Staff Matters 205

Staff Matters May 17, 2019 Issue 205 Week 44

CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF

EXPO EXTRAVAGANZA!

The

Afford's presence across the East Coast at multiple Expos over the last week has gone a long way in strengthing our reputation in local communities. It was a jam packed weekend for the Afford HR team, who attended the Victorian VCE and Careers Expo at the Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, and for QLD Customer Care Team who shined at the farm themed bonanza that was the Fresh Futures Expo in Brisbane last Wednesday.

The VCE Expo weekend was attended by our NSW HR Team, Nicole Luland (Recruitment Manager), Natalie Daniels (Internal Recruiter), Renee Sinclair (Internal Recruiter) and Kellie Carruthers (Melbourne Customer Care Manager). The event was strongly focused around school leavers looking for their next step.

Afford was one of 140 exhibitors displaying our services, and providing information about working in the Disability Sector.

In This Issue 1

Joke of The Week

2

30K Leads The Way

3

Afford Supports An Inclusive Melbourne

Welcome New Appointments

Reminder

4

“The days were busy, there was a lot of interest for what a job in disability would look like. It was a good opportunity to engage with a younger audience.” – Nicole Luland Recruitment Manager.

Expo Extravaganza

Afford To have Good Mental Health Upcoming Events Selfies of The Week

We know that under the NDIS, the increased in demand for services will prompt huge growth to the disability workforce and it is pleasing to see that new entrants to the workforce are considering carers in disability.The HR Team will be heading back to Melbourne in July to attend the largely anticipated Melbourne Career Expo and we hope to get some great candidates!

At the Brisbane Fresh Futures Expo our QLD Customer Care team capitalised on our opportunity as Gold Sponsors of the event to connect with school teachers, students and parents who were looking for ways to increase social participation and after-school options.

Our team showcased Afford services to the 1500 attendees at the event, with the main enquiry on the day relating to our SLES, Club Afford and Day Programs offerings.

We were excited to give away an iPad to one lucky visitor at the Afford stall, which was a popular drawcard. Overall the event was a great success and the team are looking forward to the upcoming Gold Coast Fresh Futures Expo later this month.

It’s been great to see the Afford Way so strongly represented along the Eastern Seaboard this week!

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: Lisa Fahrner POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Redlands Respite, QLD

FAVOURITE SONG? Whatever You Like - T.I. FAVOURITE MOVIE? Harry Potter FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Playing guitar, horse riding & kick boxing FAVOURITE FOODS? All foods IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL WHAT WOULD YOU BE? An elephant WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? An island in Croatia

May 17, 2019 Issue 205

$30K

LEADS THE WAY

Our Customer Care team got together for their May Monthly Mixer in Melbourne on Monday (try saying that 5 times fast!).

The monthly catch-up is extremely important for Customer Care, as it provides opportunities for the geographically spread team to learn from one-another and develops a network of support for the sales professionals who work individually out of the boot of their cars.

Christina Emmanouel and Steve Herald opened the event with a team meeting and stressed the role of Customer Care as one of the largest items of strategic importance to Afford, given their role in introducing new clients to Afford’s support.

The theme of this Mixer was ‘$30k’ – the new weekly baseline target of each team member – which together with their Friday Conference Calls places a greater emphasis on generating momentum through the team’s weekly heartbeat.

With the support of Operations which was well represented at the event, and Afford’s vibrant and can-do culture, the team have exceptionally strong foundations for success.

“We truly have an incredible team of sales professionals in Customer Care and I have no doubt that the team will hit it out of the park.” – Christina Emmanouel, Executive Manager Commercial Development The $30k Mixer was also an opportunity for the team to jump on board the Afford tram, and see the Southern-most patch of Afford’s footprint.

This was the first time the national team have met in Melbourne, and for some staff, Afford provided them with their first ever opportunity to visit the city in a real ‘I love my job’ moment!

