Welcome back to you all, I hope you had a fantastic and relaxing Christmas and New Year. No doubt many of you had a break and have been able to recharge for the year ahead.

I am really looking forward to further progressing a number of initiatives across Activ in 2015. These include becoming even better with our person centred approach and using our new ActivLink system more fully.During the year we will transition more families into the NDIS My Way trial in the Lower Great Southern region, as well as the NDIS Hills trial region. Both these trials are now well under way and a third trial will commence on 1 July 2015 for the NDIS My Way Cockburn Kwinana region.In the meantime, I know that all of you will continue to deliver your excellent services across the rest of WA.Since December we have been recognising Activ staff who have exhibited our value, Share a Passion for People.

The value recognition program has been a great success, with a number of fantastic staff members recognised for living our values every day. I hope you enjoy reading about them in our new values section of Inside Activ, which will highlight inspiring stories of our staff each month. Remember, when you recognise someone, to also copy the card and either place it in one of the feedback boxes, or email it to activ8@activ.asn.au. This will allow the person to not only be recognised by you, but also by all of Activ. In February, we will launch the next of our values, Create Together, and I look forward to seeing and hearing about how Activ staff are living this value in the work they do.We have an exciting year ahead, and I encourage you all to work together in your teams towards Activ’s purpose of enabling people living with disability to pursue a better life. Stay safeTony Vis, CEO

From Tony’s Desk

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie The staff and customers at Activ Kellerberrin put together a great new window display to celebrate Australia Day this month.

The display celebrates everything great about Australia and includes the Australian flag, beach balls, an eski, a sandpit, umbrella and even a blow-up shark!

“We are also including the local community, asking them to join in by contributing items they feel are Aussiefied,” Team Leader Dawn Harvey explains.

“The display is a fantastic drawcard, with great discussions and laughs on the pavement outside the shop. Everyone loved it!”

insideinside

Inside Activ | JANUARY 2015

Dulux paints, in conjunction with Eaton Home Hardware, joined forces over Christmas to help transform Activ Business Services in Bunbury.

The two local businesses donated paint to makeover the canteen of the Bunbury Business Services site, which employs more than 50 Activ employees.

Activ Bunbury Business Services Manager, Simon Thorpe, says the donation will really help make a difference to the Bunbury employees “There’s no denying the improvement a coat of paint can make, and we’re so thankful to Dulux and Eaton Home Hardware for donating the supplies which will help make our canteen look brand new for our employees.”

Activ staff and Dulux South West representative, Sandra Morgan, all pitched in and lent a hand.

“Christmas was a time for giving, and we are so thankful to local business for supporting Activ and our role in the community,” Mr Thorpe said.

Local businesses join forces to brighten up Activ Bunbury

Chevron City to Surf for Activ 2015Looking for some training motivation to burn off the Christmas kilos? Registrations for Activ’s largest fundraiser, The Chevron City to Surf for Activ are now open. Start your training now and sign up today to get fit, while raising money for Activ at the same time.

Entry is free for all staff who take part and family members recieve a 10% off for family members. All money raised from the City to Surf helps Activ support people living with disability to pursue a better life.

For more information or to register visit www.perthcitytosurf.com.au

For your diary

4 February

Accommodation and Community Expo for People Living with Disability

Midland Sports Complex Patterson Drive, Middle Swan

For more information phone 9387 0555

6 February

Accommodation and Community Expo for People Living with Disability

Herb Graham Recreation Centre 38 Ashbury Crescent, Mirrabooka

For more information phone 9387 0555

27 March

20th Anniversary Dragonfly Charity Golf Day

Hillview Public Golf Course 350 Kalamunda Road, Maida Vale

For more information phone 9387 0555

2 • I N S I D E A C T I V our stories

Call for applications for grants under the central and southern suburb branches

Eligibility for the Grant is limited to:

• Individuals with developmental disability;• Group applications for the welfare of people

with developmental disability generally; and• Representatives of people with

developmental disability.The following are not eligible:

• Staff requirements or development.• Family needs not directly related to the needs

of a family member with developmental disability.

• Items or things that Activ Foundation or another organisation or source should provide.

• Grants for educational purposes.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of:

• Merit (considering the foregoing limiting criteria);

• Specific benefit to the individual with developmental disability; and

• General benefit to a group of people with developmental disability.

Examples of grants given in recent years are:

• A quarter hour watch for a person unable to comprehend time except as “time passing”.

• Development of individualised picture cards for a group of individuals to assist them better express themselves.

• Provision of special harnesses in vehicles to allow the safe transport of a person to participate in People, Skills and Community.

Application forms are available from:

Executive Officer , Activ Foundation Inc.

Please call 9387 0453 or email us at executive.officer@activ.asn.au

Applications/nominations close at 4.00pm on Friday, 22 May 2015.

Since the closure of the central and southern suburbs branches of Activ Foundation, residual funds held by these groups have be quarantined and the annual interest earned is made available as ‘Special Assistance Grants’ for the development and general welfare of people with developmental disability.

It is anticipated that available funds for this will be in the vicinity of $5,000. Activ’s Honorary Life Governors will assess applications for 2015 Special Assistance Grants at their annual meeting.

A B E T T E R L I F E • 3 grantsour stories

Passion for People Day at Rockingham Business Services

Rockingham Business Services celebrated Activ’s first value, Share a Passion for People, in December with their inaugural pampering day.

The event, designed especially for textile workers, recognised the staff for their hard work throughout the year.

