Staff Matters 238

Staff Matters January 3, 2019 Issue 238 Week 27

CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF GOOD NEWS FEELS GOOD

Sharing good news stories about how your site and staff are involved in the community and bringing joy to the lives of people with disability across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, is an important part of attracting new clients and families to our services.

We know our staff are providing amazing services each day and we want to share your stories and achievements.

As part of PACES, your site is required to submit two good news stories each month and post at least three Facebook posts per week. If you haven’t heard about PACES, here is what you need to know!

In This Issue Person-Centredness

1

Attitude

Good News Feels Good Joke Afford Trivia

Customer Service Efficiency Standards

2

Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe!

3

DES Domestic Violence Information Session

4

Quit Smoking This Year!

Handyman Timetable

Christmas Closures Selfies Of The Week

PACES is a Quality Management tool to ensure all Afford businesses are continuing to deliver exceptional service to our clients, residents and employees. What does PACES stand for you ask?

Upcoming Events Afford Trivia Answer

P: Person-Centeredness A: Attitude C: Customer Service E: Efficiency S: Standards As we start a new quarter for PACES, we encourage all of you to send through your stories on time to marketing@afford.com.au. Your stories are important, so send them through when they happen, so our stories are current and relevant.

It is also important to note that the photos sent with good news stories must have consent to use and be 1mb or larger (original quality) so they can be shared on our online blog or can be used for advertising. We have set up a common drive folder for you to save your photos:Y:\MARKETING PHOTOS. Remember, post three times a week on Facebook and send through your good news stories to marketing@afford.com.au.

Make an effort and you will see your results shine!!

AFFORD TRIVIA

We established a dedicated Carers Support Program in what year?

www.afford.com.au

Staff Matters

STAFF PROFILE NAME: Hayley Lindsay POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Southport, QLD FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? Post Malone - Sunflower FAVOURITE MOVIE? Pride & Prejudice FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Watching Netflix FAVOURITE FOODS? Everything IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? An eagle WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Bora Bora IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Change Parliament IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Art

January 3, 2019 Issue 238

YOUR VIBE ATTRACTS YOUR TRIBE!

Every staff member at Afford makes a real difference to the lives of our clients and their families. Our strong and supportive culture under the Afford Way is what drives our success.

The work that you do each and every day is a testament to what makes Afford great - it’s our people, our tribe vibe!

We have implemented annual staff awards, PACES team incentives, monthly customer service awards, monthly buzz nights and so much more.

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 a common sense to problem solving.

Over the year, our teams and tribes mentality has strengthened. We have worked together through troubles and triumphs to come out as one strong community that works hard and plays hard.

At Afford, we cultivate an environment of belonging and value. Our regular staff meetings are great opportunities to share ideas, encourage our team to push harder, do better and achieve more. We work towards the same goal, sing from the same song sheet and drive success together. Our teams are supporting each other more so that if one bird in the flock falls behind, we’re all there to help bring them back into the team.

Keep your teams and tribes energised and let’s make 2020 our year to shine!

SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I was born in Coffs Harbour

Handyman Timetable Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - 6th January: Sunshine, Panthers and Empire - 7th January: Minchinbury, Mount Druitt and St Marys - 8th January: Canley Vale and Eschol Park - 9th January: Mount Annan and St Andrews - 10th January: Attend to urgent requests

www.afford.com.au

January 3, 2019 Issue 238

Staff Matters DES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INFORMATION SESSION

Our DES sites are so passionate about helping those less fortunate in the community and recently they held a Family and Domestic Violence information session. Thanks to the work of our Grants and Fundraising Coordinator, Toni Preston, the session was funded through Fairfield City Council's Community Development Grants program and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Grants.

Held at PYT (Fairfield School of Art), it was a successful day with approximately 40 attendees from clients and the local community.

There were many presenters on the day who spoke about: • Fairfield Local Police, Domestic Violence Unit: Information on what happens if they are called and attend incidents.

• Family and Community services: Information about the supports they

have on offer, including emergency accommodation and how to access this.

• Department of Human Services: Information about payments but also

about support services, including social worker case management that can be accessed.

• Southwest Sydney Legal Services and Staying at Home Staying Safe Domestic Violence Support Services: Information about the legal support including AVOs, court appearances, rights and obligations.

Majority of attendees were from an Arabic background, so Layla Naji, Team Leader from DES Bankstown kindly agreed to be present on the day and did an amazing job of interpreting effortlessly.

As this can be an emotionally challenging and confronting issue, to lighten things up the Fairfield DES team provided morning tea/brunch that gave attendees some breakout time and the opportunity to socialise, refresh and re-energise. The day wrapped up with three lucky door prizes and entertainment from belly dance troupe Divine Dance Productions.

Feedback from attendees was very positive and rewarding, with some commenting on the importance of the information presented and the need for more conversation around it. One presenter commented on the attention to detail in the order of speakers as it would be the actual progression of services and supports in situations of Family and Domestic Violence.

“Thanks, Toni, for your great work in applying for this grant. It was a rewarding experience for my staff and I to be able to put this event together for our clients and the local community as a whole” - Joumana Talj Team Leader DES – Fairfield.

We are so proud of the work our DES sites do in their local communities, all of these events play a part of a bigger picture in spreading the word about our focus on giving back to the community.

A reminder that all Afford staff and carers are able to access free, confidential and independent counselling sessions via EAP. Contact EAP: call 1800 81 87 28 or (02) 8247 9191.

www.afford.com.au

January 3, 2019 Issue 238

Staff Matters QUIT SMOKING THIS YEAR! We’re at the start of 2020 so now is a great time to reassess your health and life goals and if giving up smoking is at the top of your New Year’s resolution list, Afford can help. We encourage you to take advantage of Afford’s Employer of Choice initiative of Nicotine Replacement Therapy!

Did you know that in Australia there are 2.5 million Australians who smoke daily, and more than 200,000 smoking irregularly? It is a scary statistic to think so many of us willingly put our health and the health of others at risk each and every time we smoke a cigarette.

While quitting can be hard, Afford are passionate about promoting healthy and balanced lifestyles and can support you on your path to better health.

To find out more about how to access any of Afford’s Employer of Choice initiatives, please contact National Training and Engagement Manager, Maureen Brown at Maureen.brown@afford.com.au.

Christmas Closures Afford Day Programs will be closed over Christmas during the following dates: - NSW Day Programs: Thursday 19th December 2019 – Monday 13th January 2020 - QLD Day Programs: Friday 20th December 2019 – Monday 6th January 2020 - VIC Day Programs: Monday 23rd December 2019 – Thursday 2nd January 2020 - Head Office: Monday 23rd December 2019 – Friday 3rd December 2020

SELFIES OF THE WEEK

, rnea LSA Chin Liu Selfie Above: Lu meron Ca d an rk Pa ke with clients Lu ing.

Dingle out bowl

Pawsome Se lfie Above: Hawkins, N SW Blackto Jessica wn LSA an her best fu d r friend.

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:

EVENT:

9 January

NSW Frontline Conference

16 January

QLD Frontline Conference

23 January

VIC Frontline Conference

26 January

Australia Day

Afford Trivia Answer: 2008

www.afford.com.au