WINTER 2014
Hospitality | Compassion | Respect | Justice | Excellence
iAccord ISSUE | WINTER 2014
Message from Tony Hollamby, CEO Welcome to the winter edition of iAccord. However the feeling of spring is in the air and this reminds me it’s a time of year where everywhere you look things are flourishing. In many ways this reflects how Accord is also performing in a range of areas and most importantly in how relationships with clients and families are growing. The organisational rollout of Achieving Together (Accord’s relational model based on Catholic Social Teaching principles) is now complete. There will be ongoing follow up with individuals and teams to ascertain how Achieving Together is making a difference. In this edition we shine the light on our Accommodation service as we share many positive stories of the people living and working within our Shared Supported Accommodation setting. It is a great privilege for us as an organisation to be able to share in day-to-day experiences of our clients and to be actively involved in their lives. Accord recently participated in stage one of DHS Quality Standards and ISO 9001 accreditation process. The feedback from the auditor was very positive
WINTER 2014 In this issue Message from Tony Hollamby, CEO Making a difference in the community
and Accord will be participating in stage two in late September 2014. If Accord is successful in achieving ISO 9001 accreditation this is significant recognition of the work that has been done to gain an internationally recognised Quality accreditation. In relation to our workforce, Accord has successfully negotiated a new Enterprise Agreement within Accommodation and is in the final phase of a new Enterprise Agreement within ACES. Significantly, this positions us with industrial certainty, as well as being a leader in the sector in ensuring our employees have appropriate wages and employment conditions.
Being Active about Community Engagement Operation Transformation R U OK? Profile Steven Williams A Much Better Place A Vision to Dream Fun and Laughter Human Dignity and Achieving Together
On the front cover is Holly Lockman Editor Marie Scholem/Aisling McCabe Production Aisling McCabe Printer Print Media Group
News from around Accord
Please email your story to aisling.mccabe@sjog.org.au with any news you have. Thank you. www.sjog.org.au/accord
Reflection “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” - Bill Keane Page 2
iAccord ISSUE | WINTER 2014
Making a difference in the community by Aisling McCabe, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
The Managers and Team Leaders working within our Shared Supported Accommodation services are strong advocates for client participation within the community. They maintain that clients engaged in the community bring about awareness that people with intellectual disabilities have the same rights as others to participate and contribute to their community. According to Accommodation Manager, Margaret Bishop, “Clients who participate in the community and in programs such as the Meals on Wheels are actively engaged, have fun, are with friends, make connections and contribute to others – all resulting in increased perception of self- worth.” “It’s so important that people with disability engage in programs within the community. It creates trust within the community and breaks down barriers. As an Accommodation Manager I continue to ensure each client has exposure and is well informed about community engagement,” says Margaret.
Bill, Owen and Nick at the MOW’s Kitchen
While Accord clients participate in a variety of activities across the organisation, a number of our clients volunteer their time to Meals on Wheels for elderly people as part of our ACES Eastern program. These particular clients live in Accord’s Shared Supported Accommodation and attend Accord’s ACES program during the day. With that in mind I recently ventured further east from our corporate office to meet Owen Edwards, Community Support Worker (CSW) who supports our clients who volunteer in the community Meals on Wheels program. Joining Owen, and four ACES Eastern clients, Bill Goy, Nick Wright, Ray Morley and Stephen Meyer for the day to explore the community that they participate in, was indeed a great opportunity to expereince them making a difference. Once we picked up the men it was clear that there are friendships between them all - they know each other well. As the men exchange conversation about their upcoming run, Owen tells me “they really look forward to this each week”. We drove to Yarra Ranges Shire Meals on Wheels kitchen to organise the deliveries for the day. You could hear the healthy banter in kitchen all the way from the van. The kitchen was certainly open for business with the banging of boxes, excited voices and kind gestures being exchanged with us all. The clients and Owen have a specific run. That day Nick Wright picked up the large food container from the kitchen while Owen signed the logbook: standard procedure to ensure everything goes smoothly. We started our 20-kilometre drive, meandering through some lovely Victorian landscape. The elderly people we were delivering to live between Coldstream and Lilydale. Owen knows the landscape very well and enjoys his weekly run with the clients. He told me “that each client benefits from volunteering their time to Meals on Wheels. It’s positive all around, for both the clients and elderly recipients.” We continued to loop through streets and head to homes often pulling into driveways where Nick, Bill and Owen deliver the meals. Despite Stephen Myers mobility being limited, “he enjoys dishing out the delivery instructions as he’s my co-pilot,” says Owen.
