BigDog October Newsletter 2024 by BigDog Support

BIGDOG

NEWS

OCTOBER SPOOKY SEASON’S HERE

Why did the skeleton go to the party alone? He had no body to go with him!

BUSINESS UPDATES

Exciting News!

Rostering and Communication Update

We just want to remind all workers that unfortunately due to the nature of the sector that we work in, we are unable to guarantee anyone fixed hours. The NDIS works off the participant's choice and control, so they ultimately get to decide who they would like to support them. Priority of hours is given to staff who consistently go above and beyond and are reliable. Any concerns about hours or rostering should be communicated directly with the office to avoid misunderstandings, as discussing them with colleagues can lead to unnecessary adjustments. We value professional, respectful communication from everyone to maintain a positive work environment. Recent leave requests and concerns about overworking have resulted in the hiring of new team members to ensure fair workload distribution, and we ppreciate the flexibility shown during this period. Teamwork and mutual respect remain crucial for our collective success.

We’re thrilled to announce the acquisition of Scottvale Fitness Club in Rockhampton, marking a fantastic collaboration between BigDog and this wellestablished facility. With this new addition, we’re now offering access to allied health, hydrotherapy, and much more to our Rockhampton participants. The excitement doesn't stop there—please join us in welcoming three new team members! Beth has joined our Rostering team, April has come on board as a Coordinator in Toowoomba, and Kirby is our new Coordinator in Rockhampton.

In this newsletter you will find:

Toowoomba

DEBORAH, YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR A STAFF SHOUT OUT FROM YOUR ADMIN TEAM FOR YOUR RESILIENCE & DETERMINATION WHEN DEALING WITH COMPLEX BEHAVIOURS.

PETER S, YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR A STAFF SHOUT OUT FROM YOUR ADMIN TEAM FOR KEEPING DAY SERVICE A FLOAT WHILE JESS WAS AWAY

Our Latest Stand-outs Rockhampton

Each month the office staff from Toowoomba and Rockhampton pick two standout employees from each location for their incredible contributions to the team and stand-out behaviours and dedication.

OLLIE, YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR A STAFF SHOUT OUT FROM YOUR ADMIN TEAM FOR FOR RELIABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ON THE LESS DESIRABLE TASKS

DION, YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR A STAFF SHOUT OUT FROM YOUR ADMIN TEAM FOR ALWAYS WILLING TO STEP UP AND TAKE ON LAST MINUTE WORK & WILLING TO WORK LONG DAYS AND TAKE ON NEW PEOPLE

ROCKHAMPTON

We close out September as the busiest month yet for BigDog this year. With the exciting changes in Rocky finally coming to fruition, we now as a team have the opportunity to work towards goals in new and exciting ways.

I have had the pleasure of participating in many stakeholders’ meetings, staff training both internally and from external practitioners as well as observing some exciting new activities available to our participants here in centre. All the positive feedback surrounding BigDog and BigDog staff has been amazing to hear and has not gone unnoticed.

It has been great to hear everyone’s ideas and to find out what’s going on in all areas of BigDog. I would like to thank all staff for attending and being so engaged. It has been such an exciting and eventful first two weeks here at BigDog.

September has been a month of growth and learning for both myself and BigDog. Watch this space for more exciting updates in the months to come.

BigDog Rockhampton have an opening available in a 1:3 SIL as well as a newly renovated property offering either a 1:1 or 1:2 SIL.

Thanks to all the staff and participants I have met so far, you have been nothing short of so welcoming. I am constantly impressed with how knowledgeable and professional everyone is and I already feel such fulfilment. I am already in love with my short time here so far, and I am so excited for the rest of my journey.

TOOWOOMBA

Hello everyone! My name is April Trueman, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new Service Coordinator here at BigDog Support Services. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first few weeks in this role, getting to know our wonderful team and the participants we support. I am passionate about creating a positive and engaging environment, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with all of you to enhance the services we provide.

From us both - October Health and Safety Reminder:

As we enter October, it's essential to highlight the importance of health and safety when it comes to promoting Personal Hygiene. Not showering regularly can lead to a variety of health risks, including skin infections, poor hygiene, and an increased likelihood of illness. These issues can be particularly concerning for individuals with mobility challenges underlying health conditions.

To ensure the well-being of our participants, we would like to inquire if anyone requires assistance with showering . Our team is here to support you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help or have any concerns.

Exciting Opportunities for Damien as he walks a new path of independence in our recently renovated SIL home here in Toowoomba.

Damien is super excited to see what this adventure brings for him and has settled into his room well. We are actively looking into new programs like Happy Paws, Hydrotherapy and Equine Therapy to help Damien make new memories and overcome new and old goals!! Welcome to the BigDog Family Damien.

please contact us at t_services@bigdog.au

Rockhampton Day Service

September has been a massive month for our Rockhampton Day Service Group! As we embraced the excitement of moving into our new building at the ScottVale Centre, located at 271 Richardson Road, we maintained our usual routine while transforming our fresh space into a vibrant home.

