Staff Matters 156

Staff matters June 8, 2018 - Issue 156 Week 49

Afford Wage Increase for All

In This Issue

As an Employer of Choice, Afford is always looking for ways to reward staff achievements, recognise exceptional staff efforts and celebrate success.

1 Afford Wage Increase For All

We are thrilled that 94% of Afford staff feel a sense of personal accomplishment in their role, and that staff feel higher income satisfaction and a higher belief in career opportunities at Afford*.

2 Staff Profile Jumbo Games For Jumbo Fun!

So, as another way for Afford to show gratitude for staff going above and beyond to truly make Afford the best disability service provider in Sydney, today Afford has announced that ALL employees will be receiving a 3.5% wage increase.

The Fair Work Commission has applied a 3.5% increase to modern awards and the minimum wage, effective the first full pay period of July 2018.

Whilst this increase applies to award rates only, Afford have decided to apply the 3.5% to the wages and allowances of ALL staff. Afford prides itself in being an Employer of Choice and is very excited to pass this increase to our staff.

P EM

LOYER

A Visit From An Old Friend At Chipping Norton

3 Cashing In On Collecting Luis’ New Ride

4 Mini Golf Mania Upcoming Events

OF

CHOICE

Well deserved team! Keep striving for your best! *When compared to the industry average, Afford’s 2017 Staff Survey

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

Let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

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June 8, 2018 - Issue 156

Staff Profile

JUMBO GAMES CREATE JUMBO FUN Afford Day Programs were extremely excited to receive a JUMBO board game last week as part of a new sensory engagement initiative for all sites.

The board games are jumbo sized, with large pieces and boards, which encourages clients to physically pick up pieces to move them and interact with the game. The games support clients to develop movement, as they and hold the board pieces with ease.

Eitiare Ru (Tia) Team Manager Bexley Day Program

Poppy is a client who really enjoys playing the new games. “ It’s good, good, good. I like connect four,” said Poppy.

Favourite Song: The Prayer by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli.

When he first saw the games, George Sotiropolous said: “I like the buttons.

It’s fun playing connect 4 with my friends.”

Favourite Movie: Troy Favourite Hobbies: Working on our family farm, adventures and working out at the gym.

Favourite Foods: Asian Cuisines, anything tasty, who am I kidding I love all foods actually.

If you could be an animal what would you be: Tigers: A horse What is your dream holiday destination: Tahiti

The board games encourage logical thinking, improving hand and eye co-ordination and promoting team work.

All the clients have had a great reaction with smiles and laughter all around.

Who’s up for the next game?

A VISIT FROM AN OLD FRIEND AT CHIPPING NORTON Last Thursday morning, clients from Chipping Norton Day Program were very excited to learn that they would be receiving a visit from an old four legged friend called, Liam.

If you had the power what would you change about the world: Human trafficking

Liam is a horse that lives at Warwick Farm, who met the clients of the Chipping Norton Day Program one afternoon when he and his owner, Joanne, were out for a leisurely ride.

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

Surprise holiday for my 30th.

Joanne was riding past the Day Program when she noticed everyone out the front. She decided to bring Liam over to say hello. Everyone instantly fell in love with Liam and his placid nature.

If you had to teach something what would you teach: Time management.

Since then Liam has been visiting Chipping Norton for years and loves having a pat and a munch on some carrots (one of his favourite snacks) every time he visits.

Liam’s easy-going nature and the fact that he has been visiting the Chipping Norton Day Program for several years, means that he is familiar with the Something no one knows about surroundings and is able to remain calm and comfortable to allow Afford me? clients to approach him to interact.

I’m a perfectionist.

Animals provide therapy to Afford clients and can help clients learn to deal with social interactions and situations, build relationships, as well as sensory touching and feeling.

let your abilities soar

We’re all looking forward to seeing the next visit from Liam the horse!

www.afford.com.au

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June 8, 2018 - Issue 156

CASHING IN ON COLLECTING Donna is a resident of one of Afford’s Group Homes who has discovered a wonderful activity that allows her to contribute positively to her local community and the environment, as well as making herself a little extra cash.

Every month, Donna collects empty bottles and cans that she has bought or that her housemates have set aside for recycling, as well as any empty bottles and cans from Afford staff.

Donna collects these and stores them in a bin outside her house. Then, each month when the bin is full, she will ask staff to support her to the local return and earn machines at Cranebrook shops.

Once there, Donna empties all her bottles and cans into the machine. After entering all her bottles into the machine, Donna receives a voucher which she then takes into the local IGA at the shops to exchange for cash.

Over time and with Afford staff support, Donna has learnt to use the return and earn machines herself and now collects and returns the bottles and cans she collects all on her own.

With Afford’s support, Donna has developed her organisation, money and communication skills to be able to successfully collect, return and redeem the bottles and cans independently.

Donna has been doing this for a couple of months and is always happy to receive the little bit of extra cash!

“I love collecting the money and getting extra to buy things I couldn’t without it,” said Donna.

Our whole-of-life approach to disability support means that we support clients at home, at work and through life to reach their personal goals and learn skills that will continue to help them throughout life.

Well done Donna! We are all proud of your amazing efforts and success!

LUIS’ NEW RIDE

Luis Alvarez is a client at Afford Cherrywood Day Program that has experienced a truly inspiring transformation since joining the Afford community.

When Luis first started with Afford, he was quite unwell and was told he needed to undergo an operation for a kidney transplant. He had little energy and spent much of his time at home; frail and inactive.

A year and a half later, Luis is a completely different person. Luis had his kidney transplant operation and pushed through like a soldier to become a more active and engaging man.

He now exercises every day, participates in programs such as Don Bosco Youth Club, goes to the gym and plays soccer and cricket with his peers. He also enjoys gardening; especially getting his hands dirty and getting involved.

Luis’s NDIS goal: “I would like assessment and support so that I can have my communication skills enhanced and my fears and anxieties addressed to reduce my frustrations and build my resilience.”

Recently, Luis smashed this goal, requesting support to get onto a bike and ride it for the first time in his life at Cherrywood Day Program!

Luis communicated his excitement and happiness with a massive smile and waving of his arms in the air.

We have watched Luis transform into young man full of life and vitality – Go Luis!

let your abilities soar

www.afford.com.au

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June 8, 2018 - Issue 156

Mini Golf Mania Clients at Glen Alpine enjoyed a fun and interactive day playing mini-golf at Mega Mini Golf in Campbelltown.

It was a nice day to get out and about so they all took turns and played friendly matches with each other while trying their best to get a hole-inone.

It was a great way to keep fit, get outdoors and enjoy some time with one another. The clients also improved their maths skills by counting up their scores and also improved their hand –eye coordination as they attempted to get a hole-in-one.

It’s always great to see a smile on our clients faces. Well done to everyone who gave it a go.

Upcoming Events Date:

1-30 June 8 June 11 - 17 June 1 -31 July 1 - 8 July 8 - 14 July

Event:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month World Oceans Day International Men’s Health Week Fragile X Awareness Month NAIDOC Week National Diabetes Week

fieweek l e

Have a laugh

S the of

Warehouse Coordinator Susan Guest cheering for the Blues VS. Warehouse Supervisor Bo Gartside cheering for the Maroons.

let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

Please send in your selfies or laughs