IF YOU HAD THE POWER WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Racism IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Patience SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? It's a secret

We would like to congratulate the following Affordian on their new appointment: • Tahlia Anforth - Lifestyle Assistant, Nowra

www.afford.com.au

May 17, 2019 Issue 205

Staff Matters AFFORD SUPPORTS AN INCLUSIVE MELBOURNE

For over 66 years we've been providing disability supports that help our clients realise their dreams and soar beyond barriers, to enjoy life experiences they may have never thought possible. At Afford, our aim is to holistically support people of all abilities to enjoy and get the most out of every part of what life has to offer.

We're pushing the boundaries of traditional disability supports to partner with large mainstream organisations such as the Hawthorn Hawks and Yarra Trams in Melbourne, and Wests Tigers in Sydney, to encourage greater inclusion across foundational aspects of our wider communities such as sport and transport.

Our Melbourne Ops and Marketing teams recently gathered some of the big names in AFL to celebrate our journey toward creating an inclusive Melbourne by coming together publically and seeing our Afford tram up close.

After Afford was named a 2019 Yarra Trams Community Partner – which has seen an entire tram wrapped in images of Afford clients of all abilities – Hawthorn Hawks jumped on board with Afford to lend their support to our cause with Hawthorn FC AFL Player, Jack Scrimshaw, Hawthorn FC's Wheelchair team player, Troy Hawkins and Hawthorn FC's FIDA (Football Integration Development Association) team player, Jordy, joining with Afford clients Samuel, Jacob and Jack, in front of the newly wrapped Afford tram, to celebrate our partnership and joint goal of promoting an inclusive Melbourne.

The Afford Tram (#3008) can be seen passing the MCG on Route 48 (North Balwyn to Victoria Harbour Docklands) and can also be seen on Route 109 (Box Hill to Port Melbourne) until July this year. We’re so proud to have 10,000s of Melbournians jumping on board with Afford!

Reminder!

Reminder to be safe, alert and aware of your surroundings.

It is important to always follow the correct lock up procedures to ensure that our sites are safe.

• Use the buddy system - don't stay onsite late alone • Review contact telephone numbers and work safety practices • Always be aware of your surroundings and if the premise is secure

www.afford.com.au

May 17, 2019 Issue 205

Staff Matters AFFORD TO HAVE GOOD MENTAL HEALTH At Afford, the Afford Way promotes positive health and wellbeing initiatives for all our staff. Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, confidential and complimentary counselling service that we offer for all employees and their families.

In the last year we have offered our staff 180 hours+of counselling and support through the EAP program, and we are proud to continue to offer this benefit to all staff, both permanent and casual. EAP is a short-term, solution focused approach to help you enhance your overall wellbeing. If you are interested in assistance with personal, family or work related concerns that are impacting on your health or quality of life, you can contact EAP and make an appointment for face-to-face, online or telephone counselling services.

Assistance is provided for:

• Parenting

• Decision making

• Relationships

• Goal setting

• Grief and loss

• Stress and anxiety

• Drugs and alcohol

• Communication skills

• Conflicts

• Work/life effectiveness

• Workplace concerns

• Depression

• Financial and legal concerns

Mental illness in Australia is very common. One in five (20%) Australians aged 16 - 85 experience a mental illness in any year. Unfortunately 54% of people with mental illness do not access any treatment and continue without support - that’s why Afford are dedicated to keeping your health in mind by making access to free and fully-confidential support easy.

Contact AccessEAP - 1800 818 728 or info@accesseap.com.au

SELFIES OF THE WEEK

niel Rogers Selfie Above: Da w selfie ne e th t testing ou ll! wa s ng wi

Pawsome Botha fromSelfie Above: Clarissa flying friendWindsor DP with he r !

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:

EVENT:

1 - 31st May

Art for Epilepsy

1 - 31st May

Mindful May

1 - 31st May

65 Roses Challenge

20 - 26th May

National Volunteer Week

22nd May

WOW Day

23rd May

World Turtle Day

www.afford.com.au