Staff Matters September 13, 2019 Issue 222 Week 11
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF BACK TO BUSH AT CHERRYWOOD HUB! G’day Affordians! Did you know Dave from Bushbred has been busy upgrading and introducing new programs out at Cherrywood Hub? We will have some exciting services being launched over the coming months, so get in early an book your spot. Cherrywood Hub will become a site which offers a range of programs to educate, mentor, stimulate, entertain and support our clients. It will be a site where clients and staff can get back to the bush. Our resident caretaker and Bushbred Program Manager, David Hollier is excited to unveil the programs and has already launched Stage 1 for you to book now! “I’m looking forward to working with your staff and clients to explore new activities in the coming months” Dave. Here is the proposed schedule and availability for the Bushbred programs with a 3 tiered pricing structure:
In This Issue 1
Back To Bush At Cherrywood Hub! Joke of The Week Afford Trivia
2
Back To Bush At Cherrywood Hub Cont.! Reminder
3
A New Era For ADEs
4
A New Era For ADEs Cont. Handyman Timetable Upcoming Events Afford Trivia Answer Selfies of the Week
Level 1 Program – 1 hour experience with social skills $5.00 per client. Level 2 Program – 1 hour experience with learning outcomes and social skills $10.00 per client. Level 3 Program – 1 hour therapeutic group program and 6 -10 week daily living & social skills program $56.00 per client. Optional Extras - For all programs and an extra $5.00 per client, we can include a BBQ Lunch sausage on a roll + drink. Our Bushbred program is in its first stages and will be growing into a one stop adventure hub. Stage 1 – Available Now! Cherrywood Friendship Farm (Level 2) Themed Bushwalks and Campfires (Level 1) – Marshmallows or damper cooked on a campfire. Continued Pg.2
AFFORD TRIVIA
Our 1st Annual Charity Golf Day was held at Dunheved Golf Club in what year?
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Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Stanislav Fosn-Gyeabuor POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Caboolture, QLD FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? Redemption song FAVOURITE MOVIE? Three Idiots FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Watching athletics FAVOURITE FOODS? Chicken & chips
September 13, 2019 Issue 222
BACK TO BUSH AT CHERRYWOOD HUB CONT.! Stage 2 - Commencing October 8th, 2019 You can choose one of the following programs that suit your sites and clients goals: Mates Shed – Social enterprise woodwork, plaiting, saleable items, small item repairs and other projects. Skill Building (Level 2) – Hand tool use, sanding, nailing, problem solving and social skills Step Back in Time (Level 1) – As shown in the images on the front page, step back in time with a horse drawn wagon ride and campfire. Available vehicles will be used to suit the clients needs. Camping Program – There will also be opportunities available to participate in tailor made camping trips available upon request. Farmhand – Work experience is also an opportunity for our clients, where they can get hands on experience and become a farmhand for the day. Stage 3 – Commencing in 2020
IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A peacock
Did you say water sport activities? We will also be incorporating activities such as fishing, boating, canoes and paddle boats. WOW!
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? United Arab Emirates
Camel Trek –There is also an exciting opportunity coming up for a week long camel trek! Prices for the trek are subject to client requirements.
IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Prevent death IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Mental health SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? How much I care about my family
Bush Huts – This program will focus on heritage activities to teach our clients more about our land.
Expressions of interest and bookings for time slots are now being taken. Each activity can be booked in groups of 10 per 1 hour session. Maximum 20 clients per session - several sites may join to make up max numbers. Available Times: Book now to be a Cherrywood farmer, feed the animals and do farm chores! 9:00am – 10:00am 10:00am – 11:00am 11:00am –12:00pm 12:00pm – 1pm or other by arrangement. Looking forward to seeing you and your team soon!
Reminder!
