Staff Matters 32

Staff Matters

November 27, 2015 - Issue 32 Week 22

Afford At The Frontline For NDIS

In this Issue Page 1 •Afford At The Frontline For NDIS

Page 2 On October 14 and 15 2015, three Lifestyle Assistants had the opportunity to represent Afford at the NDIS conference, aimed at equipping frontline staff with a lot of information regarding the NDIS There were panel discussions, question and answer sessions where frontline staff had the opportunity to discuss issues most important to them as well as have any concerns addressed. The various panelist included representatives from National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), National Disability Services (NDS), trial sites organisations, just to mention a few.

At the end of the two days, Afford Lifestyle Assistants took away the following key information which they would like to share: Garry Adams (Lifestyle Assistant – Ashfield): If I was to pass on information to my fellow Lifestyle Assistants it would be this skills, abilities and hobbies. The more skills, hobbies and abilities you have to offer your clients, the more activities you are able to run and build a great client base.

Wendy Bricknell (Lifestyle Assistant – Cherrywood Accommodation): I was worried about how the NDIS would affect Lifestyle Assistants – especially if we would have work? After attending the NDIS conference I can assure you that there is going to be plenty of work for Lifestyle Assistants and we will have more flexible hours. There will also be plenty of opportunities to earn extra money by getting paid for our extra skills e.g. gardening, swimming and cooking.

Fred Etuk (Lifestyle Assistant – Canley Vale): Prior to attending this conference, I had a lot of information regarding the NDIS, but without a lot of clarity (hence cause for some misgivings), At the end of the two days, I came to the point of realisation there are more exciting benefits that the NDIS will bring. These benefit include but are not limited to: more work for frontline staff, provision of more flexible work hours to fit with busy lifestyles and an uncapped funding system.

• Staff Profile • Windsor Turns Wood Into A Masterpiece • Afford Staff Ready To ‘Step Up’

Page 3 • Why We Print Staff Matters •Meet Our New Staff Members

Page 4 • Kings Park And Blacktown Take Their Products To The Paceway • AFFORD Selfies • Have A Laugh

AFFORD Fact

In 2003, the completion of a new Timber Pallet manufacturing plant at Minto and the acquisition of land for a new Day It is quite heartwarming to hear how responsive the NDIA is to the feedback and how Program facility situated at Kings these issues are being addressed promptly. The future is coming and it will be here soon, embrace it and you will be amazed at just how many opportunities and benefits the NDIS Park. will provide to you and our clients we support.

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

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November 27, 2015 - Issue 32

Staff Profile

Windsor Turns Wood Into A Masterpiece

Fatima Fernandes

Windsor Day Program is always searching for projects to get our customers involved in learning new skills and showing off their talents.

Lifestyle Assistant Green Valley Day Program

Favourite Song: Take Me AwayAlex K Favourite Movie: Save the Last Dance Favourite Hobbies: Gardening, breeding birds Favourite Foods: Pizza, ice cream, Lebanese food and mums cooking If you could be an animal what would you be: An eagle flying high and free in the sky What is your dream holiday destination: Backpacking around Europe on my own.

If you had the power what would you change about the world: No homeless or hungry people in the world and no war!

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: Returned my missing bag with everything in it If you had to teach something what would you teach: Thinking positive and keep going Something no one knows about me: Hate flying longer than an hour.

This time our customers were asked to create an art piece which involved each person painting a square wooden block which was then put together to create the finished piece.

As you can see from the photo above clients with all abilities loved participating and working together in the project showing off their talents to create a masterpiece Picasso would be proud of.

This is one of many great activities the Windsor site have been able to provide their clients giving them an opportunity to express the range of skills they have, keep up the great work guys!

Afford Staff Ready To ‘Step Up’

We have completed the recruitment for the AFFORD Relief Team Leader and Coordinator Register and have renamed it the ‘AFFORD Step Up Team’.

AFFORD is recognised as the employer of choice and are committed to providing a brighter future, career progression and opportunities to ‘Step Up” for our staff.

The following staff have been successful and will soon undertake management training and be eligible for upcoming Acting Management roles: Fred Etuk,Roseanna Barletta,Kym Mafi,Shannon Renshall,Debra Paterson, Steven Pham,Kirralee Jackson,Paul Mitchell,Tanya Briggs.

Congratulations to all for your hard work and we wish you well on your management journey.

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November 27, 2015 - Issue 32

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Why We Print Staff Matters

As you all are aware, every week we send printed copies of staff matters to all sites.

We have had a lot of suggestions regarding the termination of printing a hard copy of the newsletter, as its more cost and time effective to do so. It is important we all understand why we continue to print hard copies each week.

As we are geographically spread out over the state communication is essential to make sure we all remain up to date with the on goings of all sites and matters throughout the organisation.

Studies show that 70% of people will read a printed copy, where as 30% won’t open an email attachment.

With majority of our staff members not spending much time behind a desk, access to emails can be difficult.

Afford’s goal is to deliver its employees with a great working environment and provide all staff an opportunity to share in matters of the organisation, and feel this to be an effective way to do so. If you have any questions or wish to send stories through for Staff Matters call Marketing on 8805 3726 or email luke.jenner@afford.com.au.

Meet Our New Staff Members We would like to give a warm welcome to the following new staff members joining our Afford team: Kelli Lord - Kelli will be starting at head office on 30th November 2015 as our new Business Improvement Manager. She will be responsible for policies and procedures, quality and AFFORD WHS systems.

Maria Duran Bermudez – Maria started with AFFORD on the 23rd November 2015 as a Casual Lifestyle Assistant, at Cherrywood Village, Accommodation Services.

We are very pleased to be welcoming them to Afford and look forward to working with you both!

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November 27, 2015 - Issue 32

Kings Park And Blacktown Take Their Products To The Paceway Last Wednesday, Kings Park and Blacktown Day Programs held its very first market stall at Penrith Paceway, showcasing the wide range of wonderful products our clients make while taking part in our programs.

With a display of scented candles and a range of Christmas goodie bags all going for under $5, our clients stall was a big hit, selling an astonishing $568 worth of products.

It was a good experience for our clients who were excited to engage with customers, showing off all their amazing products and being rewarded for all their hard work in the end.

Based on the success our clients have had in their first ever market stall, our Kings Park and Blacktown Day Programs will be running another in the New Year.

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Sef the o

In this Selfie Above: Windsor Team Leader Patrick Conneely and Ashfield Team Leader Coreena Fantella at The Sky’s The Limit Mini Olympics in Wollongong.

Please send in your selfies

Pictured Above: Products made by our clients (top) clients having a good time selling their products (bottom).

Have a laugh