The Importance of Small Business Wellness Coaches
Running a small business can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges and stress. This is especially true for small business owners who have been affected by natural disasters, such as flooding. Recognizing the impact that these events can have on the mental health and well-being of small business owners, the Albanian and Palaszczuk governments have launched a program to provide support and assistance through small business wellness coaches.
The Role of Small Business Wellness Coaches
The newly appointed small business wellness coaches will work directly with flood-affected small business owners in Greater Brisbane, Gympie, and Ipswich. Their role is to help these business owners reduce stress, overcome challenges, and improve their mental health and well-being. The coaches will provide personalized support and guidance, helping business owners navigate financial support programs and take action to address issues affecting their mental health. This assistance is crucial for the long-term recovery and resilience of small businesses in these areas.
The Impact of Flooding on Mental Health
Flooding not only affects the physical infrastructure of businesses but also takes a toll on the mental infrastructure of those affected. The psychological impact of natural disasters can be invisible and can cause ongoing problems in the months and years after the event. Small business owners may experience increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression as they face the challenges of rebuilding their businesses and dealing with financial burdens.
The appointment of small business wellness coaches acknowledges the importance of addressing the mental health and well-being of small business owners in the recovery process. These coaches provide a much-needed lifeline for those struggling after the floods, offering support, guidance, and practical solutions to help them get back on their feet.
The Resilience of Queensland Businesses
Queenslanders are no strangers to natural disasters, and they understand the resilience required to recover and rebuild. The Queensland Government has demonstrated its commitment to supporting small businesses through initiatives like the Small Business Wellness Package, which includes the appointment of small business wellness coaches.
In addition to the newly appointed coaches, there are already six wellness coaches in the network who have been providing support to small businesses across Queensland since 2022. These coaches, along with over 20 small business and rural financial advisers, form a comprehensive support system for business owners in the state.
The Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Package
The Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Package, funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Agreements (DRFA), is a comprehensive program designed to address the medium and long-term recovery and resilience activities for small businesses affected by the 2022 Queensland floods.
Key components of the package include:
- $10 million for the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program to undertake flood recovery projects
- $2.5 million for local economic recovery grants to affected local councils
- $2 million for Small Business Support Services, including the appointment of three business support managers and the additional small business wellness coaches
These initiatives aim to provide financial support, resources, and guidance to small businesses affected by the floods, helping them recover, rebuild, and thrive in the long term.
The Impact of Small Business Wellness Coaches
The appointment of three new small business wellness coaches in the flood-affected areas of Greater Brisbane, Gympie, and Ipswich will have a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of small business owners. By providing personalized support and guidance, these coaches will empower business owners to navigate the complex landscape of financial support programs, address business-related stress, and take action to improve their mental health.
Through their dedication and commitment, the existing wellness coaches have already made a remarkable difference in the lives of small business owners. The new appointments further reinforce the government’s efforts to support their valuable work and ensure that more regions can benefit from their expertise.
Quotes from Government Officials
The Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, commended the work of the existing trainers and highlighted the importance of the new appointments:
“Small business owners in Gympie, Greater Brisbane, and Ipswich affected by the South East Queensland flood in February 2022 will benefit from the appointment of the new Small Business Wellness Coaches. Natural disasters have an impact on the mental health and well-being of those affected, and addressing that is a key step for long-term recovery. This program will help those most affected continue their recovery journey so they can get back to doing business and creating the positive results that come from that.”
– Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt
The Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development, and Minister for Juvenile Justice, Di Farmer, emphasized the significance of addressing the mental health impact of natural disasters:
“Queenslanders have faced their share of natural disasters and know that when flooding occurs, it affects not only the physical infrastructure but also our mental infrastructure. The appointment of three new Small Business Wellness Coaches will deliver the most sought-after advice and care to flood-affected small business owners in Gympie, Greater Brisbane, and Ipswich. Together with the $8.76 million Small Business Wellness Package initiatives, we are committed to restoring balance and improving the resilience, health, and well-being of Queensland’s passionate and productive small business owners.”
– Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development, and Minister for Juvenile Justice, Di Farmer
Conclusion
The appointment of three new small business wellness coaches is a significant step towards supporting the mental health and well-being of flood-affected small business owners in Greater Brisbane, Gympie, and Ipswich. These coaches will provide crucial support, guidance, and resources to help business owners navigate the challenges they face and address the impact of the floods on their mental health.
By acknowledging the invisible but profound psychological impact of natural disasters, the Albanian and Palaszczuk governments are taking an essential step towards the long-term recovery and resilience of small businesses in these areas. Through initiatives like the Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Package and the Small Business Wellness Package, they are providing the necessary resources and assistance to help small businesses rebuild and thrive.
