Staff Matters 34

Staff Matters

December 11, 2015 - Issue 34 Week 24

Jolly Client Christmas Party

In this Issue Page 1 •Jolly Client Christmas Party

Page 2 • Staff Profile • Jolly Client Christmas Party Continued...

Page 3 • Keep Up To Date With New Group Homes •Meet Our New Staff Members

Page 4 • Afford Taking The Fight For ADE’s With Knockout Presentation • AFFORD Selfies • Have A Laugh On 4th December Afford staff held the Client Christmas Party, where we also celebrated International Day of People With Disability and launched the new Afford logo.

Our clients enjoyed a fun-filled day with a visit from Santa and Mrs Clause, the Penrith Panthers, Cricket NSW, Head Turners and Football NSW. The day also featured fun activities including air brush tattoos, face painting and a disco!

A big congratulations goes to all staff involved for their tireless work making it a day to remember for everyone.

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

AFFORD Fact In 2005, Transition To Work Program was adopted by Afford.

Introduction of Afford Link to provide support for school students in their transition to an adult working life.

Staff Matters

2

December 11, 2015 - Issue 34

Staff Profile

Wally Phillips

Chief Financial Officer Minchinbury Head Office

Favourite Song: Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd Favourite Movie: Forrest Gump Favourite Hobbies: Photography, athletics (not me but supporting my son) Favourite Foods: All foods especially curries If you could be an animal what would you be: Leopard What is your dream holiday destination: Travel around Europe If you had the power what would you change about the world: Stop the wars, give me peace!

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: Loved me unconditionally, even when I messed up If you had to teach something what would you teach: Athletics coach- middle distance Something no one knows about me: I was a national champion athlete at high school

Jolly Client Christmas Party Continued...

Staff Matters

3

December 11, 2015 - Issue 34

L

Keep Up To Date With The New Group Homes

The construction of new group homes for up to 40 residents on six sites in Penrith is well under way.

Five of the sites are located in the Thornton Estate in a great location just north of Penrith train station; the other site is located on Warwick Street, South Penrith. All these sites are located in the centre of the local community giving our clients a wide range of accessible transport options and a chance to live as independently as they can.

Although it is estimated that all homes will be complete by mid-2016, the group homes are developing very quickly with a few sites now having frames in place and others starting to build the walls.

Having graduated from their Active Independence training module, the clients are excited for the completion of their new homes to put their new skills to practice.

Residents and their families have had a lot of fun being heavily involved in all stages of the project so far, including interior designs and colours, ensuring the clients are satisfied and their needs are comfortably met.

The devolution of the Cherrywood Village has been planned for many years and all involved are very excited to see the homes coming along so quickly.

Meet Our New Staff Members We would like to give a warm welcome to the following new staff members joining our Afford team: Lauren Leijen Casual Lifestyle Assistant, Accommodation Services in Client Services started 7th December 2015.

Shireen Tiatia, Casual Training Coordinator. Started 9th December 2015 Fred Stokes, Temporary Part Time Woodshop Assistant, Guildford Day Program, started 8th December 2015 Cristina Alvarez Team Leader Call Centre, Penrith Raffles Centre, started 30th November 2015 We are very pleased to be welcoming them to Afford and look forward to working with you all!

Staff Matters

4

December 11, 2015 - Issue 34

Afford Taking The Fight For ADE’s With Knockout Presentation On Monday 7th December over 65 supported employees, their parents and carers attended the recent ADE and NDIS Information evening at Mounties Club.

The session received plenty of interest, addressing recent concerns regarding challenges to Wage Setting Tools used within Australian Disability Enterprises.

Information on the court challenges to ADE wage setting tools, the future of ADE’s under the National Disability Insurance Scheme and general information on the scheme were presented with “lively” question and answer opportunities followed each presentation.

There was a positive vibe throughout the evening poised by a number of challenging questions and concerns about Afford’s communication with our clients and their families as we move closer to the NDIS. One family member in attendance stated “I’ve learnt more in this presentation than I have anywhere else. I wasn’t aware of the situation to date so it was good to get a clear understanding of what’s happening and the services Afford can provide, information was good and all questions were answered in great detail’’.

A big thank you to Anjuli Rangar, Angela Wilkinson and Steve Beard who presented on the night and to all other staff that helped make the evening a success.

fl iweeek

Sef the o

Have a laugh NOT SURE IF I WANNA FREEZE IN THE MORNING

OR SWEAT IN THE AFTERNOON In this Selfie Above: Staff members Nikita Gupta with her very own Tinkerbell, Anjuli Rangar.

Please send in your selfies

The difference a few kilometres can make!

Pictured Above: On the same day, Steve’s car temperature (right) and Ex- secretary’s car temperature in London (left)