Community Wellbeing and Resilience Flood Recovery Grants are now available to support the wellbeing and mental health of residents in flood impacted areas across Northern NSW.

Minister for Regional Health and Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the grants will be allocated to non-government organisations to help deliver local trauma and recovery programs to ensure support is available long after the clean-up has finished.

“Natural disasters cause unseen stress and anxiety for impacted communities and we need to recognise that rebuilding goes far beyond bricks and mortar,” Mrs Taylor said.

“These grants will help provide a much-needed boost for communities who have been through a very difficult time, and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring we are doing everything we can to support them.”

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the grants would support resident’s mental health and wellbeing as the region rebuilds.

“The devastating flooding left an enormous emotional toll on local residents and business owners. This funding will help provide the support they need on the long road to recovery,” Ms Cooke said.

The initiative will be delivered by Healthy North Coast through the PHN Program and in collaboration with the Northern NSW Local Health District.

Healthy North Coast Chief Executive Officer Julie Sturgess said the program will focus on young people, older people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the NSW local government areas of Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tweed, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle and Clarence Valley.

“These communities are most at risk of poorer outcomes following natural disasters, but they also know best what they need to get back on their feet,” Ms Sturgess said.

“For that reason, development of grant proposals and delivery of programs will be coordinated locally to enable tailored, community-led solutions.”

Under the Community Wellbeing and Resilience Flood Recovery Grants program a total of $5 million will be available over 3 years and will be released in stages.

Funding will be allocated to selected proposals with a budget of $100,000 - $200,000 per year, and multi-year projects will be considered.

Healthy North Coast is inviting proposals for the following eligible community-led activities or services:

• Trauma-based education programs: Training and education programs such as trauma education or personal resilience programs, that promote trauma-informed principles and practices.
• Social and emotional wellbeing: Clinical or psychosocial trauma-informed interventions that improve wellbeing and increase emotional resilience.
• Cultural connection: Activities that strengthen cultural connection or build or share Indigenous knowledge or practices. These initiatives must be delivered by Aboriginal people or organisations.

Applications for grants are now open, and can be submitted online.