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Bill Goy delivering a meal to an elderly client
iAccord ISSUE | WINTER 2014
Every Thursday our clients hand over healthy lunches to elderly people living on their own. Of course there are lots of smiles on both sides of the door as they chat about the weather then say goodbye until next week. There is also is a lot of understanding exchanged at that front door. For some people, sadly, they may not see another person for several days. One such lovely elderly lady spent several minutes with us as she shared a joke with Bill over footy. When we finished our deliveries, we returned to the Yarra Ranges Shire kitchens with an empty esky. It was here that Owen, Nick and Bill said their goodbyes until next week. For five and half years, Owen and the clients have been volunteering for Meals on Wheels. The clients thoroughly enjoy giving their time, meeting and greeting the senior adults. It’s become a ritual that they now won’t miss. I did ask about the meals that were provided and I was told that all meals are nutritious. They consist of soup, a main-meal, dessert and a fruit juice. All meals are ordered from a menu and dietary requirements are always considered for each person. I was also told that Meals on Wheels started in the UK in the 1930s, and came to Australia in 1950. It’s a community effort allowing aging and incapacitated adults to have a decent meal and receive a friendly smile.
Nick Wright on Meals on Wheels duty
Being Active about Community Engagement by Nick Pouki, ACES Eastern Program Manager
Active community engagement is so much more than clients just accessing programs. As an organisation we support our clients in the community but we also educate our clients about advocacy for others. Having a disability should not prevent anyone from giving back to the community. The featured Meals on Wheels program has several advantages for both the wider community and our clients who participate. People often talk about being ‘in’ the community but that’s not the same as being ‘part’ of the community. As clients volunteer their time to the Meals on Wheels program, our service delivery values and mission is being spread through Margaret Gibson, Accommodation Manager, the broader locality. Being out in the community and delivering Nick Pouki, ACES Eastern Program Manager, meals, means that clients automatically build healthy interactions Margaret Bishop, Accommodation, with others working within the program and with the elderly. This Denise Leuschner, Accommodation Manager. All share a commitment to clients participating in the community. provides clients with a social purpose as well as a great sense of pride after the day’s work. When our clients are being supported in the community they are able to explore and connect with local groups in self-directed programs. This interaction allows clients to educate and spread awareness of the respect and dignity that people with disabilities deserve. In turn it provides people with disabilities to build respect for the others within the communities they come into contact with. Learning about one another is the key to opening up opportunities for people and supporting them to go beyond perceived limitations. The staff at ACES Eastern work hard to encourage our clients to be the best they can in their community - Meals on Wheels is a perfect example.
