Staff Matters APRIL 16, ISSUE 305 | WEEK 42
MELBOURNE’S NEW SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATION We are excited to announce Melbourne’s first short term accommodation site is officially open! The new site has been named ‘Gaia’, which means life and will provide respite opportunities for our clients in Victoria or around Australia who would like to enjoy a weekend’s respite in Melbourne. Afford’s short term accommodation is a great option for Afford clients and families to take advantage of interstate respite when travelling. Short term accommodation services can strengthen a family’s ability to care for a loved one with disability and stay together as a family. We offer a respite program that provides quality, short term accommodation in a comfortable and relaxed environment where your loved one will be well looked after. Since opening, we have had several clients access the new respite.“It was our first short term accommodation in VIC, but Livorno short term accommodation will be open in the next few weeks,” said District Manager Victoria, Edward Boghikian. Gaia respite has also been instrumental in providing a safe and comfortable environment for residents transitioning to Afford’s Supported Accommodation. One of our residents, Ian Pearson, shared his recent experience regarding his short stopover at the new respite while he waited for his new Afford home at La Caruna, Point Cook. “In the very beginning, when I rang and saw the Point Cook home on the Housing Hub website, Kirstin answered the phone. Kirstin told me about the other residents she felt I’d be a good fit for at La Coruna. Chatting away, I let slip that I was looking for a new Support Coordinator too. Kirsten set up an appointment to see the house with Josh, the Team Leader. I met Josh and Ellen at the home in Point Cook and then everything rolled into action. It was like a breath of fresh air. I had caught the wave that brought me back into shore.” said Ian Pearson, Afford resident. “Ellen, my new Support Coordinator, helped me get my new (NDIS) plan happening to move into the Point Cook home. Everything then unfolded and Afford took over, arranged everything for me, and made sure everything went into my new (NDIS) plan. I had to move out from my current accommodation provider in mid-January and Afford organised for me to move into their respite home in Cranbourne West (Gaia) until my new home was ready. I’m looking forward to the next phase of my life once I settle into my new home. Thank you, Afford,” added Ian Pearson. We currently have three other transition clients living at Gaia waiting to move into their forever home and enjoy the Afford Lifestyle. We are excited to see our accommodation and respite services grow in Melbourne.
Afford Teams and Tribes
Matters Staff Matters Staff Staff Matters ISSUE 08 | WEEK 10
ISSUE 305 | WEEK 42
In This Issue Melbourne’s New Short-Term Accommodation
ADEs New Training and Funding
Can-do Culture The Afford Way
Puzzle Of The Week Get to Know
Wots On! Occupational Therapist of The Year - Daniel Massa
Reminder Handyman Schedule
Selfies of the Week
August 7, 2020 Issue 269
ADES NEW TRAINING AND FUNDING Afford Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) will soon experience changes that will change the funding structure for factories. It is essential to understand these, so our ADE business can continue to operate smoothly. By January 1st 2022, all our supported employees’ new plans will be funded based on hourly support ratios and funding will come from Core Supports, no longer Finding and Keeping a Job (FAKAJ). Since this support will be funded from Core Supports, ADEs can provide additional supports, not just employment in the work environment. The funding change means that if supported employees do not attend, Afford will not be able to invoice, provided more than 24 hours’ notice has been given. Our factories will have the opportunity to increase the variety of tasks, expanding from our current model which provides on job training across a wide variety of tasks – ensuring our factories are always a fun place to be. Supported employees will be sent home a questionnaire seeking guidance on what additional activities they are interested in, thus creating new training initiatives which they can take part in on low attendance days. These new training programs will include and are not limited to cooking, group activities, numeracy and literacy, one-to-one training for forklifts, drivers training and more. We are looking forward to offering new training opportunities for our supported employees under the new funding. “They will get to learn new things in an environment with their friends. Previously this training was provided off-site, with a group of people that the supported employee may not know, now they are being trained in a comfortable environment,” said National Executive Manager - Commercial Services, Gordon Griff. The new training opportunities are expected to increase attendance and create opportunities for new supported employees to join our business. Our COVID-19 protocols, well maintained factories, can-do attitude and a passion for having fun makes Afford an ideal choice.
Words of Wisdom Puzzle Answer
For any questions, please contact National Executive Manager Commercial Services, Gordon Griff: gordon.griff@afford.com.au.
Afford Teams and Tribes
Staff Matters Staff ISSUE 08 | WEEK 10
Matters
ISSUE 305 | WEEK 42
CAN-DO CULTURE THE AFFORD WAY
Over the past 12 months, Afford has continued to grow and expand as Australia’s leading disability service provider, known for our exceptional quality supports and adopting a whole of life approach. We value the efforts of every employee because we know that Afford staff are the best in the sector. Our robust and supportive culture under the Afford Way is what drives our success. We have great camaraderie and a supportive work environment that encourages personal and professional development to make sure that we are up-to-date with the latest industry information, standards and procedures while retaining common sense to problem-solving. We pride ourselves on having a ‘can-do’ mentality and we reward our staff with the best Employer of Choice initiatives in the industry. Afford’s Employer of Choice initiatives include: • Highest wages in the sector • Paid training and wages while attending training • Step Up – Career Progression Program • Buzz Nights • Flexible Working Arrangements
• Afford Rewards • E-Learning • Customer Service Awards • Salary Packaging • PACES Incentives • Study Leave and Support • EAP Counselling • Staff Conferences • Subsidised Uniforms • Massages • Nicotine Replacement Therapy To find out more about how to access any of Afford’s Employer of Choice initiatives, please contact National Executive Manager - Human Resources, Melanie Lugg: melanie.lugg@afford.com.au.
