Staff Matters 79

Staff Matters

November 11, 2016- Issue 79 Week 19

Keeping Up With The Constructions

In this Issue Page 1 • Keeping Up With The Constructions

Page 2 • Staff Profile • Out Of Control Blaze Sears Cherrywood

Page 3 • Customer Service Awards

Page 4

Although it is estimated that the remaining new group homes in Penrith will be complete within the first half of 2017, they are back underway and developing very quickly with one site having a roof in place and others starting to build the walls.

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

For the residents who have transitioned into the new group homes the move from Cherrywood has proved to be a huge success, giving them a chance to get more actively involved within their local community and a opportunity to live more independently and learn more household chores such as washing clothes, cooking meals and watering their plants.

Stay tuned for more updates on these homes as they develop over the next few months!

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

• Afford Employment, Motivation For Success • Afford Selfies • Have A Laugh

Reminder Don’t forget to send your/clients achievements and good news stories & photo’s to CELEBRATE@afford.com.au

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November 11, 2016 - Issue 79

Staff Profile

Out Of Control Blaze Sears Cherrywood

Vickie Edmunds

Lifestyle Assistant Penrith Lifestyle Centre Favourite Song: Anything by Elvis.

Favourite Movie: Too many to choose from.

Favourite Hobbies: Sleeping and Drinking.

Favourite Foods: Thai Food.

Our Cherrywood site has been damaged as a bushfire burnt out of control through Cranebrook and Llandilo last Friday.

If you could be an animal what would you be: A dog.

The fire blazed uncontrollably for 4 hours wiping down trees and homes all through the Penrith area.

What is your dream holiday destination: Hawaii.

If you had the power what would you change about the world: The Government.

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: My husband proposing to me.

If you had to teach something what would you teach: Science.

Something no one knows about me: I think I was an exotic dancer in a previous life.

Thanks to the heroics of Afford staff everyone at Cherrywood was evacuated safely and placed into our new group homes and a serviced apartment for the week as fire crew and personnel assessed the damage to the site.

From behalf of everyone at Afford we would like to thank the following staff members for their efforts in getting everyone out safely and calmly: Vicky Reynolds Tracy Younie Kristie Hickey Ngaire McKechnie Daniel McCallum Wendy Bricknell Nelly Jones Susan Borland Kym Mafi The Cherrywood site has now been deemed safe to return and all residents are excited to arrive home!

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November 11, 2016 - Issue 79

Customer Service Awards

Afford would like to congratulate the following staff members who went above and beyond and won this month’s customer serive awards: Ellen Johnson, Lifestyle Assistant, Condell Park: Ellen person is an excellent role model to follow, they are aware of all client’s needs as well as our site needs. She has excellent customer’s service skills dealing with our families and carers, supplying them with information and answers that satisfy their needs. Ellen may be misunderstood sometimes as a bossy person because of her passion to see our job done with excellence which teaches the team there is a way to do better. Ellen always knows what needs to be done and usually is the first to arrive on site early to do it. She provides guidelines and training to the team, most of all too new staff and students by giving a good example on how to be a team player. When our Team Leader is away, our team rely on Ellen, knowing that she knows what is better for our clients and staff as a working team. Ellen has been working for Afford for almost ten years now and knows our client’s needs and advocates for them to get their needs met as individuals. Ellen greets our families and carers with a professional attitude, always having an answer to their questions.

Ellen Johnson, Lifestyle Assistant, Condell Park (external): I wanted to express my thanks especially to Ellen for her care. She obviously gave ‘client’ a great time and he was able to come out of his shy shell and really enjoy himself after a couple of days. Just wanted to say a special thanks to the her and the other staff involved and let them know how much it means to us as a family to see ‘client’ come back from a holiday with a beaming face!

Judy Bennett, Vocational Trainer YESS: Judy worked extremely hard to dress clients for the ball. Dressing over 50 on her own, she not only did this at home but also did repairs on all of the zips, hems and alterations. Judy picked up and supported Mikala on the night. Judy has just gone to camp and volunteered to assist at the fete with the YESS stall. She has been busy card making with trainees for the stall and is also assisting with graduation. Judy always thinks of our trainees and how she can help to improve their lives. Judy also brought 2 trainees to the Nepean expo so that they could volunteer. Recently one of our trainees had a family situation that was extremely difficult, Judy picked this young lady up for 1 week at 6.30am until mum said she could safely return home in the afternoon. All of this is done with a smile and an attitude that makes those around her smile.

Judy has added value not only to YESS but to the Afford family, she is a great ambassador walking the walk.

Judy’s actions are all person centered and she has a fabulous attitude.

Sarah Chick, Lifestyle Assistant, Kings Park (external): ‘clients’ very positive response to you on Wednesday was because you treated him as an equal/peer. You made him feel safe and secure which in turn enabled him to be himself. ‘Client’ feels as though he has hope in his life, he was very buoyant when he got home last night.

We had a family talk on Wednesday night when we all got home and came to the decision that we would love it if Sarah would be his personal one on one carer/coach/mentor. We appreciate your help and support, and I perceive that you have a genuine desire to help people with disabilities which is very uplifting for me to know you’ll be helping my son.

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November 11, 2016 - Issue 79

Afford Employment, Motivation For Success Afford Employment in Bankstown began servicing Annette Marker in May 2014 when her confidence and motivational levels were decreasing due to her health and barriers.

Thanks to the support from Afford, a significant improvement was shown from Annette who lifted most non vocational barriers and helped moved Annette’s focus into actively aiming to gain employment in her chosen retail industry which she has a passion for.

Annette and Employment Consultant Mariam began working together extensively increasing motivational levels.

Annette was introduced to an employer in the retail industry who was immediately interested in Annette’s skill set and her passion to work in a store which sells items in crafts which are her hobbies.

Annette was offered the position she had been searching for.

Annette is now working within a dynamic team to the best of her abilities overcoming her barriers while maintaining her health program.

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In this Selfie Above: CEO Steven Herald having the honour of sitting at a table with PM Malcom Turnbull and the Federal Assistant Minister for Disabilities, Jane Prentice at the National Disability Awards held in Canberra.

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