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iAccord ISSUE | WINTER 2014
Operation Transformation By Lisa McMahon, Commissioning and Planning Coordinator
The continued transformation of the St John of God Accord redevelopment at the Greensborough site is visible from my office window. The contractors, McCorkell, are moving at a furious pace to ensure their goal of completion is on track for the end of December 2014. Where works were delayed due to wind and rain, unforgiving mud piles certainly proved challenging for the contractors. However, it’s good to see how relentless they are in their pursuit of maintaining project timelines as we slowly move into spring. The hint of finer weather that’s around the corner will I expect, see the pace pick up even more. As we align ourselves with this rapid development, we at Accord are now working hard on what is essential to go inside the buildings. Consideration and serious thought must be given to furniture, fittings and equipment (FF&E). Our commitment to our clients and families is to provide a relevant and contemporary facility. It is imperative that the fit-out reflects quality, is practical, durable and functional whilst also meeting our high OH&S standards and complementing the environment. It has been quite some time since new FF&E has been purchased to support our program delivery at Greensborough. Any FF&E selected has to be purpose designed, just like the facility itself – to meet our clients’ needs and future expectations. At the moment we are at the stage of researching and pricing everything from ceramics kilns to teaspoons! However, when we all move across to the new building, we will be welcomed with a complete fit-out ready for occupation. There will be number of special amenities established as part of our FF&E, such as a dedicated open-air studio with undercover Barbeques. Our aim is to involve clients in decision making about creating their own space such as sensory gardening. Prior to occupying the building once and it has reached lock-up stage, we will arrange tours of the site. We envisage this to be around mid-November and early December. This will be an opportunity to witness the progress as the new building become a reality, and gain a better understanding of what the final picture will be. In the meantime, it’s business as usual, as we enjoy and watch with wonder as these buildings seemingly grow out of the ground.
Andrew Drysdale, Infrastructure Manager, Pieter Brook, Risk Manager
Lisa McMahon Commissioning & Planning Coordinator
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iAccord ISSUE | WINTER 2014
R U OK? by Anthony Stellar, Live Well, Work Well Champion
It was 12 months ago that Marie Scholem, Director of Organisational Development and Workforce announced Accord’s Mental Health Strategy. Accord’s Wellbeing Committees had agreed that RUOK? Day was a fitting program to launch the strategy. This proved to be the case with feedback from employees that the campaign raised awareness and did encourage conversations between work colleagues as to whether they were OK. The SJGHC Live Well, Work Well program has included RUOK? Day as an organisational-wide initiative in 2014 and Accord will again be participating. R U OK? Day is on 11 September. Awareness information and promotional items will be distributed to all Accord sites. The foundation on which R U OK? was established is to raise awareness so people can access support through a non-judgemental ear. Our organisational Vision speaks of having a reason to hope and a greater sense of dignity while our Mission speaks of promoting life to the full. Remember RUOK? is fully accessible at St John of God Accord.
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iAccord ISSUE | WINTER 2014
Steven Williams - A Day in the life of an Accommodation Manager by Aisling McCabe Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Steven Williams is an Accommodation Manager based in the north at Accord’s Greensborough site. Having worked within Accord’s Shared Supported Accommodation (SSA) services for over 15 years, Steve started as a Disability Support Worker (DSW) and then became a Team Leader at Forest Street SSA, where he was based for several years. Steve has learned the importance of shared supported accommodation for clients during his time at Forrest Street. While many clients desire independent living, for others it may Steven Williams be a natural step to move out of their family home. We know that living independently builds confidence and autonomy, but it can more importantly teach us how to live in harmony with each other. Each house accommodates up to five clients living together. Each person has their own bedroom that they furnish to their own taste. Some walls are adorned with footie pictures, some with music idols - but really it’s what the client is passionate about that matters. The rest of the house is usually a hub of activity with the kitchen and lounge room taking centre stage. “Like all people living together, whether its family or shared supported accommodation, there has to be compromises made in order to have a happy home”, notes Steve. “Of course there are those with stronger needs and wants than others, but by implementing good structured plans around the needs of the clients, it generally leads to positive outcomes for all”, says Steve. “Spending time in the homes of clients, you become acutely aware of what life is like for people living with disability. Our role is to support, encourage, to assist clients establish their goals and functional independence. We implement positive behaviour support plans when necessary. We work in tandem with families to ensure clients have the best support possible. Each client is unique,” says Steve. Most clients living in supported accommodation access activities during the day, either at a day service, active community engagement or individual support. Subsequently, clients are up early on weekdays, with each person supported by our team to make their own breakfast, get dressed, and pack their lunches - common rituals like in most homes.
Mike Casey & Steven Williams
Being promoted to Accommodation Manager was a natural step for Steve. He possesses a calm and balanced manner, simply acquired from years of experience. Now managing six shared supported accommodation houses, plus staffing of Accord Team Leaders (TL’s) and Disability Support Workers (DSWs), he understands what is expected of him and his teams around him to run efficient happy homes for clients.
