Staff Matters February 8, 2019 Issue 191 Week 32
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF
INTERSTATE FRONTLINE CONFERENCE SUCCESS
Last month, Client Services Staff Conferences were held in both Queensland and Melbourne, giving our teams many opportunities to get together and share ideas and strategies for success. Mantra Legends Hotel was the stage for the Queensland Clients Services Conference on 17 January, while the Mantra on Russell was the place to be for our Melbourne team on 24 January. Afford CEO, Steven Herald, attended both conferences and addressed the teams; talking about strategic growth of our organisation, financial results and employee benefits and savings incentives through our Employer of Choice initiatives. He also discussed the various employee opportunities available thanks to the rapid growth of our organisation in Queensland and Victoria. One of the most insightful presentations was delivered by Judeth Wilson from Upfront Communications. Judeth highlighted that it is no longer good enough to just deliver ‘good’ customer service. The bar has been raised and now every member of our organisation has to deliver service that is outstanding. At Afford, we are doing an amazing job on this front, however Judeth’s presentation was a good reminder for us all to stay diligent during every encounter.
In This Issue 1
2
Interstate Frontline Conference Success Joke of The Week Access All Our Resources On The Go! Reduce Your Living Expenses With Sevice NSW
3
4
Ashfield Team Support David’s Independence Luxury With An Affordable Price Tag Donna’s Car Washing Her Way To Vanuatu Upcoming Events Selfies of The Week
Following Judeth’s presentation, our Speech Pathologist in each state then took to the stage to deliver an interactive presentation of Dysphagia, Nutrition and Swallowing. In addition, Casey Hailes, Executive Manager – Client Services, also addressed the teams about the roles and responsibilities of Lifestyle Assistants, as well as topics related to Restrictive Practices. Conferences such as these present our teams with great opportunities to learn from each other. There is plenty of information to take in, absorb and apply to our everyday routines and processes, but these events also give everyone the chance to connect with each other and strengthen their team bonds. Attendees commented that they found the presentations very enjoyable and engaging. We look forward to seeing all the great things that the teams have learnt and can action throughout the year ahead.
REMINDER
Don’t forget to send your clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to Marketing@afford.com.au
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Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Geneva Kara POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Frankston DP, Melbourne FAVOURITE SONG? R&B FAVOURITE MOVIE? Action movies FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Walking and short trips FAVOURITE FOODS? Asian IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A dog WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Maldives IF YOU HAD THE POWER WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Greed IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Finding one’s self SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? It’s a secret’
February 8, 2019 Issue 191
ACCESS ALL OUR RESOURCES ON THE GO!
The Marketing Team has established an online tablet booklet that makes it easy to access an overview of Afford services instantly. When speaking with families and clients about the range of supports we offer, simply go to issuu.com/ affordnsw/docs/ipad_menu2 on your tablet and click on any of the services to have further information pop up. This is a great resource to get access to information about Day Programs, SLES services, Afford Employment, NDIS information sessions and more. You can even click to register families and clients to receive our regular email newsletter, Afford Buzz, or to visit. This is a valuable tool that should be utilised at your site. Bookmark issuu. com/affordnsw/docs/ipad_menu2 on your tablet for simple and quick access to all Afford services.
REDUCE YOUR LIVING EXPENSES WITH SERVICE NSW
We like to share information about ways to help you save, so here’s some information about a range of NSW Government rebates - including the latest additions of Energy Switch and Creative Kids. You could be saving hundreds of dollars each year thanks to a range of NSW Government rebates - including the latest additions of Energy Switch and Creative Kids. A family with two children could save $1,000 by using Energy Switch and claiming the Active Kids voucher, Creative Kids voucher and the CTP Green Slip refund. A pensioner concession card holder could save $1,200 if eligible for the Low Income Household Energy Rebate, Gas Rebate, CTP Green Slip refund and free rego. To find out more or to make a booking for a free, one hour appointment with a Cost of Living specialist at a Service NSW Centre, visit - www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/cost-living.
Reminder!
make sure that we have transport to and from programs when it is hot.
• Make sure that we put sun block on our clients, that they wear hats and drink plenty of water.