Energising!!

The past two weeks have been particularly energetic with the arrival of extra guests for the September school holidays. Our holiday group have been buzzing with energy, diving into a range of exciting activities and warmly welcoming many new faces to our community.

In a fantastic collaboration, Big Dog Day Service joined us for several activities, including a trip to the Rockhampton cinemas to catch the latest Transformers movie.

The excitement didn’t stop there! On Friday, September 27th, we came together for our muchanticipated Colour Run. Dressed in white shirts, we embraced the spirit of fun, and by the end of the day, we were a beautiful, colourful mess! We cant wait to see what the month of October has in store for us once we have fully settled in to our new space.

Over the past month, our 2 groups have in some memorable activities such as visiting the Capricorn Caves, Spending the Day at ‘Beach Day Out’, visiting Yeppoon and Emu Park and exploring all the new and exciting equipment that out new building has to offer.

ADVENTURE!!

Embark on a new adventure every day with Tayla and the team with the Rockhampton Day Service

TOOWOOMBA Day Service

�� September Buzz at the Toowoomba Day Service

This month, the Toowoomba Day Service group has been absolutely buzzing with excitement! Our beautiful gardens are flourishing, thanks to all the hard work and love we’ve been putting into them. Every morning, as part of our routine, we water and nurture our plants – and it’s really paying off! local gardens for inspiration, and we even had a chat with a local council worker who gave us some fantastic insights on how they prepare for upcoming events.

UNWIND!!

�� Big Morning Tea Fun! ��

Our big morning tea was a hit! We played a few fun games of bingo, enjoyed some delicious food, and wrapped up the day with a relaxing trip to a local coffee shop. Nothing like a chill afternoon to top off a day of fun!

�� Laser Tag Action! ��

�� Swimming in October! ��

Things got a bit competitive this month with the introduction of Laser Tag! This fastpaced game has everyone on their toes, and those who’ve joined in absolutely love it. A special shout-out to Scotty, who’s been undefeated so far – winning every single game!

Get your swimsuits ready! Starting at the end of October, we’re diving back into our swimming activities. Check the calendar for details – we’ll be alternating between Thursday and Friday sessions.

�� October is for Halloween Fun! October is going to be packed with excitement! We’ve got a spooky Halloween dress-up party planned at Sunset Superbowl –so start thinking about your costumes! On top of that, we have a lunch outing to Westbrook Tavern on October 2nd, and a hands-on Sensory Science Day on October 23rd.

SPOOKY!!

Company

I am thrilled to be your new roster coordinator. I look forward to working with each of you, addressing any questions or needs you may have regarding your schedules. Let’s make this a great experience together!

A bit about me; I am from the small town of Emerald, I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology and I have worked at McDonalds for 8 years, writing rosters for some time there.

1. Monday the 7th of October is the King's Birthday - a perfect excuse to trade your crown for a comfy day at home and your royal duties to sleep in. In all seriousness, day service won't be operating and some of the usual Monday supports won't be

2. Christmas is fast approaching! With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to submit your availability! Remember, it’s first come, first served, so make sure to get your preferences in early to secure your spot.

3. Calling in sick - Everyone gets sick sometimes that is a part of life. I just ask that if you are calling in sick, you notify us as soon as possible to help us manage the schedule and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are important, and I encourage you to reach out whenever you need to. Whether you have questions, need support, or just want to chat, my door is always open.

* Please ensure you read the CareMaster news to stay up to date with all things BigDog.

* If you are calling in sick for any shift please ensure you call BigDog landline, DO NOT TEXT any mobile. If your shift starts before 9am you MUST call ON CALL.

* For rostering issues call Pam, for client issues call Abby or Kirby. Please do not call Macka.

* It is part of your uniform that you wear your ID, Blue card and Yellow Card at all times when on shift. If you do not have a lanyard please see Pam and she can give you one.

* Thanks to all staff for their ongoing flexibility and understanding while we have moved. A big thanks to those staff who on cancelled shifts have helped to unpack and set up our new spaces

SCOTTVALE

September has been a big month for BigDog as we have officially moved into our new space at Scottvale Health Club.

As I step into my new role as Venue Manager, it gives me great pleasure to facilitate the combination of teams and welcome in our highly experience allied health professionals.

The Scottvale team bring a wealth of knowledge in their respective fields and the NDIS space and i look very forward to seeing both of our teams grow together.

The team have been assisting the Rockhampton community in a range of different ways since 2010 and BigDog are over joyed to now be a part of this.

Keep an eye on this space as well as our Facebook page to be up to date with all exciting new opportunities here at BigDog. We hope to continue to see all our existing clients and welcome some new faces into the space.