Steve is a big believer in trust and that you need to trust yourself to be able to trust others. He’ll tell you that no two situations are the same where clients live together. Steve is keen to say “when Disability Support Workers approach me with fresh ideas to bring about positive change, I take their ideas very seriously, and I will implement those measures to bring about a positive outcome”. “I have no hesitation in bouncing ideas off my colleagues - having different opinions helps me challenge my managing style. I don’t want to be complacent or just following one path. Diversity is important in my role and given the nature of what we all do here, you need to be open minded”, says Steve.
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As we’re in conversation in Steve’s office in Greensborough, his phones rings and he takes the call. He needed to deal with a situation there and then. Again, he says’ “it’s the nature of what we do here”. As the houses that Steve manage are spread over the Northern area, getting answers for Team Leaders and Disability Support Workers needs to be time sensitive with current information to keep operations running smoothly. I ask him about the picture on the wall that is of him, “it was painted by a client some time ago, and I have it here to remind me of what great talents our clients have” says Steve. “I’m looking forward to the future here” says Steve, “Accord is growing from strength to strength. The new facilities at Greensborough will offer new opportunities for clients to develop and activities to participate in.” “Working with Silvana Gugliandolo, Director of Service Delivery allows me to be the manager I am, I can call on her expertise anytime. Her ability to guide us all in the right direction is fundamental to the overall success of how we work.” Says Steve.
A much better place By Aisling McCabe Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Mike Casey lives in one of our Shared Supported Accommodation homes in the Greensborough region managed by Steven Williams at Accord Mike has an intellectual disability and in the past experienced way more than his fair share of negativity. Steven Williams, Accommodation Manager, Mike Casey, Jodie Kirkpatrick, Team Leader He experienced significant adversity before coming to live in his Accord’s Shared Supported Accommodation (SSA) setting. To ensure Mike experienced a smooth transition to his new home at St John of God Accord Forest Street SSA, Steve and Team Leader Jodie Kirkpatrick ensured that appropriate planning was implemented. On meeting Mike, Steven instinctively knew that by introducing Mike to an environment that met his needs and wants, along with a Positive Behaviour Support plan, Mike’s demeanour and his world around him would change. As Steve and the team had hoped, their approach did change Mike, and he’s is in a much better place in his life - he knows that too. Moving forward and well established in his SAA home, Mike has aspirations and goals firmly in place. Knowing the belief that Steve and the Forest Street team have in him and the use of positive behaviour support, allows Mike to reach his full potential.
Just then his phone rings again, he answers it and calmly tells me he needs to go to support a Team Leader. Another day in the life of Accommodation.
Steven Williams asked me to come to Forest Street, to visit Mike Casey, so I did. My first impression is the homely relaxed atmosphere. This is home to Mike, Andrew, Jim and Rebecca. Mike – a young adult with a broad smile and infectious laugh, greeted us as we came through the front door.
Mike Casey
Clearly delighted to see Steve and me, Mike invited us into his home and to see his new laptop in his bedroom. Dominated by electronics, Mike’s bedroom is his sanctuary - he didn’t have a bedroom of his own before coming to Forest Street. We talked a little about his new laptop and then made our way to the kitchen. Just as we were all about to sit at the kitchen table, Mike suggested we sit out on the deck as the sun was shining. We took our seats, and the sun was indeed shining. So beautifully in fact that Mike borrowed my camera to take a picture of the sun through the trees. Mike openly talked about his girlfriend, whom he met at his day service program and shared his aspiration for their future. Page 8
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There is no doubt that Mike is financially prudent. By saving hard he recently bought a TV recorder to record some of his favourite TV programs, so he can watch them again. Mike loves the TV show ‘Under the Dome’ - he knows every character in the show and that it’s an adaptation from the Stephen King book. He also vented his frustration at how the TV channel is now showing the program at a later time slot. However he did concede he’s very lucky to have his recorder. Sci-fi is clearly his thing! He’s now saving hard for an X-Box, and an X-Box game called Halo 3. Mike talked about his favourite Wii games that Santa brought him, his favourites being Scooby Doo and Shrek 3. Sitting listening to him, Mike struck me as an individual who when he puts his mind to doing something, does it. It’s clear that Mike has self-assurance and is very happy in his SSA home. He’s very calm and comfortable in his surroundings. Mike joked about his housemates and the fun they have together. By all accounts there’s lots of healthy banter between them all. He just beamed as he continued to share his stories. Hearing about Mike’s life and seeing his very positive reaction to Steve the manager and Jodie, Dan, Sash, William and Craig his support team, was affirming.
