Staff Matters August 20, 2020 Issue 271 Week 8
THANKS TO OUR HEARTS AND HEROES, OUR FRONTLINE STAFF
HEARTS AND HEROES - OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS
In This Issue
Thanks to the continued dedication and hard work from our frontline staff members, Afford has been able run business as usual, providing supports and services to those who need it during COVID-19. We cannot thank our frontline staff enough for what you do each and every day, so here’s to you, our hearts and heroes of Afford; our frontline staff!
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Hearts and Heroes - Our Frontline Workers Trivia Swag Selfie
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Hearts and Heroes - Our Frontline Workers Continued Staff Profile
You are our unsung heroes. You are providing individuals, their families and carers continuation of supports, which is an invaluable service. You have adapted to a new ‘normal’ and stepped up to the challenge, introducing new and creative routines. We want to show our appreciation and applaud our Afford staff for continuing to deliver our award-winning services and supports through this challenging period.
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COVID Isn’t Stopping Us!
A Special Gift for Our Clients Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events Afford Trivia Answer
For our Victorian staff, the challenges from the Pandemic were recently taken to a new level. Last week two of our Group Home residents in VIC tested positive to COVID-19 and as a result, were immediately relocated to another property that we had not used yet to avoid spreading the illness to the other residents and staff in the home. For our two clients, Jesse and Michael, who have tested positive, they are experiencing the isolation being confined to their bedrooms, which have their own bathroom and entertainment area. Lifestyle Assistant Fraol Woldemikael decided to move into the home temporarily to provide support and care around the clock for Jesse and Michael until they recover. Fraol tested negative to COVID-19 and has had to be diligent and stick to strict guidelines to keep himself safe while providing support. A typical day in the locked down home is staff to wake up at approximately 7:30am with Jesse and Michael waking up around 8:00am. Fraol chats with them in the morning about what they’d like for breakfast and what activities they’d like to do for the day. Continued on page 2...
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Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Clara Wang POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Chipping Norton NSW FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG You Raise Me Up FAVOURITE MOVIE? Titanic FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Dancing FAVOURITE FOODS? Barbeque duck IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Panda WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Tokyo Japan IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Global warming IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Chinese language SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I'm a karaoke master
August 20, 2020 Issue 271
HEARTS AND HEROES - OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS CONTINUED... Jesse and Michael cannot leave their rooms, so it’s up to our frontline selfless hero, Fraol to provide them with everything they need. Residents Jesse and Michael love activities on the iPad, which thankfully offers a wide range of different apps and games they can explore. They have also been Zoom calling other Afford Group Homes to keep in contact with their peers. Fraol also takes each resident individually outside for fresh air and a walk around the garden. Fraol has his own bedroom and bathroom at the home. He shared his experience with us and has some tips for our staff to stay safe. “For me, I don’t know how to explain it, I’m used to going home after work and right now I’m just in the one spot. It’s a new environment that I’m trying to adapt with and distancing myself from them is hard,” said Fraol, he also added “Wear your PPE at all times and follow the protocols that are in place and sanitise every hour, not every two!” Now more than ever, we need to stay positive and continue to provide our exceptional services and supports, while prioritising the health and mental wellbeing of staff and clients, which remains the top priority at Afford. You are never alone and any Affordian who needs assistance is reminded to reach out to those around them. We encourage you all to contact your Team Leader, District Manager or our CEO, Steven Herald, with any queries or concerns that you have if you are struggling or need support. If you would like confidential support we encourage you to contact AccessEAP on 1800 818 728 or info@ accesseap.com.au We are so proud of all of our selfless Afford Super Heroes! If you would like to give shine the spotlight on someone who has stepped up during this time nominate them for this month’s, Customer Service Award by emailing Taryn.Upton@afford.com.au In the face of unprecedented events such as the COVID-19 global Pandemic, we say thanks to our frontline workers for continuing to provide our award-winning disability supports and adaptation to new operating environments. You are our hearts and heroes.
www.afford.com.au
August 20, 2020 Issue 271
Staff Matters COVID ISN’T STOPPING US! For Jayden, the chatter of people at the shops or a flurry of lights and unexpected activity nearby can be all it takes to trigger an uncontrollable sensory response. Jayden joined Afford’s Noble Park Day Program two years ago for support to help him develop strategies to regulate his behaviours. One-toone support from an Afford lifestyle assistant has help Jayden to get involved in new experiences and develop his skills.
