Staff Matters 118

Staff matters September 1, 2017 - Issue 118 Week 8

USA Dream Team Return Home

In This Issue 1 USA Dream Team Return Home

2 Staff Profile Swimming Skills a Splashing Success A Fitting Start to the Afford Ball

3 Afford Snap Up Literacy & Numeracy Program

A Bellisimo Night for Carers

4 A Step Ahead At Afford Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh

The dream holiday may be over, but the stories and memories will last forever. Our Afford Getaways USA dream team have all arrived home safely and smiling, with lots of goodies and stories to share.

After spending a magical time in Disneyland our nine lucky travellers headed down to San Diego to get up close and personal with the animals.

Like all Afford Getaways, the USA trip involved much planning and coordination with clients, families/carers, as well as accommodation tourism and attraction providers, to ensure that the trip was suitable, and would be enjoyable, for every participant.

Afford Getaways are based on the interests of clients and deliver truly memorable supported holidays with many opportunities to enjoy new life experiences, make new friends and to take time out.

For all payroll enquiries

send to payroll@afford.com.au

All clients are eligible, so remind them about the all the fun at Afford Getaways!

Let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

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September 1, 2017 - Issue 118

Staff Profile

Dwayne Fuller

NDIS External Support Coordinator Minchinbury Favourite Song: Super Far by Lany Favourite Movie: Grease Favourite Hobbies: Hiking/ exploring and swimming.

Favourite Foods: Prawns If you could be an animal what would you be: A turtle What is your dream holiday destination: Alaska If you had the power what would you change about the world: Negativity of any kind.

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: Someone paid for my parking ticket.

If you had to teach something what would you teach: Biology Something no one knows about me: I’m tall!

Swimming Skills a Splashing Success For the past year, Cherrywood Lifestyle Centre (formerly Penrith Lifestyle Centre) has been attending the Sydney Gymnastic and Aquatics Centre (SGAC) at Rooty Hill to enjoy a regular structured swimming program at the Aquatic Centre.

Our clients look forward to attending the swimming program, with the water temperature being a welcoming 32 degrees all year round. This enables our client to take part in the swimming program during summer and even on those frosty winter days.

The group participates in a variety of games that enhance their swimming skills and water safety abilities. A professional swimming instructor from the SGAC assists clients and Afford Lifestyle Assistants during the program.

Every sessions brings out the smiles on our clients’ faces. They learn new skills and have fun along the way. This program has been a great success and will continue to evolve with many more exciting lessons to come.

A Fitting Start to the Afford Ball With one of the most highly anticipated client events only a few weeks away, everyone is starting to get very excited about Afford’s Annual Gala Ball.

This week, three super-excited clients were treated like royalty as they searched for their “number ones” or outfits for the Ball.

While heading out to Penrith to see what beautiful outfits awaited, our clients beamed with smiles and questions. “What colour dress should I pick, long or short?” Clients were greeted by the amazing Cristina and there was a happy buzz in the air with everyone grinning from ear to ear. As our client, Dane, entered the room he was amazed at the long rack of suits that all hang neatly waiting for their new owners. Dane loved looking at all the suits, commenting regularly, “That’s a nice one, I try on please?”

Dane tried five suits and each time he looked in the mirror he would jump and clap. Dane is looking forward to the Afford Gala Ball and dancing the night away with his friends. He even tried a few groovin’ moves in his new suit to be sure it was up to the task.

Thanks to Afford’s Project Princess (#projectprincess) initiative, the dreams of many of our clients will truly become a reality as they look like stars at the Afford Gala Ball. See you on the dance floor!

let your abilities soar

www.afford.com.au

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September 1, 2017 - Issue 118

Afford Snap Up Literacy & Numeracy Program Responding to clients’ interests, Ashfield Lifestyle Centre has initiated a Literacy and Numeracy program for clients that runs on Thursday mornings.

The program includes several activities that are designed to retain clients’ interest.

Clients enthusiastically read aloud from specially designed large print ‘two-lap books’ and each page is discussed with clients to increase understanding of the text.

One alphabet letter is introduced per week, and clients complete worksheets that include tracing exercises where clients receive hand over hand assistance as required.

Numeracy worksheets are also integrated into the program and clients are assisted in number recognition, tracing numbers, and counting tactile objects.

SNAP! This card game brings back fond memories for our clients, and we have seen enjoyment and a growth in understanding about how the game is played.

Clients also grow in confidence as they recognise more and more numbers while playing.

At the end of the Literacy and Numeracy Program, staff from Ashfield Lifestyle Centre use the Electronic Smartboard to further re-inforce letter and number learning using YouTube songs.

Benefits of the program have included: • Recollection of enjoyable family activities such as book reading, and card

games, also prior classroom environments • Increase in verbal contributions from clients • Self-esteem and confidence of clients has grown through the successful integration of activities tailored to client strengths • Increased mental stimulation leading to possible reduction of behaviours.

A Bellisimo Night for Carers At Afford, we believe that support for our carers is an important part of creating whole-of-life and sustainable supports for clients.

Afford has established an engaging, supportive and fun Carers Program where people can come together to share the triumphs and challenges with others who share similar experiences. The Carers Program offers networking opportunities and the chance to raise questions and make new connections with others.

Over the past year, our Carers Program has experienced rapid growth and has established a range of comprehensive and integral programs that create safe, fun and nourishing environments for Carers.

Our Campbelltown parents/carers recently enjoyed a lovely Italian meal at Isabella’s Wood Fired Pizzeria in Leumeah, while clients were treated to a disco and pizza back at Campbelltown Lifestyle Centre.

It was a wonderful night that allowed everyone to share their stories and meet other carers who share similar experiences. Questions were asked about individual client programs and parents and carers had the opportunity to also communicate some of their child’s personal interests and goals for the future.

Afford goes above and beyond to support clients; taking a holistic approach to assist families and carers to maintain the best support possible for clients – whether it’s therapeutic groups, forums, or an evening out.

let your abilities soar

www.afford.com.au

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September 1, 2017 - Issue 118 P EM

A Step Ahead At Afford

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Afford launched the Step Up Program last year and it has been a resounding success! The Step Up Program is a development program for employees that provides opportunities across the organisation to step up with the support of HR and other departments.

LOYER

CHOICE

The Step Up Program has been an ongoing success, recently celebrating the announcement of a number of employees across Afford who have successful secured positions in the current Program.

This is a very important initiative for Afford. Afford is experiencing significant growth and succession planning is a key process that not only gives our employees a real career path within client services, but also supports and fosters the advancement of Managment roles from within.

Congratulations to the following Staff for Stepping up at Afford: Allison Storjohann – Blacktown Tasnim Sandford – Ashfield Motti Kaplan – Ashfield Courtnee Pike – Green Valley Zahra Ahmadfakhrodin – Accommodation Stephanie Calaizis – Belmore David Farrell – Mt. Druitt James Peagam – Canley Vale Tammy Marsh – Kings Park Kylie Billingsley – St. Marys Respite

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In the Selfie Above: CEO Steve Herald, drawn to a round of golf!

Please send in your selfies

let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

Have a laugh