A Vision to Dream By Jodie Kirkpatrick, Team Leader
Mike Casey was just 18 years old when he moved into his Shared Supported Accommodation home at Forest Street. Once Mike settled in to his new home and positive relationships were established, we discussed his goals as part of his overall plan. His transition to Forest Street was very positive due to Mike’s attitude, the dedicated Accord team around him and strong support plans that were implemented. It became very clear to us that Mike had vision and aspirations. First, he wanted to graduate from High School. Mike did graduate, and it was a huge honour for me to attend his graduation. I cheered and cheered for him and I felt so grateful to be part of such a momentous milestone in his life. The next step for Mike was transitioning into day services. Mike and I searched together to secure a day placement that best suited his needs and expectations. Mike soon found a variety of programs to participate in, such as gardening, and often brought home delicious fruits and veggies for the house that he had helped plant and grow. Other programs that Mike enjoyed were computers, cooking and being in active community engagement. It was obvious that he liked versatility.
That year Santa brought Mike a Wii, something he had been asking for. Mike played his Wii from dusk until dawn that Christmas day. I AM THE WIND I am the Wind and I whisper to you, To tell you the tale of how I blow through, the Valleys and tree tops and rocky mountains on high And how I can travel, far up in the sky. I have so much fun as I travel around, I’m playful, I’m joyful, I chase leaves along the ground. I run my fingers gently through people’s hair And as I caress their faces, they’re not even aware, That it’s me, a friend, that cannot be seen, That is and was and has always been. Some times I get a little grumpy to And it’s then that I do growl at you. You may hear me howling when my force is a gale, And I shout to the Moon and I tell her my tale, For it saddens me so, some of the things I do see, As I travel the world, but I must let them be. For I am just an observer, I just tell a tale,
Mike Casey
I admire Mike and felt privileged to spend his first Christmas morning with him at Forest Street, to see his eyes light up, his face smiling and to hear the excitement in his voice telling me that “Santa had been” - this was truly something I will treasure forever. Page 9
But it is you that I howl to When my force is a gale.
By Julie Reynolds
iAccord ISSUE | WINTER 2014
‘Fun and Laughter’ was the theme of the night By Heather Mates, Manager, Planning and Employment Services
Robert Dobin Opportunity Shop Manager, and I were handed the challenge of raising funds to contribute to a new social enterprise we’re building to provide employment for young people with a disability. Well, we did it! We raised almost $2,000. After brainstorming ideas and having a conversation with SLAMS Musical Theatre Company in Knox, we decided to run a theatre night and sell tickets to a show. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee production proved to be a great success. As friends, families and colleagues came to support the event, Robert and I breathed a sigh of relief to see so many seats filled. Audience participation during the show proved to be a lot of fun! There was rapturous applause when Andrew Drysdale, Dan Maloney, Shannon Morgan and Eamonn Hollamby were called to the stage to join in the fun of spelling. The show was a great success with everyone enjoying its music and the laughter. I’m delighted to say we now have quite a few converts to musical theatre. The silent auction that was held during the evening brought out people’s competitive spirit, with several people getting into bidding wars. All items that were donated to the auction were sold. Thanks to everyone who came along on the night. Your support and contribution will benefit the clients of St John of God Accord in our social enterprise venture. We would like to thank David Woods and the SLAMS theatre group for generously donating their time towards assisting with our fundraising event. We also extend our thanks to the following organisations for donating items to the silent auction: ADCO; The Good Guys (Thomastown); Good Housekeeping (Greensborough); De Ja Vu Homewares; (Greensborough); Samsung; and Innovation Factory.
