Staff Matters December 18, 2020 Issue 288 Week 25
AFFORDS CHRISTMAS JOY CEO CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
In This Issue
What a year! As 2020 draws to an end, I would like to pass on my heartfelt thanks to the whole Afford family for what has quite possibly been the most challenging year in the history of our organisation.
CEO Christmas Message
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Trivia Afford Reward Of The Week
I sincerely believe that our team is the best in the disability sector in Australia. We have together overcome numerous challenges as we completely changed our business to continue the transition of our services to the NDIS, expand into new territories and overcome all of the adversity that COVID-19 has sent our way. This year showed the true spirit of Afford as we still managed to provide the best quality services to clients whenever they wanted them and did so with careful adherence to ever-changing COVID-19 protocols. There are so many success stories it is not possible to list them in this short note, but I would like to mention the DES team who over the past year have been able to place even more clients than average in meaningful employment despite COVID. I would also like to mention Allied Health who not only had to turn around from enormous losses but also embraced the technology to provide Afford Telecare and established a program for graduate clinicians. Afford Learning also commenced during the year, which is one of the biggest and most overdue achievements giving managers access to the kind of training that our frontline staff have long enjoyed. The list goes on and on!
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Dougie’s Artistic Ability Winning Awards Staff Profile
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Welcoming Bedford Residents and Staff
Affordians Spread Christmas Cheer Across Australia Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events Trivia Answer
The majority of our frontline staff, who are the backbone of Afford and our whole reason for being, are employed in Day Programs, Group Homes & Respite. I particularly want to thank you for being there for our clients in times that have often been scary. In Victoria, LSAs were there, including when two clients contracted the virus. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all! Further, these businesses continue to grow at 40% p.a. which means the services we deliver are excellent quality with a smile! As we continue to grow faster organically than any other disability company in Australia, I am pleased to say we go from strength to strength. This is because of the incredible family that we have and the positive attitude & authenticity we show every day as we support our clients on their journeys. I will continue to make sure that you all enjoy the best rewards and pay available in this sector. I hope that you love your job and that you look forward to coming to work every day and doing the fantastic job that you do. Thank you again for your incredible efforts over the past year and let’s make 2021 even better.
PLUS ENJOY EVERY DAY SAVINGS ON THESE BRANDS!
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Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Cristina Alvarez POSITION: National Marketing, Events, Grants & Fundraising Manager LOCATION: Penrith NSW FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG KoKomo & Iris FAVOURITE MOVIE? Any psychological thriller – movies that get you thinking FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Trying new things, reading, painting, singing (even though I’m the worst singer I know! Lol) FAVOURITE FOODS? Seafood and Italian IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? I wouldn’t want to be an animal WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? After COVID I’m happy with any destination IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? I'd make people appreciate the little things in life IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? I'd teach people to enjoy their own company SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I have no family in Australia besides my daughter but I’m lucky enough that my friends are like family
December 18, 2020 Issue 288
DOUGIE’S ARTISTIC ABILITY WINNING AWARDS Dougie is an amazing artist who lives in our Penrith Supported Accommodation. Each of his artworks reveals depth, personality and a keen eye for colour and composition. Dougie’s artistic ability was recently recognised in the 2020 Challenge Community Services Art Competition! With ‘Out of this World’ as his inspiration, Dougie created a sensational galactical art piece that was mesmerising and beautiful. His artwork titled Enter the Galaxy, won the People’s Choice Award in the People with Disability ages 50+ category. Staff at his home in Penrith support Dougie to participate in activities that make him happy. Dougie is known for spending hours on end perfecting his artworks. A desk has been purchased for Dougie’s home so that he can enjoy his art in the common areas of the home and still participate in communal gatherings while doing his art. He is supported to attend art classes every week, where he explores his creativity and learns new skills. “The win is a great achievement for Dougie. He puts his heart and soul into each of his artworks, and his love of art shines through in every piece,” said Zahra Fakhrodin, Accommodation Team Leader. “His housemates and the wider Afford community were sure to cast their vote for Dougie’s artwork. He has strong support from all his friends and staff who love seeing his creations develop.” For his win, Dougie received a certificate and a gift voucher to spend how he pleases – maybe on more art supplies! Dougie’s artwork will be showcased in an exhibition at Ray Walsh House (437 Peel Street, Tamworth NSW) until Monday, 4th January 2021 between 8.30am and 4.00pm (please note Ray Walsh House is closed for Christmas from 24th December at 1pm and will reopen on Monday 4th January).
