Staff Matters 111

Staff matters July 14, 2017 - Issue 111 Week 1

Client Free Week Conference – A Howling Success!

P EM

OF

LOYER

CHOICE

In This Issue 1 Client Free Week

Conference – A Howling Success!

2 Staff Profile Project Princess Making Headlines Ashfield Community Grants Grand Deck!

3 Our Afford Hero, Marco Fluent in NRL!

4 Club Afford Visit Times Of Old

Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh

During the client free week, Afford’s Client Services employees attended the staff conference to discuss the success and growth of Afford under the NDIS over the past 12 months, and how we can better continue to offer the high level of service we provide to clients.

The 1 day conference featured many presentations including a Pulse Check of Afford, 2016/7 FYE & NDIS implications from CEO, Steven Herald; Communication with clients - Incidents and reporting & Group activity about Importance of relevant information from Casey Hailes, Executive Manager; New world of the NDIS from Rosie Barletta, Executive Manager – NDIS; Club Afford and Afford Getaways update from Allan Sio, and Michelle Flynn thrilled us all with a spine tingling Zombie team building game which left the room abuzz with energy and feeling slightly less human.

Everyone had a great time learning over a number of fun activities and are excited to see and be part of the better quality of service the NDIS has bought to Afford!

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

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

Staff matters

2

July 14, 2017 - Issue 111

Staff Profile

Project Princess Making Headlines Project Princess went viral almost overnight, causing a snowball effect of Schools, the local community as well as other organisations, such as The Movement and Mama Lanas, wanting to help with donations of formal wear for our clients.

Paul Nash DES Liverpool

Favourite Song: You are the Sunshine of my life (by Stevie Wonder) Favourite Movie: James Bond Casino Royale Favourite Hobbies: Studying Ancient History Favourite Foods: Chocolate If you could be an animal what would you be: A maltese lap dog spoilt rotten.

What is your dream holiday destination: Rome If you had the power what would you change about the world: Stop corruption What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: My wife has given me unconditional love and support.

If you had to teach something what would you teach: Ancient History Something no one knows about me: I played the Bagpipes in the Army Reserve.

Giving you the freedom to soar

However, the biggest highlight for Project Princess so far has been when Penrith MP, Emma Husar agreed to jump on board and help get the word out to the local community. She attended the Afford Ball last year and said she felt quite emotional seeing all the joy around her.

Last Wednesday our clients got to meet Emma at her office in Penrith.

She answered lots of questions the clients had regarding her role as MP, they were also able to share stories about their new group homes, Cherrywood Super site and their excitement about seeing her at this year’s Ball. She enjoyed meeting our clients just as much as our clients enjoyed meeting her. Some have even been promised a dance at the Ball this year with the beautiful Emma Husar.

Ashfield Community Grants Grand Deck!

This week local MP, Jo Hayden, attended the grand unveiling of the Ashfield Lifestyle Centre’s backyard makeover. Clients had a great time enjoying an afternoon of music and dancing on their brand-new deck and sheltered area.

Over the last few years, Afford have benefited from the support of our local MP, Jo Hayden. Through the generous support of Jo and the Community Building Partnership program we have been able to upgrade this facility including, an outdoor Apex shelter area, outdoor furniture and a ceiling hoist in the bathroom.

In the last Community Building round, we were able to upgrade our centre, providing clients with a wonderful Back Yard Makeover – it is a wonderful space for our guys that compliments the outdoor entertaining area and furniture. This area can be used all year round – it’s an area that is tranquil, peaceful and allows our guys to enjoy the outdoors in a safe environment.

www.afford.com.au

Staff matters

3

a

July 14, 2017 - Issue 111

Our Afford Hero Marco - Fluent in NRL! Marco is a client at our Oran Park Lifestyle Centre – his family have taken the time to share his heart-warming good news story with his Afford family: Marco was born with rare genetic disorder -a slight duplication on one of his chromosomes, he is the only one registered in the world with this slight duplication. It consists of a moderate global development delay and both an intellectual and physical disability.

We were told he may never walk nor talk. He was born with a huge unilateral cleft lip and palate and He is completely Dyslexic ... only reads and writes his name ….but despite his academic obstacles we have discovered that his true language is footy NRL. That’s the language he comprehends completely.

When he is on the field he knows exactly what to do and where to be- When the whistle blows he is understanding and aware of all that is around him and he is switched on 100 percent. There seems to be no disability when Marco is on the field, his disability is eliminated the minute you introduce the NRL footy football.

Playing footy, following footy, watching footy and mingling with the NRL family is what makes him happy as he can associate and feel comfortable within what he comprehends. Marco’s family support his playing and recognise that the field eliminates all his disability as it’s his language ...he knows.

This year 2017, he plays now for the newest established team -Wests Tigers physical disability team as a Fullback. He is currently living his dream as the West Tigers team is his highest passion in life and now he has the honour to represent them playing the game he loves, wearing his favourite colours on the field. Marco also has the honour each week to run the actual NRL Wests Tigers team onto their field for their games.

We as a family, on behalf of Marco can’t explain, what an honour it is that Marco runs the team out each week. He is so happy in his highest element when running the team.

It’s an honour to know these people within these clubs that embrace disability and that care for Marco and people like Marco and want to help their dreams also establish. The NRL family have embraced Marco and hold him as a future NRL disability ambassador.

Afford are proud to be able to support Marco while he continues to kick goals on and off the field! Marco recently represented Afford at the launch of our partnership with Western Sydney Wanderers, and as a sports fanatic can’t wait to get behind our work with the side. game a few weeks ago, Aaron too handed him the boots and signed them in the tigers shed We as a family, on behalf of Marco can’t explain, what an honour it is that Marco runs the team out each week. He is so happy in his highest element when running the team …..All thank to a wonderful NRL West Tigers club that has made Marco feel so included within the West Tigers and opened up the door to Marcos future within the club as part of their family.

It’s an honour to know these people within these clubs that embrace disability and that care for Marco and people like Marco and want to help their dreams also establish ….The NRL family have embraced Marco and hold him as a future NRL disability ambassador.

It’s also beautiful to note that even the players never forget Marco and take him to new sheds as they move on with clubs so Marco has the opportunity to meet the whole NRL family along the way.

Giving you the freedom to soar

www.afford.com.au

Staff matters

4

July 14, 2017 - Issue 111

Club Afford Visit Times Of Old Kings park clients attended one of the many awesome weekend events at the Hawkesbury medieval festival, this took clients to a whole other level getting to mingle with the guys and their armour, even trying some themselves. All clients loved this day, was a great experience and look forward to more of what Club Afford has to offer.

fl iweeek

Sef the o

In the Selfie Above: Staff Jacinta braiding our client Kristy’s hair at the beauty spa program.

Please send in your selfies

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

Have a laugh