Staff Matters - 162

Staff matters July 20, 2018 - Issue 162 Week 3

afford’s all a-buzz!

In This Issue 1 Afford’s All A-Buzz

2 Staff Profile Afford’s frontline staff have the tremendous responsibility of ensuring that every unique need of each of our clients is met every day.

We know that there are days that are tough, but having a strong team around you makes those days fewer and easier.

Our teams and tribes culture is one that is centred around supporting each other.

Knowing that your peers ‘have your back’ to achieve exceptional client care and support.

To celebrate the wonderful teams that we have across Afford’s many and varied businesses, we encourage all teams to let your hair down at an Afford Buzz Night.

Buzz Nights are a great way to get to know the people you work alongside every day, on a more personal level and in a casual setting. By enjoying relaxed conversation over dinner together you may discover some of the underlying strengths of your team and also get the chance to simly have a laugh all together.

Because we often get tied up with everyday routines and procedures, Buzz Nights offer all of us a chance to take a step back from busy worklife to celebrate team successes and review ways to improve and progress even further.

Knowing your team mates on a personal level will foster camaraderie, trust and a strong support network to ensure we all let our abilities soar to benefit Afford and, most importantly, our clients!

SLES Industry Visit Opens Up Opportunity

3 Afford Funathon Creates Smiles All Around

4 Afford at the Source Kids Disability Expo QLD 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

Let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

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July 20, 2018 - Issue 162

Staff Profile

SLES INDUSTRY VISIT OPENS UP OPPORTUNITY

Mahdia Rahman Afford Marketing Officer

Afford SLES trainers are always on the lookout for opportunities to involve and engage trainees in work life activities across a range of industries.

Favourite Song: Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.

Favourite Movie: Strictly Ballroom.

Favourite Hobbies: Going for walks on the beach.

Favourite Foods: Dessert of all kinds, cakes, ice-cream and chocolate.

If you could be an animal what would you be: Peacock. They’re so graceful.

What is your dream holiday destination: Morocco.

If you had the power what would you change about the world: Poverty – everyone should have the basic necessities of life.

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

When my partner proposed to me, he set up a beautiful picnic rug and decorations at my favourite park by the water.

If you had to teach something what would you teach: To believe in yourself.

Something no one knows about me? I’m a poet! I write and perform poetry and recently had some poems published.

let your abilities soar

Trainees and Trainers from SLES Prestons recently travelled to Liverpool Catholic Club (LCC) to gain better understanding and insight into the roles and responsibilities of employees at the Club, as well as looking into workforce opportunities.

The trainees met Mark Russell CEO at LCC, who gave them a grand tour of the facilities. The tour covered the bistro and kitchen area, the main bar, the fitness and wellbeing centre, ice skating rink, mini putt-putt golf and the in-house butcher shop. The trainees listened intently about the number of employees that were employed and about the ratio of full time staff to part time and casual staff.

They were shown some of the different skills and qualifications needed for specific roles, some of the day to day activities and how to apply for a job at LCC. Trainees had a fantastic time and had the opportunity to ask questions about the different jobs at the Club.

Sarah said: “I really enjoyed the visit to Liverpool Catholic Club. I liked the ice rink. It is an area that I never thought of working in before. I like the idea of working there.”

Bianca commented that “it was interesting to see the hotel area of the club.

It would be a really nice place to work. I found out what the jobs in the hotel industry are called. Areas like reception or doing housekeeping. It’s got me thinking now.”

Once the tour had ended, trainees enjoyed a coffee or hot chocolate and observed how the staff served their customers, what they would say, ask and do, and also witnessed how the employees complete general duties and how they deal with the stress of busy periods.

The trainees thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and all their excitement and enthusiasm led to further discussion about what they had learnt.

Taking part in the LCC tour has opened the door to many different potential jobs within the club industry for Afford trainees, with many trainees now willing to look into doing a hospitality course through TAFE. This is a big step for SLES trainees working towards their goals to ultimately gain open employment and building a solid foundation towards their future. Go SLES!

www.afford.com.au

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July 20, 2018 - Issue 162

Afford Funathon creates smiles all around

It was an explosion of colour, excitement and competition at this year’s much loved and highly anticipated Afford FUNATHON! Held at Blacktown Sports Park this week, Afford clients, staff and friends and family attended the event to enjoy a fun-filled day of activities while also getting to meet some special sporting celebrities.

The day was brimming with sunshine as clients donned their team colours in amazing Afford Funathon t-shirts and took to the field. There were more activities than ever before for clients to enjoy including a climbing wall, jumping castle, t-ball, big game bowling, on field disco and more.

Many clients were able to meet and take a photo with their sporting idols with appearances from the Wests Tigers and Western Sydney Wanderers, and many took the opportunity to get a happy snap with the Penrith Panthers Cheerleaders too.

Competition was tough between ADEs and Day programs. Minchinbury ADE triumphed in the ADE competition, while Chipping Norton Day Program was victorious in the Day Program race. In the usual Afford spirit, everyone finished with smiles and congratulated the winners, while also scknowlegding the efforts of all who took part.

The residents of Dolphin Cove and Billabong enjoyed playing t-ball, while others put their skills to the test at the Wanderers goal kicking activity. Lunch was a welcome break after a jam-packed day of activity and excitement and everyone relaxed over a sausage sizzle lunch, before getting back into gear for the flutug race.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who contributed to this magnificent Funathon for the enjoyment of Afford clients. Go Afford!

let your abilities soar

www.afford.com.au

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July 20, 2018 - Issue 162

Afford at the Source Kids Disability Expo QLD

Afford made a colourful appearance at the Source Kids Disability Expo from 6 to 7 July at the Brisbane Convention Centre. The event gathered the latest disability product and service providers with some incredible speakers. The Expo focussed on accessibility and flexible disability service options for people with disability.

Afford was included as a stand holder at the event and, as usual, the stand was buzzing with vibrant banners and people on hand to help those with questions. The team manning the stand received a great turnout with many parents wanting to know more about Afford and how we can support their children in the crucial stage of NDIS planning.

A big thanks and shout out has to go to Afford’s awesome team - Allan Sio, Aaron Young, Antoinette Viray, Sereana, Nancy, Corina and Sherryl - for attending the Expo and manning the stand to help out all day.

The team helped with setting up the stall, being present to answer questions and to talk to parents about all Afford service offerings for children and teenagers under 18. Many parents had many questions about the NDIS; what it means for them and their family; and how they can access funding and services.

Afford services for youth include one-to-one Allied Health services such as Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychology, Afford’s SLES, Day Programs, Vacation Care, Drop in Support and Allied Health. The team are looking forward to launching these services to clients in Queensland who are completely new to all things NDIS. As always, Afford’s Queensland team has hit the ground running and have already begun to deliver oneto-one support and drop-in-support to clients in the state. Great job team!

We are so excited about extending Afford’s quality services to Queensland.

fl ieweek

Upcoming Events Date:

Event:

24 July

Stress Down Day

27 July

Crazy Hair Day

27 July

White Ribbon Day

30 July

International Day of Friendship

28 Jul - 3 Aug

Be A Superhero

1-31 August

MS Readathon

3 August

Gold Coast Disabilty Expo

4-11 August

Dental Health Week

5 August

Jeans for Genes Day

Have a laugh

Sethe of

This is Susan Guest and her neighbour Carla Smith at the Funathon. Carla also attends Afford Belmore Day Program.

thuglifememe.com Please send in your selfies or laughs

let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au