Staff Matters 19

Staff Matters

August 28, 2015 - Issue 19 Week 8

Dennis Nominated for Volunteer of the Year

In this Issue Page 1 • Congratulations Dennis

Page 2 • Staff Profile • Cupcakes For Ashfield

Page 3 • Green Thumbs Grant • John Meets Local Firies Pictured above: Dennis in the garden

Dennis Ryan has worked as a supported employee in the AFFORD Marrickville factory for ten years. He joined Canterbury City Community Centre – Garden Care Program in September 2013, as part of his Transition to Retirement Plan at AFFORD. Canterbury City Community Centre’s Garden Care program (Easy Care Gardening & Lawn Mowing) offers a gardening and lawn mowing service which assists frail aged people and younger people with disabilities and their carers to remain in their own homes.

We are proud to announce Dennis has been nominated in the NSW Volunteer Awards – Sydney Inner West 2015. The whole Garden Care Team from Canterbury City Community Centre has been nominated and Dennis is the individual volunteer nominated from the Garden Care Team. The announcement of the winner for Volunteer of the Year will be at the award ceremony Dennis will attend with members of the Garden Care Team on Wednesday 23 September. Congratulations on the nomination Dennis!

T 02 8805 3700 E info@afford.com.au 12 Marieanne Place, Minchinbury 2770 afford.com.au

Page 4 • Grab a Mug at Huggamugg • AFFORD Selfies • Have A Laugh

AFFORD Fact On the 2nd January 1990, AFFORD acquired Mitchell Manufacturing from The Royal Blind Society, increasing the number of Foundation factories to five. A new dimension was added to the range of disabilities catered for with the transfer to AFFORD of Visually Impaired Employees.

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August 28, 2015 - Issue 19

Staff Profile

Cupcakes and Furry Friends for Ashfield

Narelle O’Kell Lifestyle Assistant Jamisontown

Favourite Song: Chasing Cars Snow Patrol Favourite Movie: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the original version Favourite Hobbies: Horse riding Favourite Foods: Garlic prawns If you could be an animal what would you be: An eagle so I could fly high in the sky and not be scared of heights What is your dream holiday destination: Scotland If you won Lotto what would you spend the money on: Paying off debts and donating to riding for the disabled Nepean If you had the power what would you change about the world: People’s greed What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: Given me support at my weakest moment and without judgement If you had to teach something what would you teach: The art of giving Something no one knows about me: I’m shy in crowds

Above: Garry Adams with the cupcakes

Above: Sue (parent) and Jack (customer) with their goodies

Monday 17th August was the annual Cupcake Day which is organised to raise much needed funds for the RSPCA. Spearheaded by Garry Adams, AFFORD Lifestyle Assistant, Ashfield Day Program participated in this event by baking yummy chocolate and Minion cupcakes to sell in a cupcake drive and adopting furry friends to take home.

We are proud to say Ashfield Day Program raised $320 in cupcake and furry friend sales for the RSPCA. Customers, staff and families all enjoyed the delicious cupcakes and snuggling with their newfound furry friends which were purchased for a really worthy cause. Thanks to Garry and the team at Ashfield for all their hard work in preparing for the day. Garry really embodies the AFFORD Mission and Values.

We have now reached 500 likes on the AFFORD Facebook page! Don’t forget to like our page

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August 28, 2015 - Issue 19

Green Thumbs Grant Recently Rhiannon O’Brien had the opportunity of applying for a grant for Neighbourhood Trust Application Grant from Australia Post.

The grant is for a Garden Maintenance Project for those with a disability and the money would be used to provide training for 5 of our Minchinbury supported employees to learn about garden maintenance. It would also be used to purchase equipment, garden sheds and lawnmowers for the program. This would provide the supported employees with the opportunity of community engagement and also valuable training which will increase their skill set.

Pictured above: the members of the Garden maintenance program

John Meets Some Local Firies Staff and customers at Penrith Day Program were recently busy cooking up a storm in their cooking program when the fire alarm in the building started to ring. They had accidentally set off the fire alarm!

Luckily some lovely local firemen came to the rescue to make sure everything was OK. AFFORD customer John was very excited to meet the men in uniform and was very happy to have his photo taken with the 3 heroes of the day.

Although this wasn’t part of the program it was certainly an exciting end to the cooking session.

Pictured right: John (second from right) with the members of the fire brigade

Australia Post sent two staff to interview both AFFORD staff and the supported employees who were very excited to have their photo taken by a professional photographer and take part in some official inteviews. Thanks go to Rhiannon for organising this opportunity.

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August 28, 2015 - Issue 19

Grab a Mug at Huggamugg Cafe For all staff and families, don’t forget the fantastic new Huggamugg Cafe at Canley Vale are serving coffees, hot chocolates and many yummy treats.

Come along and show your support for our trainees and this great venture, grab a coffee and have a chat. Thursday is Coffee Club from 11am - 1pm and you can get discounted coffees.

The Huggamugg Cafe is situated at 239 Sackville St, Canley Vale and no bookings are required so if you are in the area make sure you come down and check it out.

Above: Some customers enjoying the atmosphere and food at Huggamugg Cafe

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In this Selfie Above L-R: Jamisontown staff at AFFORDs Got Talent Leonie, Bruce, Julie, Laura, Ash and Christina

Please send in your selfies to Deb Fucci

Have a laugh