Mental wellbeing and resilience
Local business operators have the chance to focus on their own mental wellbeing in a series of upcoming workshops.
The Phillip Island Business Network (PIBN) received a grant via Business Victoria to deliver training to improve mental wellbeing and resilience throughout the business community.
Michael Wells who co-owns and operates Ripples n Tonic farm in Ventnor is leading the project and training.
Michael brings considerable experience to the role.
He has spent 10 years in private business, five years managing a not-for-profit organisation helping children suffering from parental incarceration and more than 20 years with Victoria Police where he performed roles as a trained police negotiator, criminal investigations and critical incident response management.
He has also been a life-coach mentor and sports coach for marginalised youth from refugee backgrounds.
As part of the grant requirements, Michael has received recent specialist training in wellbeing that complements his professional experience.
The training will be delivered by Michael and team members from PIBN.
“The overarching goal of the training is to make participants intelligent and empowered stewards of their own wellbeing,” Michael said.
“We are not providing clinical counselling, crisis support or telling people how to run their businesses, just relevant education and engaging training, to improve individual levels of resilience, that will ripple and result in better business outcomes.”
Michael said the workshops were in response to some of the negative impacts of the global pandemic that profoundly affected the local tourism economy on Phillip Island.
“The proposed training will provide participants with individualised strategies to become more self-aware, more resilient and better leaders and managers for their organisations.
“It is also proposed to develop ongoing peer support opportunities by establishing active peer support groups and activities in order to improve community connectedness and provide emotional support in a psychological-safe environment.”
Research indicates that every dollar invested in wellbeing creates greater productivity in the workplace and greater returns on investment over time, he said.
The training is currently free to Phillip Island Business Network members and will also be available to non-members for a small fee-for-service (inquiries to admin@pibn.com.au).
Current dates:
• June 21 at Penguin Parade complex (Education Room 1 & 2) from 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• June 23 at Ramada Resort (Bass Room 1) from 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• July 7 at Penguin Parade complex (Education Room 1 & 2) from 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• July 11 at Ramada Resort (Bass Room 1) from 9.30 am to 11.30 am
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