Staff Matters
August 12, 2016- Issue 67 Week 59
Moving Day For Cherrywood Residents
In this Issue Page 1 • Moving Day For Cherrywood Residents
Page 2 • Staff Profile • Afford In The Race For Employer Of Choice • Gearing Up For Safety
Page 3 • Meet Marie, Fairfield DES Superstar
Page 4 Recently 1 of our new 6 group homes were built, and on 4th August, 3 clients from Cherrywood Village couldn’t contain their excitement as they moved in. Toby, Andrew and Darryl spent the day unloading furniture and setting up their bedroom as well as offering everyone who visited including CEO, Steve Herald, and Executive Manager Client Services, Casey Hailes, a grand tour around their new home. When asked how they felt about their new home one client said, “I feel really happy and excited to spend my first night here, it’s the best”. The new group homes give our clients a great opportunity to further build on their independent living skills with great locations close by to shops and community events to also further their social skills within the local community. The excitement continues to build for other residents at our Cherrywood Village as they look forward to the completion of their group homes!
T 02 8805 3700 E info@afford.com.au 12 Marieanne Place, Minchinbury 2770 afford.com.au
• Investing In Our Future • Afford Selfies • Hello From Disneyland
Fun Fact To produce a single pound of honey, a single bee would have to visit 2 million flowers.
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August 12, 2016 - Issue 67
Staff Profile
Afford In The Race For Employer Of Choice
Leonie Pearson
Recently Afford became Finalists in the Employer of Choice Category at the 2016 Macarthur Regional Business Awards.
Lifestyle Assistant Jamisontown Lifestyle Centre Favourite Song: At the moment it is The Fighter by Keith Urban Favourite Movie: Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely love, The Breakfast Club . Favourite Hobbies: I like do craft projects, listening to music and watching good movies. Favourite Foods: Beef stroganoff , Lasagna , and Tiramisu to name a few. If you could be an animal what would you be: A cat. I could sleep , eat and play and be waited on all day. Meow.
The category highlighted all the wonderful services we provide our clients in the Macarthur area through our lifestyle centres, TTW programs and ADEs. The Business awards committee were blown away reading a large number of wonderful examples expressing why Afford are the employer of choice. The winner of the award will be announced on Friday 2nd September at the gala dinner held in Campbelltown at The Cube. We would like to give all our services in the Macarthur region and big well done for all the hard work they put in everyday to provide the best service for our clients and supported employees.
Gearing Up For Safety
What is your dream holiday destination: Anywhere near a beach. I love to listen to the ocean hit the rocks and sand. Not so much to swim. If you had the power what would you change about the world: Hate and disrespect. They are to things I really think people need to not have in their lives. Not saying everyone needs to love everyone but respect and just be nicer to people can go along way. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: Being asked to marry my now husband and being a mum to my 3 beautiful children. If you had to teach something what would you teach:Teach people to take others as they are. Everyone is different but we all need to be treated the same. Something no one knows about me:I was very quiet and shy at school..
We are pleased to announce that we have installed a driving simulator at Blacktown Lifestyle Centre recently, thanks to a grant acquired by Rhiannon O’Brien. This simulator is a great addition to our sites providing our clients throughout our centres to experience what it is like driving on the road and to help them with their goals in obtaining a drivers licence. It can also be utilized by staff and supported employees to touch up their skills or anyone that is looking into getting their drivers licence.
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August 12, 2016 - Issue 67
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Meet Marie, Fairfield DES Superstar
Marie Rose came to Afford DES Fairfield as an initial sign up from Centrelink. After reading over her JCA and speaking with her, she has many ailments and illnesses. Marie Rose is also limited with her driving due to her injuries and endurance. Marie Rose was quiet and distressed. Employment Consultant, Donna Keilor, discussed her current circumstances and that she had been full time carer for her 15 year old daughter, who suffers with epilepsy and delayed development. Marie Rose had to give up full time caring for her daughter due to her own health issues. Now her young 19 year old son is the full time carer. Marie Rose was sad and broken. Donna discussed our onsite counselling services and decided to schedule an appointment. We also discussed the services of our Business Development Officer Boris for finding employment opportunities. EC FI and TL KM advised that a preschool in Bankstown was looking for a person 8 hours per week to complete a certificate III in childcare, but had now changed to 15 hours per week with a wage subsidy and asked if that was something Marie Rose would be able to do. Marie, FI and Donna took Marie Rose to meet with the employer. Marie Rose was offered a work trial. After completion of the work trial Marie Rose negotiated her 15 hours per week, of paid employment being 5 hours per day, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Donna took Marie Rose to get fitted for some work attire and motivation. Donna was also given approval to complete the working with children check which they completed together on line and then went to the motor registry for payment. Marie Rose has been working with the assistance and supports we have provided her which include taking her to work and picking her up again. There has been an amazing change in Marie Rose since coming to Afford. She is more confident, motivated and determined to succeed. Marie Rose completed her 13 weeks of paid employment in the childcare centre and has recently opened her own Family Day Care after moving to a large home. Everyone at Fairfield DES is very proud of the achievements that Marie Rose has accomplished. Donna and Marie remain in contact to stay on top of things, Marie Rose advised Donna that she believes that God sent her an Angel.
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August 12, 2016 - Issue 67
Investing In Our Future We have purchased 3 new homes within the Hills and Macarthur region as we look to grow our services in these areas, moving into the NDIS. The three new locations feature beautiful one story houses in Rouse Hill, Oran Park and Eschol Park, which will be used as new Lifestyle Centre’s, but hold the capability to be converted into accommodation facilities in the future if needed. Each home has easy access to city buses, train lines, family parks and sporting fields, quality local schools and shopping centre’s all while containing private and spacious backyards with a large shaded area perfect for outdoor activities and large number of rooms which can be used to create sensory rooms or computer rooms to name a few. The purchase of these 3 homes provide a great platform as we look to expand our great services in the Hills and Macarthur regions.
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Hello From Disneyland
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In this Selfie Above: Staff Members Carol and Abbey with client Abdulrahman at the Guildford pyjama party.
Please send in your selfies
In the picture above: Clients from the Afford Getaways trip sent a postcard to say thankyou and hello from Disneyland!