P EM
OF
LOYER
CHOICE
Afford Teams and Tribes
Staff Matters Staff ISSUE 08 | WEEK 10
Matters
ISSUE 305 | WEEK 42
PUZZLE OF THE WEEK
get to know MIKE ALLEN POSITION: DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AFFORD BOARD FAVOURITE SONG? Anything by Van Morrison FAVOURITE MOVIE? The Intouchables - French subtitled but absolutely fabulous movie FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Furniture repair and restoration and watching football (soccer) FAVOURITE FOODS? Thai or Japanese, they’re so fresh and healthy WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Anywhere in Sth. America
WHO IS YOUR INSPIRATION? All those people whose efforts make a difference, no matter how big or small WHAT IS THE NICEST THING SOMEONE HAS EVER DONE FOR YOU? Believed in me and gave me a chance to show my ability IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? True equal rights for women, it would make the world a better place IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Woodwork
Afford Teams and Tribes
Matters Staff Matters Staff Staff Matters ISSUE 08 | WEEK 10
ISSUE 305 | WEEK 42
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST OF THE YEAR-DANIEL MASSA
WOTS ON!
We are so proud of the Affordians that received awards at the recent Staff Awards night. Please join us in congratulating our Occupational Therapist of the year, Daniel Massa!
Daniel started with Afford in January 2019 and absolutely loves his job. “The best thing about my job is the opportunity to be able to help out people in the community, to be able to see and visit them in their homes and help them achieve their goals,” said Daniel.
APRIL/MAY 2021
Winning the occupational therapist of the year award last October was a highlight for Daniel and he was so happy to win. When asked what he thought when he won, Daniel said, “Initially, that it was underserved when considering the skill level of the other OTs in the company. Then proud to be recognised for the work I do each week.” Daniel was nominated for this award because he is a fantastic team player, Anzac Day is the solemn day of is always ready to help remembrance of those Australian and others and has a can-do New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who attitude. Over the year, have fought and died for their country. Daniel exceeded his KPI’s in double digits, was a APRIL 26: ANZAC DAY PH mentor to other clinicians The Anzac Day public holiday is for QLD, and displayed exceptional ACT, SA, WA & NT. leadership skills. All of these efforts combined NSW, VIC & TAS do not receive a public saw Daniel take home the holiday this year. annual award.
APRIL 25: ANZAC DAY
DISABILITY SERVICE PROVIDER AND
“Afford has empowered me to have the autonomy to think outside the box with my clients and achieve some amazing goals with them,” Said Daniel.
PARTICIPANT CONNECTION EXPO
Congratulations Dan!
APRIL 30 - MAY 1: BRISBANE
PRESENTED BY AFFORD Visit Afford at the Brisbane Disability Service Provider and Participant Connection Expo! MAY 1 - 7: NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK National Youth Week is an annual, weeklong celebration of young people (12 to 25).
Afford Teams and Tribes
Staff Matters Staff ISSUE 08 | WEEK 10
Matters
ISSUE 305 | WEEK 42
REMINDER Afford’s Employer of Choice Initiative, Fitness Passport, is officially available in ALL states! Please note, there is a different link for each state. Please ensure you are clicking on the correct link when you are looking up any information or wishing to sign up. New South Wales – www.fitnesspassport.com.au/AFS Queensland – www.fitnesspassport.com.au/AFQ Victoria – www.fitnesspasport.com.au/AFV
South Australia – www.fitnesspassport.com.au/AFA
Western Australia – www.fitnesspassport.com.au/AFW Affordians are reminded if you are moving states; this means you can continue to use the Fitness Passport and access hundreds of gyms across Australia. Not only you as an employee can benefit from Fitness Passport, so can your family. Create healthy habits for your family and sweat and splash your way to fitness together! Family memberships cover you, your partner and dependent children under 18, meaning excellent value, more fun, better motivation! Please contact Rawvell Miraflor if you have any questions: Rawvell.miraflor@afford.com.au
HANDYMAN SCHEDULE MEET OUR HANDYMAN TAHIER Site Visits: - Monday 19th April:
Jamisontown, Butterflies & Cherrywood
- Tuesday 20th April:
Sunshine, Panthers & Blue Bird
- Wednesday 21st April: Mount Annan & St Andrews - Thursday 22nd April: - Friday 23rd April:
Billabong, Dolphin & Empire Minto ADE & Ingleburn ADE
Afford Teams and Tribes
Matters Staff Matters Staff Staff Matters ISSUE 08 | WEEK 10
August 7, 2020 Issue 269
ISSUE 305 | WEEK 42
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
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Fun Se
Pawsome Selfie:
with rlie Seu er, Cha airman, g a n a M h District hie Former C itc Peter R ’s Australia. ald McDon
Group S
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Marketing Coordinator, Kiesha Spies and her furbaby Lily adm iring the view at Bronte Beach!
Cowboy up Afford ians - Sa recent M mmy’s o anagers n the Ma Conferen rina at th ce in Ad e elaide.
aura ne e: ymo vi and L fi S l ! e o S Exp , Lily De Kids Staff jar e ourc ncy Elna ey S a Sydn novic, N a j r a M . rson Pete
r, istrato lfie: e Admin klift! S g in d t r e r Mark ew fo Affo nts and ADEs n ve ry chinbu ising, E Fundra ache on Min o R Emma
Send us your selfie to be featured in upcoming Staff Matters Afford Teams and Tribes
Matters Staff Matters Staff Staff Matters ISSUE 08 | WEEK 10
Words
ISSUE 305 | WEEK 42
Words of wisDom of wisDom
PUZZLE ANSWER A map
Afford Teams and Tribes
August 7, 2020 Issue 269