Music sensation Tanya George co-hosts Afford’s Got Talent to mark Afford’s 70th year of supporting Australians with disability

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Celebrating 70 years of supporting people with disability, Afford (Australian Foundation for Disability) will host its popular Afford's Got Talent event online this year, with music superstar and TV personality Tanya George joining as co-host of the 1950s themed extravaganza. 

On 28th October, Afford Day Programs participants, Supported Accommodation residents, Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) supported employees, and SLES trainees from across the country will jump online to showcase their singing, dancing, and performance talents. The staging of Afford's Got Talent is set to deliver a positive lift for wellbeing following months of COVID-related disruptions.

Tanya George's music has inspired and entertained many Afford participants with her blend of soul, jazz, and pop vocals. Her messages of breaking down barriers and being who you want to be, resonate with people of all abilities.

As co-host of the virtual Afford's Got Talent event this year, Tanya will perform her self-produced single 'Welcome', which featured as part of the Melbourne Music Week and Metro Tunnel Project' Home Made Sound' initiative. Throughout the event, Tanya will introduce performers and facilitate entertaining activities for attendees. In addition, Tanya will lead all Afford's Got Talent participants in a sing-along as the finale for the landmark event. 

Afford's Got Talent encourages social connection and self-expression and comes at a time when COVID-related lockdowns and restrictions have challenged the mental wellbeing of many people with disability.[1]

"This year marks a milestone for Afford as we celebrate 70 years supporting Australians living with disability," said Cristina Alvarez, National Executive Manager Events, Business Dev & Specialist Services. "We are supporting our community to participate in activities that we all know and love to connect with friends and share our talents."

"The past 12 months have been challenging with disruptions to community activities, events and everyday routines. However, this year's Afford's Got Talent online showcase gives everyone the chance to participate from their Day Program or their living room, and no matter how COVID may impact their community."

"By hosting Afford's Got Talent, we are humbled to play a small but important role in supporting the wellbeing of the unique individuals that make up Afford's community and provide choice and opportunity for every person to get involved in the things they love."

Now in its 70th year, Afford is proud to be delivering meaningful services and supports across NSW, QLD, VIC, SA and WA for more than 6,000 people with disability and their families every day. 

Afford's Got Talent will showcase a range of performances this year with participants in Kings Park, Chipping Norton, Campbelltown, Guildford, Blacktown, and Canley Vale in NSW and from Pakenham in VIC. In QLD, participants in Beenleigh and Southport will perform, and SA will have participants in Holden Hill and Morphett Vale.

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 work, home, and life goals 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] https://library.bsl.org.au/jspui/bitstream/1/11970/1/BSL_COVID-19_Insights_Disability_May2020.pdf