Staff Matters May 15, 2020 Issue 257 Week 46
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF SUPPORT TO UPSKILL YOURSELF!
Due to changing community restrictions many are finding their daily lives are not as busy with socialising, travel or outings. You may have more spare time at home, after work and on weekends available to spend on upskilling yourself through online studies! 2020 has been one of challenge and change, but that does not mean that we cannot set new goals or revisit old goals that may have been on your, would like to do list. If you have ever thought about studying and expanding your skills and knowledge, then we encourage you to take advantage of Afford’s Study Support program or enrol in a free short course online.
In This Issue 1
Support to Upskill Yourself! Afford Trivia Ask Our CEO
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In 2019 Afford launched a new Employer of Choice initiative, dedicated to providing our staff with opportunities for career development, growth of their professional skill set and knowledge in our industry. We have the best trained staff in the sector, so that we can continue to provide our award-winning services and supports. Under the study support program Afford will cover some or all of the costs for approved tertiary studies UPFRONT, rather than reimbursing fees.
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Sensational Site Makeovers Staff Profile
Team Jamo’s Imagination Runs Wild! Reminder
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Lourdes Shares Her Famous Sausage Roll Recipe Handyman Timetable Selfies of the Week Upcoming Events
Why not study now, not later! All you need to do is follow these steps to have your study approved and paid for by Afford:
Trivia Answer
1. We will pay upfront the fees associated with the tertiary study as follows:
• Cert IV – full cost upfront!
• Diploma and Advanced Diplomas - full cost upfront!
• Undergraduate and Post Graduate University studies – up to $3,500 per qualification!
2. To access tertiary support, staff need to provide a quote for the course costs to hr@afford.com.au for approval 3. Once approved, email the invoice to accountspayable@afford.com.au and CC hr@afford.com.au and payment will be arranged. It’s that easy! Your chosen course should be relevant to your role at Afford to be covered by study support. TThere are also many free online short courses being offered at the moment. • For NSW staff members, NSW TAFE is helping us through the COVID-19 pandemic by offering several fee-free short courses that can be completed in just days or weeks on their site https://www.tafensw.edu.au/fee-free- short-courses. • For Queensland staff, free micro-credential courses are available on their site https://tafeqld.edu.au/campaign-pages/Covid-19-Response.html. • For Victoria staff, VIC TAFE offers a list of full courses for free on their site https://www.vic.gov.au/free-tafe. The key to success is life-long learning Affordians!
If I choose to give up shifts to casual staff in need can I give up a day or two, or do I need to give up all my contracted hours? You can give up one shift or all your shifts, it is flexible!
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Quincy Yearney POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Noble Park, Day Program, VIC FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? Dear Mama - 2Pac FAVOURITE MOVIE? Get Rich or Die Trying FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Soccer FAVOURITE FOODS? Chicken & cheese IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A tiger WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Dubai IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Equal rights IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Soccer SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? My date of birth
May 15, 2020 Issue 257
SENSATIONAL SITE MAKEOVERS
Afford’s brand is known and recognisable due to our bright colours, logo and designs. Our sites represent our brand and reflect our philosophy of care and providing the best facilities for our clients. It’s incredible to see that many of our staff have taken the initiative to use their creativity and skills to beautify and update their space. The look of our sites is so important to showcase our amazing services. Our Mt Druitt site has relocated and been completely redesigned inside and out. The site boasts a dedicated games room with air hockey and an arcade machine featuring Pacman, and all the classics. Another exciting relocation is the Oran Park site to Gregory Hills, which has also had the Afford signature overhaul. The standout features are the branded colourful couch, the greenery wall and the sensory room with a stateof -the -art iwall. There have also been updates externally across many sites with the installation of new signage, showcasing clients happy smiles featured across our windows. It is important for our staff and clients that attend these sites, but also for new potential clients to see at a glance how vibrant and amazing we are as an organisation. It is a great way to welcome potential clients, carers and families to find out more about what Afford has to offer. Two of our DES sites Liverpool and Fairfield recently updated their signage which can’t be missed! They stand out from all directions and are easily recognisable to the local community. The main image at Fairfield DES, is the team extending a helping hand inviting customers to connect with them. Signage is important to help build our brand. People contact us for support because they like our brand and image! If you need signage at your site, please contact us at marketing@afford.com.au.
www.afford.com.au
May 15, 2020 Issue 257
Staff Matters TEAM JAMO’S IMAGINATION RUNS WILD!