www.afford.com.au
December 18, 2020 Issue 288
Staff Matters WELCOMING BEDFORD RESIDENTS AND STAFF We are so excited to announce Afford has taken over four supported accommodation sites from Bedford in Victoria. The takeover has been a welcome relief to families and residents, who were devasted at the prospect of having to leave the homes they had been living in for years and having the residents in these homes relocated to other properties. We are incredibly proud to say those residents are now able to stay in their homes and experience the fabulous Afford Lifestyle. Family and residents were devastated at the thought of losing their homes and are so grateful for Afford to be able to assist. As with all of our supported accommodation homes, residents will experience independence and the freedom to live life on their terms. Each of the four homes will have a new Afford van which means residents will no longer be paying out of their own pocket for transport, which was previously the case. Housemates will now have access to the community and social networks whenever they please and grocery shopping will now be a reality for them. Previously staff had to order their shopping online, with limited travel, it was their only option. Now with their new Afford van, they will be able to experience shopping, smell the fresh fruit and vegetables, browse the shelves and shop independently. The Afford Lifestyle is not just about shopping, it is a philosophy of independence and encouraging residents to do what they love to do, with all the support and encouragement they need! We’re also excited to welcome the Bedford staff, including the two previous Team Leaders, one of whom has taken an opportunity with Afford to step into a Senior LSA role. The takeover has been a welcomed relief to staff who now have job security and certainty under an employer of choice heading into Christmas. A big welcome to the Afford family!
www.afford.com.au
December 18, 2020 Issue 288
Staff Matters AFFORDIANS SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER ACROSS AUSTRALIA Affordians across Australia celebrated Christmas over the last week, attending multiple Christmas parties for both our clients and staff, organised by our talented National Marketing, Events, Grants & Fundraising Manager, Cristina Alvarez. Cristina has outdone herself this year, organising these events in difficult conditions, even securing an amazing ongoing partnership with the new Sydney Zoo in Bungaribee. Queensland Affordians were treated to a special day at SeaWorld. Clients were able to celebrate Christmas with playful dolphins, enjoying a fun day in the sun. Melbournians also celebrated with our pawsome friends at the Melbourne Zoo! Melbourne staff had a ball at Luna park, riding roller coasters, while large numbers were not a possibility due to venue restrictions, staff in NSW enjoyed more intimate festive gatherings together at various locations including the The Island, a floating pontoon in Sydney’s Darling Harbour. It was great to see a number of different Christmas events being held at site level across the states as well. Although we cannot all get together like usual, COVID has not put a stop to celebrating Christmas at Afford!
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
December 18, 2020 Issue 288
VIC CLIENT CHRISTMAS AT THE ZOO!
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
December 18, 2020 Issue 288
VIC STAFF CHRISTMAS ALL SMILES AT LUNA PARK!
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
December 18, 2020 Issue 288
HEAD OFFICE CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLAND!
www.afford.com.au
December 18, 2020 Issue 288
Staff Matters
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
ke rprise birthday ca Selfie Above: Su d an a len Je Leader, for Miami Team client, Carlo!
Pawsome Se lfie Above: Nitesh Shre Bexley LSA shtha with his furbaby. ,
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
1-31 December
Decembeard
25 December
Christmas Day
26 December
Boxing Day
1 January
New Years Day
A: Cent, scent, and sent
www.afford.com.au