individual basis.

P EM

OF

LOYER

CHOICE

The course was presented by Dr. Kay Twomey and Bethany Kortsha from the US, who are the original creators of the program and have 30 years’ experience.

The training was intense and required a lot of concentration across four days in order to be able to be deemed competent and receive certification.

In addition to being a great learning and Employer of Choice experience, the training also presented opportunities for our Allied Health Professionals to network with therapists from other organisations from NSW, Victoria and Queensland, as well as professionals from different disciplines e.g. OTs, dieticians, psychologists. As our Afford Speech Therapists are based across three states, it was a very worthwhile team-bonding exercise.

Our therapists are now qualified SOS Feeding therapists and will begin launching Afford Feeding Clinics which will open in 2019. The launch of Afford Feeding Clinics will be a very valuable addition to Afford services, and one which will be truly life-changing for clients involved.

AFFORD GETS JOLLY WITH CHRISTMAS CARDS

Thank you to everyone who submitted a design for the Christmas Card Competition. Rahil from Belmore Day Program, Michael from Penrith SLES, and Wesley from Empire House are our lucky competition winners and have been sent a pack of goodies as congratulations for their amazing card designs.

For the first time this year, Afford will be sending out Christmas cards to our Afford Supporters and clients, families and carers that showcase the Afford colours and brand position of ‘We Care!’

The card presents a jolly little elf on the front and a personal message inside to reflect our friendly and vibrant community and services, as well as the Christmas spirit.

Look out for our new card design for 2018!

www.afford.com.au

December 7, 2018 Issue 182

Staff Matters

AFFORD’S CUSTOMER SERVICE A STEP ABOVE THE REST

Afford is a leader in the disability sector because we care. This idea of ‘caring’ is about genuinely understanding our clients’ needs and doing everything possible to support them to lead fulfilling lives.

That’s what makes Afford staff highly regarded across the industry and sets us apart from other service providers.

Whether you’re at an Afford site, or out and about in the community with clients, our service is always on display. Many of you may think that your good work goes unnoticed, but we recently received some feedback from a member of the public about Lifestyle Assistant, Nicolas, that may make you think otherwise: “I was absolutely delighted to witness such a beautiful bond between a support worker and client. Earlier today I was having lunch in Penrith at Rashays when a client from Canley Vale Day Program approached me. I offered the client and his support worker (Nicolas) to join us for lunch.

I observed the way Nicolas supported his client, and it was truly amazing to see. Nicolas guided his client and helped him with basic skills and table manners. He continued to redirect and visually show his client.

Nicolas and his client are both deaf, so Nicolas used sign language to communicate and took a lot of time explaining things to his client.

I can’t describe how beautiful it was to witness this in our community. Nicolas had a fine eye to detail and helped support his client the best way he could by using sign language. It was an absolute pleasure to have had this client and Nicolas join us for lunch. I am truly inspired by this staff member.”

- Christine Nicolas, we are so proud to have you as part of the Afford community. You have inspired us all to strive higher in delivering exceptional support to our clients. You have also taught us all that appreciating our clients’ needs can help us to deliver quality experiences for our clients that are visible for all to see.

Well done, Nicolas!

www.afford.com.au

Staff Matters

December 7, 2018 Issue 182

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY This week we celebrated International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) on 3 December, with many Afford Day Programs and businesses getting involved in recognising this special day by celebrating at their sites or visiting local events.

Through our services we champion this year’s IDPwD themes of individual empowerment, inclusive communities and equality for people of all abilities. It is this promise that makes us a leader in the industry and that ensures we provide exceptional service for our clients each and every day.

To celebrate, our Blacktown and Kings Park Day Program clients took part in IDPwD activities at Blacktown Showground, Richmond run by Blacktown City Council. They enjoyed a BBQ, activities, including a silent disco and much more. Our Cherrywood Hub was a hive of activity with a high tea with Afford Supporters, clients and their families and carers enjoying delicious treats and there were loads of fun activities for our clients. Afford Employment in Blacktown also held an Open Day to provide the general public with an insight into the many employment opportunities available for people with disability.

Celebrating achievement and ability is an important part of our role as a disability service provider, to promote inclusiveness and equality for all. That’s why Afford has put together a series of videos showcasing amazing client stories. Check them out on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UC3PfcqVQNSqtjsoswBxYtfA

SELFIES OF THE WEEK

Zac & ove: DP Client, In the Selfie Ab IDPWD at n fu g vin ha , Staff, Kiesha celebrations.

Pawsome Se lfie Above: Mel’s Daughter, Ranni, with her Bluey!

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:

EVENT:

1-31 Dec

Decembeard Australia

11 Dec

VIC Client Christmas Party

12 Dec

VIC Kids Christmas Party

14 Dec

NSW Client Chritmas Party

18 Dec

Afford’s 66th Birthday

www.afford.com.au