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Afford introduces new support service as COVID-19 restrictions continue to challenge the mental wellbeing of Australians with disability

Announcement posted by Afford (the Australian Foundation for Disability) 20 Jul 2021

COVID-19 induced community restrictions continue to challenge the mental wellbeing of people with disability, who already face higher levels of psychological distress and social isolation.[1] Today, not-for-profit disability provider, Afford has introduced a new person-centred Recovery Coaching service to support individuals with psychosocial disability to achieve meaningful outcomes under the NDIS.

 

Around one million Australians live with psychosocial disability,[2] which typically impacts a person's ability to be part of specific environments, cope with time pressures or multiple tasks, interact with others or manage stress.[3]

 

Afford's (Australian Foundation for Disability) new Recovery Coaching service aims to ease a person's anxiety about navigating the NDIS by helping them manage complex health, education, or housing challenges.

 

Facilitated by Support Coordinators or Recovery Coaches who are equipped to provide a higher level of standard support coordination, the service helps individuals identify their strengths, personal abilities and aspirations to then build an effective management plan. 

 

Julio Cevallos, National Manager for Support Coordination at Afford, says the Recovery Coaching service is offered in a one-on-one environment. Individuals work collaboratively with their recovery coach to improve their wellbeing. 

 

"This service will make a difference to the lives of our clients. We help them see the qualities they already have and how they can use them in their day to day lives," said Julio Cevallos. 

 

Recovery-oriented practice acknowledges that recovery is not necessarily about a cure but instead assisting people in living a full and meaningful life. It is a strength-based approach underpinned by respectful relationships and the understanding that everyone's journey is different. 

 

"Recovery coaches take a holistic approach to support. They work with individuals to address their unique needs for work, home and day to day life. It's about understanding what matters most to each individual to help them live the life they want."

 

The Recovery Coaching service is NDIS funded and coaches work in partnership and collaborate with clinical mental health services to achieve a positive outcome for clients. 

 

"Recovery Coaching expands our scope and ability to assist a broader range of client needs. We can provide a service specifically for those with mental health needs and support them to achieve their goals for home, work and life under the NDIS," said Julio. 

 

Afford is a registered charity and has been operating in Australia for 70 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.

 

For more information, visit www.afford.com.au or call 1300 233 673.

 

ENDS

 

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact Crema PR:

Maria Crema – maria@cremapr.com.au – 0402 239 929 

 

About Afford - www.afford.com.au

Afford is a registered charity providing disability services to thousands to over 4000 people and families across Australia. Afford supports people of all abilities achieve their goals for home, work, and life under the NDIS. The not-for-profit has championed choice, respect and opportunity for people of all abilities for 70 years. The supports provided by Afford include Supported Accommodation, Short-Term Accommodation, Social and Community Programs; SLES (School Leaver Employment Support) service, Carer Support, Disability Employment Services (DES), Supported Employment in Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE); Allied Health Support, Support Coordination, supported holidays (Afford Getaways) and healthy lifestyle activities and outings (Club Afford).

 

 


 

[1] http://library.bsl.org.au/jspui/bitstream/1/11970/1/BSL_COVID-19_Insights_Disability_May2020.pdf

[2] https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/psychosocial-disability#:~:text=Data%20downloads-,Key%20statistics,38.8%25%20had%20a%20profound%20limitation

[3]https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/psychosocial/foundations/Pages/psychosocial-whatis.aspx