Caboolture co-op awarded social enterprise grant to support disability employment

A Caboolture co-op will continue to support the employment of people with disabilities thanks to a Palaszczuk Government Social Enterprise Growth Grant.

Member for Pumicestone Ali King said a $24,500 grant will allow the Caboolture Community Work Co-operative (CCWC) to create a website, provide digital coaching and upgrade its computer equipment.

“CCWC aims to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to earn a living and work on an equal basis with others in an open, inclusive, accessible environment,” Ms King said.

“Like many businesses, CCWC has done it tough during the pandemic and I know the Lagoon Creek Café is in need of some TLC.

“Social enterprises like this are community assets and I’m proud that the Palaszczuk Government is backing them.”

Managing Director Debbie Griesheimer said CCWC is achieving their objective by employing people with disabilities through a growing domestic lawn mowing enterprise and a larger business, the Lagoon Creek Café and Function Room.

“When people who feel devalued — like those with disabilities — are given valued roles like employment, society perceives them in a more positive way and they experience less discrimination, greater opportunities for social inclusion, and less financial hardship,” she said.

“This in turn has a positive impact on the broader community by reducing demand on social welfare and health care systems.

“This grant will help us to keep our equipment for the function room and operations current, create efficiencies and increase our brand presence so we can direct our funds and focus to our purpose — paid employment for people with disabilities in the Moreton Bay Region.”

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said 30 organisations have shared in more than $635,000 to grow their operations and goodwill.   

“Social enterprises are businesses that address social, cultural and environmental challenges and invest their profits towards that purpose,” Minister Farmer said.

“We announced our $8 million Social Enterprise Jobs Fund earlier this year to grow the sector and create jobs as part of Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan.

“Under this Fund, the Growth Grants will support a whole range of projects creating genuine social impact, including recycling clean plastic waste from hospitals and training inmates in graphic design to reduce recidivism.

“Funded organisations can invest in things like new equipment, training or strategic advice and website improvements to scale up or adapt their operations.”

The Palaszczuk Government released the Queensland Social Enterprise Strategy in 2019, designed to build capability and capacity, make connections across the sector and improve market access.

For more information on support available for social enterprises visit the Business Queensland website: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/ or call 1300 369 935. 

ENDS

Media contact:       Ben Brew      0468 839 551