Afford Jamisontown Day Program Brings Much-Loved Activities to Life On-Site for Stimulation and Enjoyment

Community access restrictions across the country have challenged many disability providers to adapt the delivery of supports. 

Faced with more time on-site, disability services like Afford's Jamisontown Day Program in the Penrith region, are taking a fresh approach to supports. The site is incorporating new, meaningful, and stimulating experiences for all who access the service during isolation.

Afford (The Australian Foundation for Disability) is a leading disability provider that has successfully adapted to the change in operating environments by establishing new initiatives to ensure continuity of disability supports for all Australians. 

The organisation credits much of its success to frontline staff. Afford go above and beyond to provide individualised supports on-site to engage clients in meaningful activities during isolation.

Team Leader, Leonie Pearson, and her team at Jamisontown Day Program, led by Lisa Chantler, have worked hard to replicate many popular outings and activities at their day program. Activities incorporate skill development, as well as entertainment and fun for continued client engagement.

“Visiting the library was a weekly excursion for our clients before COVID-19 restrictions came into effect. Activities that encourage literacy and mental stimulation support client development and wellbeing, so we created an outdoor reading area on-site. We read books just like we're at the library,” said Leonie Pearson, Team Leader at Jamisontown Day Program.

Before COVID-19 restrictions, Jamisontown clients enjoyed a weekly sailing program as well as lunch outings to the local pub or club. Leonie and Lisa brought these much-loved experiences to life on-site for all to enjoy in the comfort of their day program.

“Going out for lunch is a cherished experience for our clients. They can engage with others and practice skills for everyday life. They build their confidence by ordering food for lunch and paying for it with their own money,” Leonie explained.

“To replicate the eating out experience on-site, we transformed our Afford van into a temporary food truck with a menu and tickets for customer orders. Clients developed their communication skills and were excited to participate.”

Leonie and Lisa integrate a variety of engaging activities on-site for Jamisontown Day Program clients, including cruise days, a pen-pal club, sensory gardening and treasure hunts. All activities support skills development and help clients maintain a happy and healthy mindset.

Afford has also established Afford TeleCare to deliver disability supports to individuals across Australia via an innovative, contact-free and virtual solution. 

Via Afford TeleCare, individuals benefit from continued access to essential care from allied health professionals for overall health and mental wellbeing.

Afford TeleCare connects individuals to professionals across a range of services including, but not limited to, psychology, occupational therapy, emotional regulations, and speech pathology on a virtual platform to develop routines and explore meaningful activities during isolation. 

“Afford TeleCare changes the way disability supports are delivered. The virtual platform gives people access to regular allied health supports from the comfort of their home. Afford uses various forms of technology to provide remote, contact-free care so that individuals receive continued health management throughout the current isolation and social distancing measures,” said Afford CEO, Steven Herald.

Afford TeleCare is available for existing and new clients who wish to access these services. Afford is committed to developing new methods of delivering disability supports so that every person living with disability has the opportunity to achieve their goals and feel assisted during COVID-19 under the NDIS.

Watch this video to find out more about Afford TeleCare: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGs6bZcZlhg.

Afford is a registered charity and has been operating in Australia for 68 years, providing a range of disability supports to thousands of people every day.

As one of Australia’s longest-serving not-for-profit disability organisations, Afford supports individuals to achieve their goals for work, home and life under the NDIS. 

More information:

• Afford TeleCare - email telecare@afford.com.au or call1300 379 308. 
• Afford - visit www.afford.com.au or call 1300 233 673.

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Media Contact: Maria Crema: Crema PR m 0402 239 929 e maria@cremapr.com.au

About Afford - www.afford.com.au

The Australian Foundation for Disability is a registered charity providing disability services to thousands of people across Australia. The supports provided by Afford include Shared Living; Overnight Respite; Social and Community Programs; Transition to Work Programs; Transition to Retirement Programs; Carer Support; Disability Employment Services; Supported Employment; Allied Health Support, Support Coordination and Supported Holidays.