During his time with Afford, he has made huge progress thanks to the support of Afford staff. Jayden’s family have noticed that he is much happier at home and at his day program. Along with his lifestyle assistant, Kobbie, Jayden often goes outdoors to the park, beach or anywhere that he can explore. Outings like these are now temporarily on hold for Jayden, due to COVID-19 related lockdown in Victoria, but that hasn’t stopped Kobbie and the team at Noble Park thinking outside-the-box to ensure Jayden remains engaged, stimulated and happy. Living with Autism and being non-verbal, Jayden finds that sound and music help him communicate and regulate his behaviour. “Jayden loves music. It calms him down and it’s his outlet to express himself. With the local restrictions, we organised a virtual music therapy session for Jayden via Zoom,” said Kobbie, Afford Lifestyle Assistant at Noble Park Day Program. On the Zoom call Jayden’s peers, Ryan and David from other Afford group homes as well as the music facilitator located at the Noble Park Day Program site. The group choose a song they all liked and the facilitator led everyone in song! “It meant a lot to Jayden to have the facilitator sing his favourite Mickey Mouse song. You could see the joy and happiness he exhibited during the music session,” said Kobbie. The Zoom experience itself was new for Jayden. He was fascinated by seeing himself and others on the computer screen. Staff supported Jayden to use a filter for his image during this music session which helped him to stay focused during the session. “Jayden absolutely loved it! The smile on his face and the energy Jayden contributed to the music program showed just how much joy he got out of the session.” added Kobbie Afford staff genuinely care about the needs and goals of every individual and we thank you for continuing to bring happiness and make a difference in our client’s lives, just like Jayden.
Reminder! Staff please be reminded about the importance of the following: • Please note that all New South Wales and Victorian staff need to wear masks while working – inside and outside. T his is in line with announcements for NSW – it nominated Western Suburbs but for certainty we request all staff in NSW to comply. Victoria has already moved to this point. I f you have any doubts or issues with stock please discuss with your Team Leader or Manager.
www.afford.com.au
August 20, 2020 Issue 271
Staff Matters A SPECIAL GIFT FOR OUR CLIENTS Our clients warm our hearts and are the reason we do what we do; without them, there would be no Afford! To say thanks to our clients for continuing to choose Afford as their NDIS Provider we recently gifted over 2,000 jackets to our participants across QLD, NSW & VIC. This year saw many changes due to COVID-19 such as the cancellation of dedicated Afford events such as the Funathon, Gala Ball and Affords Got Talent, which our clients anticipate yearly. Our Events and Marketing team wanted to find a way to bring some happiness to our clients and with feedback coming in fast that the clients loved our new Afford soft shell jackets and wished they could get one, the decision to make their wish come true was an easy one. Our wonderful clients look up to us so much and love to be decked out in Afford gear just like us! They too are a part of the Afford family and in our family no one misses out! Clients were extremely excited when the jackets arrived and promptly posed for photos, it was an array of happy clients showing off their stylish new jackets with smiles that beamed ear to ear.
Handyman Timetable
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 24th August: Minto, Ingleburn & Prestons ADEs - Tuesday 25th August: B illabong, Dolphin & Empire - Wednesday 26th August: Green Valley, Oran Park & Eaglevale - Thursday 27th August:
Windsor & True Blue
- Friday 28th August:
Attend to urgent requests
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
D CCM Carolyn Selfie Above: QL ent Brisbane Pop rec r he at n Johnsto Up!
Pawsome Se lfi NSW Accom e Above: Far West modation Li Assistant K rystal Hecke festyle nberg with toy poodle her Alfie.
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
17 - 23 August
Healthy Bones Action Week
23 -29 August
Speech Pathology Week
28 August
Daffodil Day
31 August 6 September
National Stroke Week
A: Tuesday, Thursday, Today and Tomorrow
www.afford.com.au
