Staff Matters 108

Staff matters June 23, 2017 - Issue 108 Week 50

Cherrywood: New Beginning!

In This Issue 1 Cherrywood: New Beginning!

2 Staff Profile Project Princess A Viral Sensation!

Welcome aboard, Our New CFO Jason Lim!

3 Living A Healthy Life at Afford

4 Big Smiles at Luna Park Cherrywood has welcomed the very first Afford Lifestyle clients into the new, modern and exciting Penrith Lifestyle Centre that is now open on the Supersite.

Clients were overjoyed to see the new centre at the Cherrywood Supersite.

Together with staff, clients joined in to move and arrange the furniture the way they wanted it. They helped sort and decide what they wanted to keep and display from their old site and make the centre their own.

But their biggest surprise was outside! Penrith clients didn’t have a backyard and always longed for an outside space to enjoy the outdoors. Now, the new Penrith Lifestyle Centre at Cherrywood has all the outdoor space they’ve ever dreamed of and more! They have ‘bush tucker’ plans, which means that clients will grow vegetables and plants so they can eat berries and use herb plants for cooking programs.

At the end of their day visit, everyone was exhausted and enjoyed chilling out on the new lounges.

The feedback that we’re getting from parents is also really positive. They love the new site saying it is ‘fantastic’ and that they ‘love it’. They especially love that the new site has windows, outdoor space, and are impressed with how big and light it is.

The Cherrywood Supersite is already an absolute success for Afford and there are more successes still to come!

Giving you the freedom to soar www.afford.com.au

and Sydney Olympic Park for Club Afford! #ISPY the Afford Brand Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh

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

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June 23, 2017 - Issue 108

Staff Profile

Project Princess A Viral Sensation!

Our Project Princess has gone viral! The moment Afford’s Project Princess was shared online it was a hit! Sites such as Mama Lana Foundation, The Movement and even the Penrith MP Emma Husar have come on board to spread the word about the Project Princess initiative. The initial announcement shared via Facebook has been viewed over 3,200 times! The Movement and MP Emma Husar are also starting a collection and taking donations at their offices and publishing a story in the local paper.

Daniel Rogers

Business Development Minchinbury Favourite Song: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Favourite Movie: Blow Favourite Hobbies: Skateboarding, wakeboarding, surfing and travelling!

Favourite Foods: Fajitas and Penang Curry If you could be an animal what would you be: An Eagle What is your dream holiday destination: Backpacking through South America.

If you had the power what would you change about the world: Famine, War and Peace.

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: My wife giving me our two children.

If you had to teach something what would you teach: Skateboarding or Wakeboarding Something no one knows about me: I don’t like my photo being taken, ask Michelle!!

Giving you the freedom to soar

So many generous people from across Sydney have asked to donate gowns and dresses as part of the initiative and Amy from The Movement has been a great help in providing numerous drop off points so that we can accommodate all these requests. We received a huge drop off on Friday from The Movement as they are running out of space at their office from all the donations. We have received donations from the Sutherland Shire through to places such as Lake Haven on the (Central Coast) - the response has been overwhelming!

The inspiration for Project Princess came from the photos of our clients at the Afford Ball last year. All clients looked like princes and princesses and the smiles on their faces was a wonderful sight. Afford stages the Annual Gala Ball each year so that our clients can enjoy the feeling of being treated like royalty for the night. Everyone deserves to feel like a prince and princess and they are certainly going to look the part once again this year, thanks to the Project Princess initiative and the donations from all our amazing Afford Supporters.

Call Out for Help: If anyone would like to make a donation contact Cristina: 0404 206 007

Welcome aboard, Our New CFO Jason Lim!

We are excited to welcome our new CFO Jason Lim to Afford.

Jason comes to Afford with a wealth of experience. As a Chartered Accountant of over 20 years, he enjoys making sense of numbers and helping others understand their financials. He emigrated from Malaysia and settled in Sydney in 2001. Since then he has held senior finance roles in hospitality, aviation services, shipping and logistics.

His first foray into the not-forprofit sector was with a private independent school as the Business Manager. He believes that sound money management is crucial to the success of any organisation, especially in a not-for-profit entity where its shareholders or members do not receive any financial benefit. To this end, he is passionate in helping Steve Herald, Afford’s CEO to ensure the growth and on-going financial success of Afford.

www.afford.com.au

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June 23, 2017 - Issue 108

Living A Healthy Life at Afford

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There’s a big change happening at Afford and it all about HEALTH! Afford is passionate about educating clients about the benefits of healthy living and making sure this message rings true throughout everything that we offer.

It’s a very exciting time at Afford. We’re creating new programs to help clients leave weight and nicotine problems behind to start a fresh and healthier lifestyle. At Afford, it’s all about a whole-of-life approach for clients. We do more than just provide food and a place to stay - Afford aims to arm each client with the knowledge, skills and support they need to live independent, happy, healthy and full lives.

Donna is an Afford Supported Employee that works in Afford’s Head Office. Her new saying is: “what goes through your lips, goes to your hips.” Donna’s weight loss has been overwhelming. She has lost around 20kg by cutting down her portion sizes and staying away from Coke. She’s even educating other employees by telling them that there are eight teaspoons of sugar in one can of Coke! Donna has been part of two sessions with a Nutritionist at the Ripples Leisure Centre to help her through her weight loss journey.

Donna’s goal is to go down three dress sizes and she has already started to see - and feel - the difference in her clothes and legs. She is feeling healthier and happier and credits working in her new role at Afford Head Office for helping her keep her busy and distracted from unhealthy habits.

Another good news story comes from our Billabong, Rainbow and True Blue Group Homes. Team Leaders, Daniel and Tracey, have worked with residents to adopt a healthy eating program. The ultimate goal of the program is to ‘make the household a healthy eating environment’.

Clients retain all freedom and choice in their homes and clients are encouraged to maintain a healthy balance through the purchase of smaller portions of food, leaner meats and stocking the pantry themselves.

The True Blue Group Home is very focussed on eating lots of fresh fruit and veggies. Clients choose meals from menus that include healthy produce. Fruit bowls are always full and residents love taking fruit to work and coming home for healthy snacks at any time.

During baking sessions, the True Blue group focus on making food from scratch with fresh ingredients. They have made mushroom and spinach quiche, apple strudel and stir fries, which are all favourite dishes!

Residents love menu planning, shopping and cooking and with the support of staff. They happily choose healthy fresh meals to prepare and cook. With support from staff, Colleen and other residents go shopping for their weekly menu produce and they are very proud and confident in choosing the right foods during their shopping outings and making their own healthy choices. The consensus among residents is that healthy food ‘tastes sooooo good!’

Giving you the freedom to soar

www.afford.com.au

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June 23, 2017 - Issue 108

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Big Smiles at Luna Park and Sydney Olympic Park for Club Afford

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Club Afford has gone from strength to strength and is continuously welcoming new members to enjoy the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.

On Saturday, 17 June 2017 Club Afford participants cooked their own BBQ lunch at Olympic Park. Everyone enjoyed the glorious weather and sat around to eat the lunch that was prepared by all. Everyone went for a long walk up the hill to view the look out and the group then explored Luna Park and took some photos! It was a memorable day and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and exercise.

Call Connie: 0434 763 745 and Join The Club!

#ISPY the Afford Brand Out and About on Our Roads. Go Afford!

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In the Selfie Above: District Manager Kathy Bullock and her new grandson Archie born 17.06.2017, having their first selfie!

Please send in your selfies

Giving you the freedom to soar www.afford.com.au

Have a laugh