Staff Matters December 24, 2020 Issue 289 Week 26
CARERS CHRISTMAS EDITION A CARERS CHRISTMAS
In This Issue
At Afford we recognise and celebrate the incredible role carers play in the lives of our clients and the community. It takes energy, dedication, strength and selflessness to be a primary carer. We understand that assisting individuals to achieve their goals extends beyond traditional disability supports. It also involves supporting the people around them. That’s why Afford regularly hosts carers events across Australia.
A Carers Christmas
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Trivia Afford Reward Of The Week
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A Carers Christmas Continued Staff Profile
As restrictions continue to ease, Afford has hosted several carers events, including dinners, spa days, cruises and luncheons, for our carers to reconnect after months of isolation.
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Carers events provide families, friends and carers with the chance to come together to talk with our staff about services and supports relevant to their loved ones. These events are also an opportunity to socialise with others who have shared life experiences.
Whole-of-Government Approach To COVID-19 Afford News - Wage Increase
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Our Carer Support Program offers a wide range of opportunities to meet other carers and form new friendships in a relaxed and welcoming environment. The events give carers a chance to take time out for themselves to enjoy therapeutic massages, yoga and relaxation, NDIS planning, health and wellbeing and social events.
Supported Accommodation Team Leader of The Year – Zahra Fakhrodin Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events Trivia Answer
Afford’s Carer Support Program supports over 600 carers and we go above and beyond to support our clients, taking a holistic approach to assist families and carers. Looking after the wellbeing of our carers is essential. Supporting carers means that every individual we support receives exceptional care throughout their life. When carers are well-rested, strategies and routines established by Afford can continue at home. Over the past few months, Afford has hosted 19 carer events thanks to the amazing efforts of Jessica Scicluna, Events Coordinator - Club Afford, Getaways and Carers Events. Jessica has taken our carers events to the next level this year and promises more amazing things to come in 2021! As a welcome to new carers in and around the South Coast of NSW, a carer event was organised for Albion Park and Wollongong carers. They enjoyed a fine dining experience with the ‘best seats in the house’ at the Lagoon Restaurant.
PLUS ENJOY EVERY DAY SAVINGS ON THESE BRANDS!
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Jessica Scicluna POSITION: Events Coordinator - Club Afford, Getaways and Carers Events LOCATION: Penrith, NSW FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG Show Me Love – Steve Angello FAVOURITE MOVIE? Anything with Mark Wahlberg in it FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Cooking and baking – obsessed with cooking shows on the food channel FAVOURITE FOODS? I love Italian or Greek food and my favorite snack would be BBQ shapes IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? An elephant - they are focused, familyoriented, and loyal WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Bora Bora or The Maldives IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? For everyone to show kindness IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? One of my favourite recipes SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? Michelle is my BFF - Sorry Emma
December 24, 2020 Issue 289
A CARERS CHRISTMAS CONTINUED Goulburn based who are new to the Afford family enjoyed wine tasting and dinner at Lerida Estate Winery. Camperdown staff and carers headed out to celebrate with a quintessential Australian dining experience, set amongst an unmistakably stylish setting with incredible revolving views of the city skyline and harbour at Infinity Restaurant. Ashfield, Belmore, Bexley, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Chipping Norton, Green Valley, Guildford and Kings Park Day Program carers have enjoyed lunch and dinner feasts in and around Sydney. Carers of Afford home residents in Queensland were treated to a gourmet BBQ lunch at one of the comfortable Supported Accommodation homes. In Ipswich in Queensland, carers took to the water for a Kookaburra River Cruise and lunch, while in NSW carers of at our Supported Accommodation homes participated in a paint and sip class with a gourmet Greek lunch, while others took time out for a spa day. After the events of 2020, Afford’s wholeof-life approach to disability supports has never been more critical. Caring for the physical and mental wellbeing of our clients and carers is paramount to ensuring every person has the chance to achieve their goals for home, work and life under the NDIS. Stay connected with other carers via the Afford Carers Facebook page www.facebook.com/AffordCarers.
www.afford.com.au
December 24, 2020 Issue 289
Staff Matters WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO COVID-19 During November and December 2020, State Health Emergency Operation Centre (SHEOC) Aged Care, undertook a joint planning exercise with the Commonwealth Department of Health and Home Affairs, facilitated by the ADF. This type of health planning was the very first in Australian history that jointly involved both the State and the Commonwealth and was initiated by the National Cabinet. Afford board member, Eva Ballai, had the honour to be handpicked by the ADF as an SME due to her civilian role as a Director of Nursing in the Aged Care sector. “Not in my wildest dream would I have imagined that the paths of the aged care sector and the ADF would ever meet in the future. And that future was now – probably one of the many silver linings of OP COVID-19 Assist this year. I have learned a lot about Strategic Health Care Planning on Commonwealth and State Health levels and also about army protocol and diplomacy,” said Eva. Eva was a part of an amazing team and enjoyed working with higher-ranking army officers from a non-clinical background who had an abundance of ADF knowledge and experience. “This teamwork consolidated the fact in me that ADF members, from different corps/backgrounds, are able to work very productively, symbiotically, and harmoniously together,” she said. JMAP (Joint Military Appreciation Process) was also introduced, which is a military planning tool, for the joint strategic health planning. “This was particularly enjoyable for me as a Nursing Officer/Clinician and made me so very proud to wear my greens in the NSW Ministry of Health building,” said Eva. For more info and the entire article from NSW Ministry of Health SHEOC Aged Care, please visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/update/Pages/ coordinated-whole-of-government-approach.aspx .
AFFORD NEWS! WAGE INCREASE! Permanent Lifestyle Assistants that are currently a Level 2P3 or 2P4, effective from the 07/12/2020 have been given an increase on their hourly rate. This it to keep in line with Afford paying above award for our staff. Congratulations Affordians!
www.afford.com.au
December 24, 2020 Issue 289
Staff Matters
SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION TEAM LEADER OF THE YEAR – ZAHRA FAKHRODIN We are so proud of the Affordians that received awards at the recent Staff Awards night. Please join us in congratulating our Supported Accommodation Team Leader of The Year, Zahra Fakhrodin! Zahra’s hard work and passion for her job shines through in everything she does. When Zahra’s name was announced she was over the moon, with a smile beaming from ear to ear, she hugged CEO, Steven Herald and stepped up to the microphone. “I love what I do and that’s what makes a difference. I care about our residents. They are also my family, my sisters and my brothers. Nothing is going to stop us giving the best services. I love my job. Thank you so much!” said Zahra. “Zahra feels that Afford is her family. Zahra lives it and breaths Afford, she deserves this award and I am extremely proud to have mentored her for all of these years. She really embodies the Afford Lifestyle and I personally am truly proud of Zahra,” said Kym Mafi, National Executive Manager for Accommodation & Respite. Congratulations Zahra!
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
fordians getting Selfie Above: Af urne! lbo Me in r togethe
Pawsome Se lfie Above: LSA, Imran Keshwani w Melbourne ith his fur baby Ginny .
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
1-31 December
Decembeard
25 December
Christmas Day
26 December
Boxing Day
1 January
New Years Day
A: Wholesome
www.afford.com.au