Together with the dedicated efforts of small business wellness coaches and the support networks in place, Queensland’s small business owners can overcome adversity, restore balance, and create positive results as they continue on their recovery journey.
Summary:
The Albanian and Palaszczuk governments have appointed three new small business wellness coaches to provide support to flood-affected small business owners in Greater Brisbane, Gympie, and Ipswich. These coaches will help reduce stress, overcome challenges, and improve mental health and well-being. The appointment is part of the Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Package, which aims to address the medium and long-term recovery of small businesses affected by the 2022 Queensland floods. The coaches join a network of six existing wellness coaches, providing comprehensive support to small business owners across Queensland. This initiative recognizes the importance of addressing the mental health impact of natural disasters and aims to improve the resilience and well-being of small business owners in these areas.
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Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Juvenile Justice
The Hon. DiFarmer
- Flood-affected small business owners in Greater Brisbane, Gympie and Ipswich, still struggling after last year’s floods, will be able to turn to three new small business wellness coaches to reduce stress, overcome challenges and improve mental health and well-being.
- The coaches join a network of six Queensland government-funded Wellness Coaches appointed in 2022, who have provided support from Darling Downs to Far North Queensland.
- youThe new wellness coaches will be supported by the Albanian and Palaszczuk governments through the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Agreements (DRFAs), as part of the Recovery Package and $14.5 million Small Business Resiliency that launched last year.
Three new small business wellness coaches, supported by the Albanian and Palaszczuk governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Financing Agreements (DRFA), will provide assistance to small business owners businesses affected by flooding in Greater Brisbane, Gympie and Ipswich.
The coaches will help small business clients navigate financial support programs that help relieve business-related stress, allowing them to take action to address issues affecting their mental health.
An additional project officer has also been appointed in Bundaberg, who is responsible for coordinating and assisting the trainers.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt:
“Small business owners in Gympie, Greater Brisbane and Ipswich affected by the South East Queensland flood in February 2022 will benefit from the appointment of the new Small Business Wellness Coaches.
“Natural disasters have an impact on the mental health and well-being of those affected, and addressing that is a key step for long-term recovery.
“We recognize that operators are still recovering from last year’s flooding and still having a hard time.
“I want to commend the remarkable job the existing trainers are doing, and through this commitment, we continue to support their efforts in making more trainers available to serve more regions.
“This program will help those most affected continue their recovery journey so they can get back to doing business and creating the positive results that come from that.”
Citations attributable to the Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Juvenile Justice Di Farmer:
“Queenslanders have faced their share of natural disasters and know that when flooding occurs, it affects not only the physical infrastructure, but also our mental infrastructure.
“The appointment of three new Small Business Wellness Coaches will deliver the most sought-after advice and care to flood-affected small business owners in Gympie, Greater Brisbane and Ipswich.
“These new coaches are in addition to six coaches appointed in 2022 and join the Queensland Government’s network of over 20 small business and rural financial advisers across the state.
“The invisibility of the psychological impact of a natural disaster means that it can be much more difficult to identify and respond to, and this can cause ongoing problems in the months and years after the event.
“Together with the $8.76 million Small Business Wellness Package initiatives, we are committed to restoring balance and improving the resilience, health and well-being of Queensland’s passionate and productive small business owners.”
More information:
In 2022, a $14.5 million Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Package, funded through the DRFA, was developed in response to the 2022 Queensland floods to address medium- and long-term recovery and resilience activities for small businesses.
The Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Package includes:
- $10 million for the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program for community organizations to undertake flood recovery projects.
- $2.5 million for local economic recovery grants to affected local councils to promote local small businesses, attract tourists, encourage locals to be tourists in their own region, and shop local.
- $2 million for Small Business Support Services, which includes three business support managers from Business Chamber Queensland to provide personalized and professional business information; and the three wellness coaches and support officer announced today.
Small Business Wellness Coaches are administered under the Queensland Government’s $8.76 million Small Business Wellness Package, which also includes:
- a $3 million Small Business Support Services Fund to help small business owners address stresses like cash flow, financial planning, and minor construction
- a statewide promotional campaign to raise awareness of mental health, financial counseling and other support services available
- the Business Chamber Queensland Business Wellbeing Program, which provides comprehensive online resources to help chambers support small businesses with their mental health and wellbeing, and;
- the $150,000 Chamber Wellness Fund grant program, which provides funding for chambers of commerce to implement their own mental health and wellness program or pilot event in their local area.
For more information on the small business wellness package, visit www.business.qld.gov.au/wellness or contact the small business hotline on 1300 654 687.
For more information on disaster recovery, go to www.qra.qld.gov.au/recovery
Media contacts:
Office of Minister Watt: Tali Eley 0499 770 772
Minister Farmer’s Office: Gary Shipway 0458 090 906
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/97921
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