Staff Matters 227

Staff Matters October 18, 2019 Issue 227 Week 16

CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF DON’T WAIT FOR ALLIED HEALTH

Why wait? Afford have a NO WAIT TIME for our Speech Therapy services in Queensland!! Also, Victoria currently has a SHORT WAIT list for Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy!

Such short wait times are practically unheard of in our sector and is a real point of difference for Afford. So, right now is the perfect time to enquire about Afford Allied Health support for clients you know who may benefit from these services.

We have a passionate and creative Allied Health team, which has grown exponentially in the last year – in 2018/19 we welcomed 30 new clinicians to the Afford Community! The work they do is producing amazing and life changing outcomes for our clients every day.

All the teams have introduced some unique and specialised interventions to get great results with our clients. One example is the successful implementation of communication aids by the Speech and Language Therapists, which is seeing amazing results including clients speaking for the first time.

In This Issue 1

Don't Wait For Allied Health Wise Words Afford Trivia

2

SLES Soars In Queensland Reminder

3

Afford Reminder - Drive Safe

4

Your Chance To Be Connected Handyman Timetable Upcoming Events Afford Trivia Answer Selfies of the Week

We have seen great success in the OT space as well, with some life changing stories coming through like Darryl finding his independence out of residential aged care and into an Afford Group Home, little Farrah taking her first steps in years, and Sharlene’s custom beach wheelchair.

The proof is in the pudding and we are so proud to be able to offer these supports to the Afford Community. All of Afford’s Allied Health therapists are able to offer 1:1 sessions, group sessions, training for staff & families, support in the community, and home visits.

If you can see one of your clients being able to benefit from these services, now is the time to book. You can contact the Allied Health team on 1300 233 673 or by emailing alliedhealth@afford.com.au.

AFFORD TRIVIA

What year did employment offices open in Bankstown and Fairfield?

www.afford.com.au

Staff Matters

STAFF PROFILE NAME: Liana Lowe POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Beenleigh, QLD South FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? Stand By Me - Ben E King FAVOURITE MOVIE? Dirty Dancing FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Photography and being in nature FAVOURITE FOODS? Pasta IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A siberian tiger WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? North America IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Get rid of hate and have more love IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? How to be kind to others SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I would love to be remembered for making a positive difference in the world

October 18, 2019 Issue 227

SLES SOARS IN QUEENSLAND Afford School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) recently launched in Queensland! This is the first of our employment services to expand into the Queensland market and yet another checkbox ticked as we continue to grow as an organisation nationally.

Southport Information sessions kicked off at the end of September and continue running until the end of October, with plenty of interested trainees attending.

The NSW SLES program has been a pioneer for amazing outcomes for clients.

Our trainers listen to trainees’ goals and together with trainers, they develop a personalised plan which is regularly reviewed and may include invaluable skills such as: •

Developing work ready skills, e.g. money handling, barista training

•

Communicating to an employer

•

Improving customer service skills

•

Job application and job seeking skills

•

Creating a resume and cover letter

SLES will be building its presence in the Southport market before expanding into our other Queensland sites, with Symone Marjanovic, Employment Supports Manager, working hard to build up a client base. “I am working on supporting our clients at planning meetings with the NDIS. I’m hoping this will generate more clients.”

“It is very exciting to open in QLD - But it will take time to build up and gain peoples trust. The Customer Care team in QLD are selling selling selling SLES as it’s a life changing program!!” – Symone Marjanovic, Employment Supports Manager.

Reminder!

A general reminder for ALL Staff: • Remember to complete the staff survey as it's important to have your say! Casuals are paid for their time to complete the survey. https://survey.voiceproject.com/home/anonymous/D39F40E3-1049- 4466-B3C5-B6BFDACC8846

www.afford.com.au

October 18, 2019 Issue 227

Staff Matters AFFORD REMINDER- DRIVE SAFE

Afford provides regular training for staff members through the Drive to Survive Training program, to teach awareness and valuable lifesaving skills while on the road.

We have invested in safe, comfortable and branded vehicles for clients and staff to enjoy. In return, Afford staff are responsible for maintaining vehicles which includes keeping them clean and washed at least once a week.

It is particularly important to remember that if you drive for work in a branded vehicle to keep safety in mind at all times.

Keep the following tips in mind to protect yourself, our clients and other road users.

Stay Focused & Alert Anytime you’re behind the wheel, it’s important to keep your attention focused on the road. A lapse in attention – whether to adjust the radio or eat a snack – can cause an accident and injure you and other people on the road.

Obey Road Rules & Limits Make sure you keep to the speed limit and obey all road laws. If you think you could benefit from more driver training, as an Employer of Choice Afford supports regular driver safety training courses.

Stay Off Your Mobile Phone It’s tempting to multitask when you’re behind the wheel, but mobile phones cause accidents.

Remember to use a Bluetooth hands free device if you want to stay connected in the car.

Afford staff strictly must never, ever, use their phones while driving.

Remember Road Etiquette - You represent Afford when driving a company car.

The way that you drive says everything about you and your company. Make a positive statement by following basic road etiquette and avoiding aggressive driving: • Keep your cool in traffic!

• Be patient and courteous to other drivers.

• Do not take other drivers’ actions personally • Reduce your stress by planning your route ahead of time (bring the maps and directions), allowing plenty of travel time, and avoiding crowded roadways and busy driving times.

It is incredibly important to recognise that every time you use an Afford vehicle to transport clients, their wellbeing is in your hands.

This means that we must be vigilant in developing seating plans for trips, to ensure the best care for our clients on the road.

Seating plans must be a priority to ensure the safety of our clients.

Remember that every time you are on the road in an Afford vehicle, you are representing our brand and looking after the wellbeing of clients. So stay safe and be a responsible driver!

www.afford.com.au

October 18, 2019 Issue 227

Staff Matters YOUR CHANCE TO BE CONNECTED Thanks to the work of our Grants and Fundraising Coordinator, Toni Preston, Afford has been given an Australian Government grant from ‘Be Connected’, that will allow our clients, carers, staff and all members of the Afford Community over 50 to update their tech skills.

For many people, the idea of using the internet as a means of contacting people, making appointments and researching information may seem daunting. But getting connected is easier than you think with the support of Afford.

As part of the grant, all sites will be receiving iPads and will be provided with online training for clients and carers to learn how to get connected.

Spread the word and encourage clients and carers to join, learn new skills in the upcoming courses, which include: • The essentials

• Get to know your device

• Getting started online

• Safety first

• More online skills

• Connecting with others

Let’s get connected!

Handyman Timetable

Meet Our Handyman Tahier

Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - 21st October: Sunshine, Panthers, Empire & Bluebird - 22nd October: Minchinbury, Mount Druitt & St. Marys - 23rd October: Canley Vale & Eschol Park - 24th October: Mount Annan – Office cupboard project

SELFIES OF THE WEEK

ptune, Mary Selfie Above: Ne Windsor Place and South a family ing joy en ts, residen BBQ.

Pawsome Se lfie Above: and Tracey Younie at C Madeleine Bye herrywood .

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:

EVENT:

24 October

World Polio Day

15-21 October

National Carers Week

1-31 October

Girls' Night In

1-31 October

Walktober

Afford Trivia Answer: 2013

www.afford.com.au