Wellbeing partnership supports businesses

AS part of the State’s free and confidential Partners in Wellbeing small business program, Commerce Ballarat have welcomed a new staff member, Jade McIlfatrick.

A mental health and wellbeing clinician, Ms McIlfatrick is equipped to assist small businesses in improving or maintaining their wellbeing, helping them start conversations surrounding mental health, and linking people the support they need.

“I’ve been working in mental health for the last 14 years, working in emergency and community services, and I’m very passionate about supporting people, as well as providing them with education about how to look after themselves and one another,” she said.

“It’s important for people to be able to have that local support that’s really business focused. A lot of support is not necessarily targeted to businesses.

“A good thing about Partners in Wellbeing working in with Commerce Ballarat is that I can provide face-to-face local support and link them in with other services that can help them and their businesses in their time of need, particularly now with COVID and how that might have had an impact.”

Ms McIlfatrick said she’s excited to take on the “unique” role and spread the word about what’s on offer.

“I think it’s a really good partnership, it will be great to get out there, start meeting people and offering that support, as well as education.

“It’s nice to be able to tailor it for people, so I’ll be getting out to chat with local businesses, finding out what they need, and providing that targeted support, rather than off-the-shelf stuff, which we do have on offer too,” she said.

The Partners in Wellbeing initiative offers financial counselling, business advice and psychological support. Assistance is accessible through the working week, and on weekends.

Visit partnersinwellbeing.org.au to reach out, or call Commerce Ballarat on 5333 3233 to get in touch with Ms McIlfatrick.

Head to the regularly updates CB business resource page at bit.ly/39u1e0S.