Staff Matters 276

Staff Matters September 24, 2020 Issue 276 Week 13

CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF AFFORD’S MINCHINBURY JETS

In This Issue

Afford recently became the sponsor for the Under 16's Minchinbury Jets NRL team, who had their grand final game on the weekend. Our Marketing, Events and Fundraising Manager, Cristina Alvarez attended with some members from her team to cheer the girls on including Events Coordinator, Jessica Scicluna and Fundraising, Events and Marketing Administrator, Emma Roache.

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Afford’s Minchinbury Jets Trivia Swag Selfie

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The trio was decked out in matching Afford polos and enjoyed the game from the comfort of a huge round Afford branded towel. Our signature Afford goodie bags were also given out to the players to enjoy.

4 Weeks of Wellness – Working from Home Staff Profile Fleet Selfie

The sponsorship of the team came as an idea from Jamisontown Lifestyle Assistant, Teroro Haumono (Lolo for short), as her daughter plays on the team.

Due to COVID-10 they were unable to secure a sponsor and as a result Lolo reached out to our CEO, Steven Herald to see if Afford would be interested in sponsoring the team. "It was a short season and we didn't have a sponsor yet, late one night I just thought of messaging Steve to ask if this was a possibility. I didn't know how it would go, but he said that he would love to!" – said Lolo.

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Sulett Visits South Australia

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Property Inspections Interstate

Reminder

Handyman Timetable Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events Afford Trivia Answer

Unfortunately, the team just missed out on the winning trophy, however it’s a wonderful accomplishment to have made it all the way to the finale! "Be proud of your achievements this year girls, we're all so proud of you!

Thank you to Afford for your sponsorship of our U16 Girls this season and thank you for taking the time out to attend their Grand Final on Sunday (and jump in the photo)! Without generous sponsors like yourselves, our players wouldn't be able to play the game they love," - Minchinbury Jets JRLC posted on Facebook.

Lolo received feedback from the team that they enjoyed the Afford goodie bags, her daughter remarked, “These bags are so awesome! It's got a hat, lip-gloss and even a phone holder!"

"Thank you so much that was so humbling and we are so grateful," – said Lolo.

See you next season!

www.afford.com.au

Staff Matters

STAFF PROFILE NAME: Rakhi Kapoor POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Pakenham VIC FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion FAVOURITE MOVIE? The Sound of Music FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Arts and crafts FAVOURITE FOODS? Indian cuisine IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Dog WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Switzerland IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Stop all negativity in the world and make it a better place for everyone IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Love and peace SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I was a voice-over artist

September 24, 2020 Issue 276

4 WEEKS OF WELLNESS – WORKING FROM HOME Our feature on 4 Weeks of Wellness continues from last week’s edition, where you read about the importance of looking after your mental health and wellbeing.

This week we would like to highlight some key priorities when working from home. The Afford Way promotes positive health and wellbeing initiatives throughout our organisation and ergonomics is an essential part of this.

With many people working from home during COVID-19, it is critical to have a dedicated workspace at home and ensure it is ergonomically correct.

Here are a few quick tips and easy things you can do to help set up your space at home: Tip 1: Get a good office chair. Ideally, use a swivel chair that has 5 feet and is fitted with caster wheels.

Tip 2: Check your computer monitor, this should be roughly an arm’s length away and eye level or just below. Ensure your computer is not reflecting glare off any windows, as this may hurt your eyes.

Tip 3: Organise your desk space so that you have everything you need within reach to avoid stretching.

Tip 4: You should have your wrists straight and your forearms horizontal when using the keyboard. Your hands should not be bent up and you should have your elbows close to your body.

Tip 5: The mouse should fit in your hand so that it is comfortable to work with. The weight of your arm should be supported by your desk when you use the mouse.

By utilising these 5 tips, you will be able to have a safe and secure workspace set up at home! We also recommend frequently changing your posture to minimise fatigue and take short breaks throughout the day. Stretching is also a great way to have a quick break and re-energise yourself.

www.afford.com.au

September 24, 2020 Issue 276

Staff Matters SULETT VISITS SOUTH AUSTRALIA Recently our National Customer Care Manager, Sulett Van Wyk jumped on a plane and travelled to South Australia to meet up with our new Customer Care Manager for Adelaide, Brenton Munzer.