Getting involved in activities we love like reading a book at the library, having lunch at the pub with friends and sailing on the water seem like fond memories during these challenging times. Thanks to some out-of-thebox thinking, the team at Jamisontown Day Program bring these much-loved experiences to life for clients to enjoy onsite. Lisa, the Senior Lifestyle Assistant at Jamisontown Day Program has introduced exciting activities to keep clients entertained and stimulated while COVID-19 safety measures are in place. With some clients missing getting out and about in the community, Lisa and the team have worked hard to replicate some of the client’s favourite outings and activities onsite. From an outdoor library through to lunch experiences, Team Jamo has shared their tips and strategies for staying energised, stimulated and happy during isolation: • Gardening engages the senses of smell, touch and even taste! Dig up the weeds and plant some of your favourite herbs and veggies to suit the season. Once grown, these delicious herbs and veggies will be picked and used during cooking programs. • Crreate an outdoor library. There are so many places to explore, people to meet and facts to learn by reading books. We may not be able to visit our local library, but Team Jamo have made their own by creating a reading space outdoors. • Get crafty! Paint, draw or create a sculptural masterpiece! Art and craft can develop fine motor skills, help with self-expression and helps us stay calm. Clients at the day program used pipe cleaners to create fish shapes. Then created fishing poles using a stick and wool. Boats were made from foam pieces along with straws and paper to make sails. With the sun shining, everyone enjoyed watching their boat creations sail on the water in the inflatable pool. It is just like being by the waterside! • Start a pen-pal club. A good old-fashioned pen and paper is the best way to stay connected. It also helps our clients work on key skills of handwriting, spelling, and letter recognition.
• Pubs and restaurants may not be open, but your imagination is never closed! Team Jamo have put their creative thinking caps on and temporarily converted their Afford van into a food truck! Complete with a food truck menu and tickets for customer orders, everyone enjoyed an ‘eating out’ experience in the backyard of the day program. WOW!! There are so many fun activities that can be done on site, it just takes a bit of imagination!
Reminder! Staff are not to give character or work references for anyone, under no circumstances. If they do disciplinary action will be taken and could even result in dismissal! All reference requests should be referred to hr@afford.com.au.
www.afford.com.au
May 15, 2020 Issue 257
Staff Matters LOURDES SHARES HER FAMOUS SAUSAGE ROLL RECIPE Our talented budding Chef Lourdes, Team Leader at Minchinbury ADE, has generously shared her famous sausage roll recipe for us to cook and enjoy during isolation.
Instructions:
Ingredients: • Puff Pastry • 500g Sausage Mince • 3 (grated) Carrots • 2 Eggs • Milk (this is to brush over the pastry) • BBQ Sauce (add to your discretion) • Mixed Herbs • Salt • Pepper
1. Preheat the oven at 180 degrees 2. Mix all of the above together 3. Cut the pastry in half in the length 4. Put the mixed ingredients on the puff pastry 5. Fold the pastry 6. Brush the top of the pastry with egg and milk 7. Sprinkle Sesame Seeds over the pastry
Famous Sausage Rolls
Handyman Timetable Meet Our Handyman Tahier
Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 18th May:
Green Valley, Oran Park & Eaglevale
- Tuesday 19th May:
Woodbine and Ingleburn
- Wednesday 20th May: Jamisontown & Butterflies - Thursday 21st May:
Windsor & True Blue
- Friday 22nd May:
Weekly catch up & urgent requests
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
am
ford’s HR Te Selfie Above: Af K! pretty in PIN
Pawsome Se lfie Above: Campbellt ow with Jessie n LSA, Samantha Rae the horse!
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
15th May
International Day of Families
19th - 25th May
Spinal Health Week
25th May
National Sorry Day
1-31st May
Mindful May
A: Playing chess with her sister Kate
www.afford.com.au
