Staff Matters
May 29, 2015 - Issue 6 Week 48
Prince Harry meets AFFORD
In this Issue Page 1 • Prince Harry Meets AFFORD
Page 2 • Staff Profile • Luke’s View
Page 3 • Minchinbury Graduates Pictured:Tristan and the Mt Druitt Day Program team meet Prince Harry and right Mt Druitt DSW Ursula Todd gets a hug from the Prince
On his recent visit to Sydney, Prince Harry was lucky enough to have the opportunity of meeting some wonderful AFFORD customers on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Customers and staff from the Mt Druitt Day Program travelled into the city hoping that they might get to see the Prince on his last official “walkabout” in Australia. On arrival at the Opera House, DSW Ursula Todd, approached a security guard and asked him if there was anywhere that they could stand with some people in wheelchairs where they might have the opportunity to see the Prince. The warm hearted security guard made a special roped off area where the Mt Druitt customers could all be accommodated on their own. Front row seats! Tristan Bell had a chat with the Prince and even appeared on Channel 9 news. Ursula, who is from the UK, even got a cuddle. I am sure that this picture was sent to many phones and emails back in England.
T 02 8805 3700 E info@afford.com.au 12 Marieanne Place, Minchinbury 2770 afford.com.au
Page 4 • Ashfield Morning Tea • AFFORD Selfies • Have a laugh
AFFORD Fact In 1960, AFFORD opened its first Australian Disability Enterprise at Gow Street, Bankstown.
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May 29, 2015 - Issue 6
Staff Profile
Luke’s View on our Customers
Brian Troy
Employment Consultant Favourite Song: Ode To Joy from Beethoven’s ninth symphony Favourite Movie: Life Of Brian Favourite Hobbies: Crosswords Favourite Foods: Steak If you could be an animal what would you be: Eagle What is your dream holiday destination: Venice If you won Lotto what would you spend the money on: Travel If you had the power what would you change about the world: Eliminate inequality of opportunity What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: Present of driving a Ferrari on a racetrack If you had to teach something what would you teach: Science/ mathematics Something no one knows about me: I have faced an Australian opening bowler and lived to tell the tale.
Pictured above: Luke Papallo DES Counsellor
The following story was written by DES Counsellor Luke Papallo How do we see our customers? I was once told the quality of your life is determined by the quality of questions you ask, and this is true for the question of “How do I see my customer?” Do I see the customer as someone capable, someone with potential, someone needing a push, someone with extraordinary purpose? This internal dialogue that normally just happens without us being aware (positive or negative), determines how we converse, react and guide the customer. I understand we need to be realistic with a customer’s capabilities, limitations, strengths and weaknesses but the self-belief (generally) a customer has about themselves is usually quite low, therefore we need to be that person that see’s their uniqueness, talents, strengths and the many parts that makes them special. A balance is needed, seeing the person as a whole (strengths and weaknesses), but holding onto the thought/perception “this person is capable of extraordinary things”, and watch what happens in the next weeks/months. The conversation will change, your behaviour toward the customer will change, their belief in who they are will change and when someone believes in themselves more and more, opportunities follow. It was Mark Twain who said “if you think you can or can’t, you’re right”. So our self-belief or internal dialogue is right either way, so is our belief towards our customers. You think they are extraordinary, you’re right. We need to become aware of our internal dialogue, to then make a conscious choice to change our perception. Constantly keeping yourself in check, asking “How do I see this person” or “do I see them as extraordinary” will only assist the relationship and the long term effect on both parties’ well-being and outcomes.
Staff Matters May 29, 2015 - Issue 6
Minchinbury Work Skills Graduates
Pictured: some of the graduates from Minchinbury with their cake
Ten employees from the AFFORD Minchinbury factory graduated from the Employment Work
Skills Program last month. This is the second group of graduates from Minchinbury and we have also had a group of graduates from Ingleburn. All the employees pictured completed training in work policies and procedures; Work Health and Safety processes; administrative tasks; and also the use of factory machinery, such as the bundle wrapper. The ten AFFORD Minchinbury employees received a recognised TAFE Statement of Attainment in Employee Work Skills during a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, 28 April 2015 at the factory site, in front of an audience of parents, carers and fellow employees. They had a wonderful morning tea with all the food prepared by the Minchinbury Catering Team. The special graduation cake even had an edible version of the Work Skills Certificate of Attainment on the top. We are all very proud of the employees who have devoted their time and energy to learning and perfecting new skills and there will no doubt be more opportunities for them to study in the future. Congratulations to all the graduates.
Don’t forget AFFORD Trivia Night - Saturday July 18, contact Lyn Wallace on 0409 903 646
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May 29, 2015 - Issue 6
Ashfield has a big Morning Tea Ashfield Day Program held a Big Morning Tea last week to raise money for the Cancer Council. This was organised by Team Leader Coreena Fantella and DSW Garry Adams. As an incentive to raise money Coordinator Adam Garcia offered that if they raised more than $400 he would shave his head and Ashfield Team Leader Coreena would dye her hair pink. The team at Ashfield raised $790 for Cancer Council with donations coming from customers, families, the community and AFFORD staff. It was a great event and the customers and their families had a wonderful time. Staff from the Ashfield Library, which the Ashfield customers attend every week, also joined in. This lavish morning tea was also attended by customers and staff from the Guildford Day Program.
Pictured above Ashfield DSW Garry Adams shaves Adam Garcia’s head
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In this selfie - Angela Wilkinson from LINK and Lyn Wallace, TTW Manager
Please send in your selfies to Deb Fucci
Pictured above Ashfield Library staff joined Ashfield customer Jackson Kelly and Ashfield DSW Kris Kristianto (far right) for their Biggest Morning Tea
Have a laugh