General reminders for ALL Staff: • Reminder to complete ELMO modules • Get magical under the sea at this year’s Annual NSW Gala Ball! Held at the magical Le Montage, this is one event you don’t want to miss! RSVP your Team Leader by the 19th of September. See you there! • Follow manual handling procedures
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September 13, 2019 Issue 222
Staff Matters A NEW ERA FOR ADES
There is a real buzz in the factories with many positive changes being introduced under the guidance of our new gun Executive Manager Commercial Services, Gordon Griff. Gordo, as he is fondly known, was keen to start his transformation with a big push on safety and housekeeping. Part of this initiative was to introduce a series of education and training for all factory staff across our ADEs. Each site was asked to be involved in producing their own induction videos and our Supported Employees were the stars in their own production. Supported Employees have embraced the changes and are taking ownership of enforcing the mandatory fluro vests when on the factory floor. There are signs at all entrances and spare safety vests for all visitors to wear. Our staff are very passionate about their safety and yours too, and pull you up if you don’t have a vest on! With the focus on safety, it is only natural that we are working on housekeeping, as the standard you walk past is the standard you accept. The team have really embraced the, ‘put everything in its place and put all rubbish in the bin' philosophy. Walking into all the ADE factories, you can ensure you are safe by sticking to the bright yellow paths that have been freshly painted this year. These were also featured in the safety video and employees will remind visitors to stay between the lines. But, it’s not just safety that has been a noticeable change in the factory, there is a real positive vibe happening. There has been a change in the staff’s attitude about coming to work. They are excited about working on new projects and working hard to meet deadlines. “I have people letting me know when they are sick, they will call or send a text message. Previously they would just not show up.” – Mariska Tribelhorn, Factory Manager Technology has also had an upgrade with all factories having had fingerprint scanners installed. The fingerprint scanners have been in use since April 2019 and have been a huge success across all sites. The scanners give staff a new responsibility in contributing to making it a safer work environment and helps identify who is on site in the event of an evacuation. Most employees are loving the independence and are now meeting their contracted hours. In addition to this, we are using the NAVISION system for stock control with our larger customers & we are rolling out ISO-9001 Quality standards across the 4 factories. Minchinbury ADE recently won ADE of the Year at the Staff Awards night. Since winning the awards, the Supported Employees want to continue to be the best and it has created an extra drive in their work goals and given them a new target to work towards. Now all factories know the opportunities that await at next year’s Awards, they are all trying to be the best they can be, to win ADE of the Year 2020. Another exciting initiative is the introduction of tours to our customer’s factories, which gives our Supported Employees the opportunity to see what happens at other factories and also helps consolidate the changes we are making. This really helps us showcase and move closer to the standards that all other businesses have in place. It is about ensuring our facilities and work is at the best standard we can achieve. Last year staff members worked hard on a Woolworths Christmas Tree project just to make budget. This year is looking very different, with so much work coming in from our new partnerships we are already well ahead of budget and we are only two months into the new financial year. In addition to this, the sales team are working hard on increasing the margins with our existing customers and ensuring all new work is quoted at much better returns. Improving our factories in yet another intiative is the Step Up opportunity for our Supported Employees, where they can complete an 8 week program called ‘Afford: Leadership’. The program started in February 2019 and is run through the Nepean Community College, arranged by Melanie Lugg, HR Officer for ADEs. Minchinbury ADE has recently finished their program with Marrickville gearing up as the next factory to take on the training.
www.afford.com.au
September 13, 2019 Issue 222
Staff Matters A NEW ERA FOR ADES CONT. On the flip side of work, all factories have launched a free social program, which is run once a quarter. Supported Employees are excited because they get to catch-up with their colleagues in a non-work environment. Recently ADEs let off some steam at their local bowling clubs, playing a game of bowling and enjoying some lunch. The next social event will be to the cinemas! Thanks to the work of our Grants and Fundraising Coordinator, Toni Preston, Afford has been given an Australian Government grant from 'Be Connected'. All sites, including all ADEs, will be receiving iPads and be given the opportunity to learn how to ‘be connected’ in the form of simple online training. “It’s also an opportunity for our Carers who may want to join in and learn” said Mariska. So What Next For ADEs? Cooking is a something that our Supported Employees love getting involved with and cooking a Friday BBQ has become somewhat of a ritual. Gordon has started to look into more opportunities for cooking and lifestyle training for all our Supported Employees within the factories. We are so excited for what’s to come in our factories, watch this space!
Handyman Timetable
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - 16th September: Eschol Park - 17th September: Campbelltown, Glen Alpine, Ingleburn - 18th September: Canley Vale - 19th September: Lakemba, Guildford
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
eck out our QLD Selfie Above: Ch Care team, r South, Custome l splash at the rfu lou co a making ! po Ex s Fresh Future
Pawsome Ladies, MelSelfie Above: Our HR office fur fr , Ant & Kerrie, with iend Horati o!
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
1-30 September
Starlight Movie Month
19 -20 September
Afford Employment Conference
1-30 September
Blue September
1-30 September
Foster Care Month
Afford Trivia Answer: In November 1990!
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