Afford And Hawks Change The Lives of Footy Fans Staff Profile

STAFF PROFILE

NAME: Kumar Thampan POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Chipping Norton Day Program

FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion

FAVOURITE MOVIE? Titanic

FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Surfing and crossword puzzles

FAVOURITE FOODS? Continental

IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Deer

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Niagara Falls

IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? I would like to change the human perception to reflect the idea – “All towns are our own, everyone our kin” IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? No good or bad thing will come to us through others

SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I have a flair for languages, that has made me a polyglot to some extent.

Afford’s partnership with the Hawks continues to be one of the most successful community partnerships we have had to date. We are very excited to announce that this year Afford, in partnership with Hawthorn, will continue to provide a sensory space at all Hawks home games across the 2020 AFL season! For clients and dedicated footy fans like Ryan, who is a resident from our Cranbourne group home, this makes all of the difference in the world. It means that footy fans with sensory needs and their families can now support their team, enjoy the stadium experience and access the sensory space at all Hawks 2020 season home games. Ryan loves his AFL and as part of the Afford Lifestyle, we support him to access the community, to enjoy the local parks, activities and events. As part of Afford’s partnership with Hawthorn, a special meet and greet for AFL fan, Ryan, was organised. For Ryan, getting to meet some of the legends of AFL such as coach of Hawthorn, Alastair Clarkson, and captain, Ben Stratton, was a dream come true. Ryan was extremely excited to visit the Hawthorn headquarters and Joshua Kent, Team Leader of Afford’s Cranbourne home supported Ryan to travel to Hawks HQ at Waverley Park. During the visit, he was able to get amongst the players and, as Ryan would put it, ‘talk footy’, with his heroes. Ryan had an exclusive VIP experience at Waverley Park and was able to take in the atmosphere and watch the players train. He thoroughly enjoyed watching the drills, seeing the player rooms within the club and had a chance to chat with the coach. Previously, Ryan has had to watch games of AFL from home, on the TV. But now, a new sensory space will provide the opportunity he needs to head out to a game, knowing he has access to the safe and quiet space in case he needs it. The inclusive sensory friendly space was first launched in 2019 and caters to children and adults with sensory sensitivities and incorporates both calming and stimulating zones. The room will have a calming space with sensory lighting, visual displays, a cocoon area for visitors to chill out and relax, bean bags, air cushions, a cuddle ball, comfortable seating, a lightwave floor, and activities such as colouring and putty. We are so excited for what is to come in 2020, with Afford and Hawthorn working together anything is possible! AFFORD AND HAWKS CHANGE THE LIVES OF FOOTY FANS