“Our workers have limited down time, so this was a great opportunity to thank the staff and celebrate their passion for their jobs and the people they work with” Employee Coordinator Judith Oskam explains.

Staff shared the experience of giving and receiving beauty treatments throughout the day for the ultimate pampering experience.

Judith continues “We showed the staff how to perform manicures, pedicures and scalp massages on each other, so that every person got to experience the full pampering package. It was a great day!

Activ Esperance Shares a Passion for PeopleActiv Esperance showed their passion for people at the end of December with a special Christmas Party. Customers, staff and families from Activ Individualised Services, People Skills and Community, Accommodation, Business Services and Home and Community Care were all invited to enjoy the festivities.

More than 80 people attended, including a special visit from Mickey Mouse. Every person who attended was given a gift and there was plenty of dancing, laughing, eating and heaps of fun. It was a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate the passion they share for their jobs, and the people they work with.

Share a

Passion

for people

Value

4 • I N S I D E A C T I V

Share a passion for people

Brian and Thelma’s special bond shows a Passion for People

Brian Walker and Thelma Vigar share a special relationship. As Brian’s carer for more than seven years, Thelma knows everything about Brian. Their connection is undeniable.

“I would be lost without her and I feel that she knows my son better than I do. She is very professional and compassionate. You only have to see Brian and Thelma together to see their mutual affection, caring and friendship,” said Brian’s mother Leonie Walker.

Thelma originally began working with Brian as a host parent, and together they developed a strong bond, attending events, taking part in activities and exploring the local area. During a period of medication problems, Brian exhibited some aggressive behaviour and injured Thelma as a result.

When she was declared fit to return to work, she was not allowed to resume her duties with Brian. This was a huge blow to both Thelma and Brian, and she continued to fight to be allowed to work with him again.

“When I was injured I was nervous, but I wasn’t scared of Brian,” Thelma said.

“I knew it wasn’t his fault and I understood what he was going through. He really is a quiet and gentle man and is even fondly known as the ‘gentle giant’. It’s just a matter of getting it right for Brian and I am determined to see that happen.”

I early 2013, when Brian’s accommodation support completely broke down, Thelma continued to travel to Bunbury to visit Brian at his respite home. She was a constant advocate for Brian, even when he was moved to a respite home far away from his family and friends.

Thelma was instrumental in working with Brian’s family and friends to establish Team Brian, who after much lobbying, saw Brian return home in January of 2014.

Leonie describes Thelma as influential in bringing Brian back home to his family.

“Thelma was the first person to put her hand up to go back to work with Brian. She helped us work out a shift rotation so that staff wouldn’t burn out. She has been the lynch-pin in training staff, organising shifts and filling in where there is a gap in support.”

As we celebrate our first value, Share a Passion for People, Thelma’s commitment and passion is a shining example of our values.

“We trust Thelma with the most treasured person in our lives,” Leonie said. “She has never let us or Brian down.”

Thelma is a staff member employed by Brian as part of our Activ Individualised Services (AIS) model.

A B E T T E R L I F E • 5 Share a passion for people

I’ve noticed you nominations

Here are some of the standout nominations for this month’s value: Share a Passion for People. Activ Payroll Team – Thankyou for your commitment to, and passion for, all Activ staff in ensuring everyone receives their pay every fortnight. Without you, Activ just would not function. Your willingness to miss the Christmas Party so we all got paid is evidence of your passion – Best Wishes, Tony Vis Activ CEO

Jonathan Doss – I have always noticed you sharing a passion for people by noticing people’s achievements and milestones such as birthday’s etc. You offer to drive people home when they are sick and you are a really good friend to all your colleagues. Most recently you have agreed to take on a lot more responsibility by adding Service Improvement to your mix of divisions and you are working very hard to quickly find solutions for our NDIS customers – Thankyou, Margareta Pooley, Divisional Finance Manger

Jenna Saunders – Your consistent efforts in supporting customers to find the right options for them balanced with meeting Activ’s needs is commendable. You go over and above ensuring all avenues and options are considered. Not only noticed by myself, feedback I receive from others for you is great. Well done! – Amanda Lovelock, Manager Service Development

Craig Bayliss – This card is in recognition for showing commitment to the value ‘Share a Passion for People.’ Your generosity in opening your home and allowing a supported employee to enjoy Christmas with you and your family was not only ‘above and beyond’ the call of duty but displayed your case and concern for employees. While we appreciate you did this without any recognition, it is important you know how much your commitment to employees is appreciated. Thankyou Craig – Dale Ford, Employee Coordinator, Activ Property Care.

To read more nominations, visit the Activ8 Values page on Alfie, located under the ‘Communities’ Tab.

Value Share a passion for people

CreateTogether

Activ’s next Value is Create Together We are excited to launch the next value, Create Together, at the beginning of February. Managers will be running kick-off activities with their teams to launch the next value. Don’t forget to complete the ‘I’ve noticed you’ cards and put them in the feedback boxes or email through to activ8@activ.asn.au.

Celebrating the ValuesHere’s a few ways in which we celebrated “Share a Passion for People”

Community Relations and Marketing Team

celebrating Share a Passion for People

Share a Passion for people

A B E T T E R L I F E • 7 Share a passion for people

8 • I N S I D E A C T I V fee schedule

Activ Fee Schedule *No GST is applicable to these services if they are provided to and paid for by the clients directly.

Fees are valid between 01 January 2015 - 31 March 2015.