Afford’s expansion into Adelaide is up and away!

Our SA team is busy introducing our wide range of services to the public, speaking to coordinators and reaching out to local clubs. These link-ups with local providers and clubs are critical to finding ways that Afford can help people receive their necessary disability services.

Sulett’s visit to Adelaide was a fantastic opportunity to put a face to the name for not only our SA staff, but to also visit the suburbs we will provide services in.

During her visit Brenton drove them around Adelaide, visiting the North to the South. The duo got to see the Holden Hills site and then went down to Gawler.

“The biggest take away from this was to see the area and put a face to the name. It was great to speak to other stakeholders to get their opinion about the market and what we think challenges are going to be. It was great to discuss ways that we can work together to overcome these challenges that have been the standard in Adelaide for a long time."

“We met with DES providers, Plan Partners and even mobility aid companies, who were all very excited to collaborate with Afford and make sure people in Adelaide have their own choice and control,” said Sulett.

Afford has grown and thrived under the NDIS rollout and become widely known as one of Sydney’s leading service providers. Through the NDIS, we have been offering more quality services and supports to our clients as we expanded our services down the Eastern Seaboard in 2018. Now we look forward to seeing our services grow even more in 2020.

The future is shining bright for Afford in Adelaide and we’re excited to share our knowledge and experience with our new clients in South Australia.

Reminder!

Staff, please be reminded about the importance of wearing masks: • Please note that all New South Wales and Victorian staff need to wear masks while working – inside and outside. Afford masks are available now, if you have any doubts or issues with stock, please discuss with your Team Leader or Manager.

Staff, please be reminded about the importance of how to contact IT for support: • For IT support, please email your request to this address: helpdesk@afford.com.au

www.afford.com.au

September 24, 2020 Issue 276

Staff Matters PROPERTY INSPECTIONS INTERSTATE With the risk of COVID-19 and the travel ban imposed on state borders recently, property inspections have been a challenge for us as we expanded into our new states of SA and WA. Our property team have had to think outside of the box to inspect new properties of interest so we can continue to grow as an organisation.

Our Property Manager, Kim Nguyen and Property Officer, Emma Travers have been busy finding new homes for Supported Accommodation services and Day Programs, as well as sourcing general office spaces for Allied Health clinicians and admin staff.

We were lucky to have our Executive Manager Commercial Services, Gordon Griff on the ground in SA along with our Customer Care Manager, Brenton Munzer.

They have both been busy inspecting properties for the team.

In Western Australia Kim and Allan Sio, Executive Manager Client Services Queensland, have taken a new age approach to property inspections and have been utilising Facetime and Zoom to inspect the properties.

“Inspecting properties has been difficult without being able to physically attend, however with the assistance of technology, mostly facetime inspections it has been great to be able to view all the properties with the team on the ground. It has also been beneficial in allowing us to able to see agents and interstate staff feel connected as a team; we have also been able to meet new interstate staff members using technology which has been great!” – said Kim Keep up the great work property team!

Handyman Timetable

Meet Our Handyman Tahier

Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 28th September: Billabong, Empire & Dolphin - Tuesday 29th September: Minto, Ingleburn, & Prestons ADE - Wednesday 30th September: Windsor & True Blue - Thursday 1st October:

Green Valley, Oran Park & Eaglevale

- Friday 2nd October:

Away

SELFIES OF THE WEEK

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:

EVENT:

21 - 25 September

International Week of the Deaf

29 September

World Heart Day

5 October our ecial delivery for Selfie Above: Sp at. sc Mu la ka Mi rstar Head Office supe th our wi lp he ur yo of Thanks for all Afford swag!

5 October Pawsome Se lfie Above: Manager C Executive ommercial Serv Gordon Grif f's dog Geo ices, rg very handso me in his A e, looking fford hat.

Queen's Birthday Public Holiday QLD & WA Labour Day Public Holiday NSW & SA

A: The letter R

www.afford.com.au