Human Dignity and Achieving Together By Jim Curtain Director of Mission
As the Director of Mission, one of my undertakings is to run Mission Formation Days at Accord. In this context ‘formation’ is about development and understanding of our Mission and its relevance in the work we do at Accord. Mission Formation Days are held throughout the year and all employees are invited to participate at some stage during their employment with Accord. This allows our employees an opportunity to discuss the work they do, highlight the importance of personal development, revisit our Mission, and explore Accord’s Achieving Together relational model. At the Holy Cross Centre in Templestowe, it’s a perfect venue to allow each person his or her freedom of expression. It’s very positive to hear how Accord employees have acknowledged the organisation’s Achieving Together model whilst interacting with clients and each other. The value of Human Dignity, one of the Catholic Social Teaching principles that underpin Achieving Together, is very much at the forefront of people’s thoughts and actions. Each person expresses Human Dignity in different ways when supporting clients and working with their colleagues. The Mission Formation Days provide a platform for everyone to share stories and learn from each other. In religious terms, Catholic Social Teaching describes Human Dignity as each person being equal in the eyes of God. Each person who attends the Mission Formation Day becomes aware that the work they do provides an environment supportive of a holistic approach that encompasses the physical, spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions of being human. All too often we’re bombarded with negative stories about human beings being persecuted due to their religious faith, their sexuality, ethnic background, and or by having an intellectual disability. The principle of ‘Human Dignity’ reminds us that every person has their own story and their own abilities. Every person has the right to be respectfully heard and to exercise their individual abilities for their own good – this supports and builds humankind.
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iAccord ISSUE | WINTER 2014
Accord Corporate News
We welcome back Natalie Koehler from Maternity leave, and congratulate her and Claude Staubon (also from Accord) on the birth of their son Wil. (Seen here with his older sister Madison).
Congratulations to Chloe McMahon-Swift on the recent birth of her son Sebastian Jay. He was born at the Mercy Hospital on 20 June 2014. Chloe is an ACES Northern support worker and Sebastian’s Grandmother Lisa McMahon, the Commissioning and Planning Coordinator for the SJGA redevelopment, told us Chloe and Sebastian are doing very well.
Farewell to Andrew Drysdale who is leaving Accord after six years. His role as Infrastructure Manager at Accord was instrumental in bringing positive change to the organisation. He joined St John of God Health Care Inc over nine years ago and will be missed by us all. We wish him well in future.
My 50th birthday by Bruce Ray Marsden “My Mum and Dad suggested that they would like to give me a 50th birthday party. So together we worked out who would come. I said I would like my friends Andrew and Heather Taylor to come. Andrew was a Police Officer but now he is an Ambulance driver. Heather works as a part time teacher. I wanted to invite Ian Rockford because he would make my party alive. He also has Asperger’s. Donna Smith, Manfred Weslie, Jay Russell and Albi Wilson from EACH all came to my birthday. Many of my friends from Saint John of God came along with my family, brothers Keith and Andrew also my sister-in-law and two nieces Alison and Zoe. Manfred took lots of photos and I played my Boy George CD ‘Culture Club’. Also I handed out some of my articles. I spoke to everyone there and got lots of good presents. I got lots of gift cards so I could buy what I liked. There was lots of fruit punch, soft drinks and food. Mum did a really good job with the food and mum also made me a really big birthday cake with Happy Birthday Bruce 50.” Page 11
Bruce Marsden
iAccord ISSUE | WINTER 2014
Corporate Services Shop 24, Ringwood Square Shopping Centre, 59-65 Maroondah Highway (Enter via Charter Street) PO Box 528, Ringwood Vic. 3134 T (Reception) +61 3 8804 4600 | F +61 3 8804 4690
Š September 2014