• If any client is locked in a van and the temperature is over 20 degrees we always ring an ambulance first. Then red alert it.
• We do not let our clients walk distances in the heat. We always
Please remember our duty of care for our clients.
www.afford.com.au
February 8, 2019 Issue 191
Staff Matters ASHFIELD TEAM SUPPORT DAVID’S INDEPENDENCE
We’re so privileged to be a partner with our clients to help them achieve their goals. It’s so heart warming to hear directly from their families just how much our supports have helped their abilities soar. The team at Ashfield Day Program recently welcomed 31-year-old client, David, into their community. He receives support to grow his independence and develop his friendship groups. David attends the site four days a week and really enjoys going swimming, bowling and to the park with his friends from Ashfield. He is very chatty and sociable and loves telling others what day it is, and when major events such as Christmas or holidays, are next coming around. Since joining Afford two months ago, David’s mother, Ellen, has seen a remarkable change. “Since David started the program at Ashfield I have noticed many positive changes. He is much happier and relaxed. I’m very surprised to see David get ready in the morning, waiting happily for Afford to pick him up. I’ve never seen him like this before.” - Ellen Congratulations on outstanding customer service Ashfield team. Such great praise from the family of a new client. It’s great to know that our services truly do have an instant impact on the lives of our clients.
LUXURY WITH AN AFFORDABLE PRICE TAG
Looking to buy your special someone a luxurious gift for Valentine’s Day? Purchase through Afford Rewards and line your pockets with savings, as you buy high-end products without the expensive price tag. Afford Rewards makes pampering your Valentine easy with treatments from Endota Spa and Spa.com. Instant eGift Cards are also available to make it easy to take time out whenever you need it. For the fitness conscious Valentine, active wear from Sportitude and Lorna Jane are the way to go.
Fall in love
Or give the gift of healthy meals delivered to your door from Hello Fresh. Not only is it a gift for health and well being, it also saves time on cooking! By purchasing Hello Fresh through Afford Rewards, you’ll earn $32.50 on your first order!
Treat that special someone in your life to the perfect gift this Valentine’s Day and make great savings too.
Afford Rewards is our way of saying ‘thanks’ for the outstanding work you do to create amazing life experiences for our clients. It is an Employer of Choice initiative that can potentially save you - and your family - thousands of dollars each year.
Show how much you love them (for less).
Every time you shop, Afford Rewards is your best friend. Make your money go further and use Afford Rewards for all your everyday and special purchases.
with our offers
Visit www.affordrewards.com.au
Log onto Afford Rewards at afford.rewardgateway.com.au now and download the Smart Spending app from Google Play or the Apple Store.
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
February 8, 2019 Issue 191
DONNA’S CAR WASHING HER WAY TO VANUATU
Working at Afford means we get to be part of our clients’ journeys and support them to achieve their goals. For Donna from Sunshine Group Home in Penrith, we want to support her to make her dream holiday to Vanuatu a reality. Donna is a real go-getter and eager to book an Afford Getaway Discover Vanuatu Cruise in August. So to earn money to put towards her holiday, she is placing an exclusive call-out to all Afford staff who would like their cars washed. Donna is charging $10 for a car wash and $5 to vacuum the car. Afford staff can book an appointment by calling 0417 698 915. Simply take your car to Donna’s Sunshine home where she has all the cleaning products ready to go. She will have your car spick and span in no time! The 10 day Vanuatu cruise is one that Donna would really like to enjoy. She is most looking forward to relaxing, exploring the ship and different places and having some great cocktails. Supporting our clients’ entrepreneurial spirit is another way of encouraging independence and money skills. If your car needs a clean, be sure to call Donna on 0417 698 915 and let’s support her to enjoy the Vanuatu cruise this year!
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
1-28 Feb
Feel Good February Month
1 -28 Feb FebruDAREy Month
stan from Mt Selfie Above: Tri g his birthday! tin ra Druitt, celeb
Pawsome Se lfie Above: Madeleine Bye with fu r baby, Misty!
9 Feb
International Pet Adoption Day
14 Feb
Valentine’s Day
18 Feb
International Asperger’s Day
22 Feb
World Thinking Day
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