Staff Matters 117

Staff matters August 25, 2017 - Issue 117 Week 7

Afford Getaways Takes Flight to a Disney Delight

In This Issue 1 Afford Getaways Takes

Flight to a Disney Delight

2 Staff Profile Afford Supporter of the Month: Wests Ashfield Grant Enhances Sensory Learning Afford Keeping Our Staff Warm

3 Marco Kicking

International Goals Chipping Norton Lifestyle Centre Have it Covered!

4 Have You Secured Your

Place for the Afford Gala Ball?

Afford Getaways offer clients the chance to experience something or someplace new and enjoy a relaxing holiday with friends - all while being supported by an Afford staff member of their choice.

Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh

Recently, nine Afford clients and three lucky Afford staff members took off on the latest Afford Getaway adventure to DISNEYLAND and California in the USA! Excitement has been building over the past few weeks, with clients literally counting down the days to take off.

Afford Getaways are well researched, planned and packed to make our clients holiday dreams come true. We want to make sure that each and every participant is supported on their Afford Getaway so that they can have a memorable time away - creating friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Andrew is a resident of Afford’s Dolphin Cove Group Home in Penrith who is currently on the Disneyland Afford Getaway. For the past 12 months, staff have taught Andrew about budgeting and he has saved $50 a fortnight to be able to attend his dream trip to Disneyland. Andrew’s sister, Nicole, tells us that Andrew called from the airport and sounded ‘ready for action’! We’re delighted that Afford is able to support Andrew to realise his dream of making this special trip.

We can’t wait to see the amazing experiences, people and places that our Afford Getaways participants encounter on their trip and look forward to seeing the smiles and stories that such a special holiday will create.

Let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

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

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August 25, 2017 - Issue 117

Staff Profile

Afford Supporter of the Month:

Wests Ashfield Grant Enhances Sensory Learning Thanks to the generous support of West Ashfield RSL, Afford received a CLUBSGRANTS cheque for $14,400 to be used by two Afford sites.

Joshua Singh

Lifestyle Assistant Afford Accommodation Favourite Song: Bang Bang – Nancy Sinatra Favourite Movie: Kill Bill Favourite Hobbies: Painting, playing Playstation and bushwalking.

Favourite Foods: Baked beans on toast, curry and sushi.

If you could be an animal what would you be: An eagle What is your dream holiday destination: Japan or USA If you had the power what would you change about the world: All social disadvantages to make the world equal.

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: Taken me to the Great Barrier Reef for my birthday.

If you had to teach something what would you teach: Painting and art in general.

Something no one knows about me: I enjoy snorkeling and taking photos under water.

let your abilities soar

The first grant of $6,625 will assist with the purchase of four iPads and two laptop computers to provide essential training for our clients who attend the Afford Marrickville ADE site. This project will ensure that our clients are provided with hands on training to assist them with vital skills to make the most of today’s technological world.

The second grant of $7,775 will be used to update our sensory room and equipment at the Afford Ashfield Lifestyle Centre. This sensory equipment is an essential part of clients’ daily routines and helps develop a sense of movement, improve motor skills and social interaction.

Afford is so fortunate to have such generous supporters and we are proud to be able to provide additional equipment to broaden the life experiences and skills of our clients.

Afford Keeping Our Staff Warm Afford ADEs are an Employer of Choice!

Providing a fun and friendly environment where anyone would want to work. This year all employees are recieveing their very own Afford Beanie to keep warm.

Employees have chosen the colour that they love so you can recognise them from a mile away. It is all part of our Afford Employer of choice initiative as we recognise the hard work and commitment that our supported employees show every single day. We believe that hard work should be recognised, and employees are so excited to receive their new beanies!

P EM

OF

LOYER

CHOICE

www.afford.com.au

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August 25, 2017 - Issue 117

Marco Kicking International Goals Marco is a client at Oran Park Lifestyle Centre who truly has a gift for all things sport. He has exceeded the expectations of his family and Afford staff by achieving his personal goal of becoming more social with others, with Marco regularly outdoors kicking and passing the ball to his peers at Oran Park Lifestyle Centre.

But now, Marco is about to realise his biggest dream. He will be travelling to New Zealand in November to play for his favourite team, the West Tigers. Marco is a player of the Physical Disability Rugby League Association (PDRLA) and for many players, going overseas - or even having a passport - has long been out of reach.

This November, the dreams of many, including Marco, will be realised on tour from 1 to 7 November in New Zealand where players will play their much loved games of rugby league footy and enjoy the companionship of team mates in an environment and competition focussed on inclusivity and championing the unique abilities of every player.

Marco is an inspiration to us all and we’re so glad to be able to share in his journey to realising his sporting dreams.

Go Marco!

Chipping Norton Lifestyle Centre Have it Covered!

This week local MP, Melanie Gibbons, attended the grand unveiling of Chipping Norton Lifestyle Centre’s new indoor/outdoor area.

With the funding received last year, we were able to install a 6m x 6m pergola structure with bistro blinds. The addition has not only increased the floor space, but it has turned Chipping Norton’s outdoor area into a space that can be enjoyed regardless of the season, with the shelter suitable to use all year round. At the opening, our CEO, Steve, commented on how great it is that clients are now able to fully enjoy the site’s space throughout the year, and that clients are protected and sun-safe during the upcoming hot days.

Over the last few years, Afford have been given the support of our local MP, Melanie Gibbons, through the Community Building Partnership program.

Prior to receiving funding for the indoor/ outdoor area, we were funded to raise the garage floor to create an exceptional sensory room that our clients are able to enjoy daily. Most recently, we received funding for a ducted air condition system which is now installed. So far it has had great use on the cooler days and we know this system will get a work out this summer.

Afford are grateful for the ongoing support of our local communities and look forward to more collaborative work with our local MPs.

let your abilities soar

www.afford.com.au

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August 25, 2017 - Issue 117

Have You Secured Your Place for the Afford Gala Ball?

Afford is again getting ready for the Annual Gala Ball with close to 1,000 Afford clients, carers, staff and VIPs expected to attend this year’s event at Penrith Panthers.

As most of you will have seen, we have received a great response from our Project Princess call out for gowns, suits and accessories to support our clients to feel like princesses and princes on this special night. Donations have flooded in and clients are already lining up to choose the outfit they will make them feel like royalty.

SAVE THE DATE Special Guest Perfomance

Afford stages the Annual Gala Ball every year as a celebration for our clients. It is not a fundraising event - it is purely designed to be an amazing night for clients to come together, dance the night away, enjoy a delicious meal and create amazing memories.

To Book Your Tickets Now RSVP: Kara - 02 47 202 305

By September 1st, 2017

Many of our clients haven’t had the chance to attend a formal event, so the Afford Gala Ball is one way for us to make our clients the stars and celebrate all their achievements over the past year.

The Afford Gala Ball will be held on 1 September 2017 at Penrith Panthers. Be sure to secure your spot by sending your RSVP to kara.palmieri@affordcom.au or 02 47 202 305

fl iweeek

Sef the o

In the Selfie Above: Staff Member, Don Nguyen loves Mario time. Wa-hoo!

Please send in your selfies

let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

WWW.AFFORD.COM.AU

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/AFFORDNSW/

Have a laugh