The collaboration between the RBS Relief Fund and the Wyatt Trust is making a meaningful difference in the lives of South Australian farmers and small business owners through the innovative Wyatt Trust Capacity Grant (WTCG) program.
Between July 2022 and December 2023, approximately $144,300 was distributed to 99 families who rely on primary production or small business enterprises for their income. These families have used the support to address financial distress proactively, engaging in business financial counselling while managing the daily pressures of business operations, family wellbeing and personal responsibilities.
At the heart of the Wyatt Trust Capacity Grant (WTCG) program is its role in complementing financial counselling as part of a wrap-around support model designed to deliver meaningful, long-term outcomes.
Valued at up to $1,500 each, the grants help bridge critical gaps in support by covering essential services or items that contribute to emotional and financial stability, informed decision-making and overall wellbeing.
One of the program’s most significant strengths is its immediate impact. For many recipients, the grants provide short-term debt relief, easing acute financial pressure that can lead to stress, overwhelm and decision paralysis.
By addressing essential cost-of-living needs, the grants offer financial flexibility with minimal obligations. This approach not only encourages continued engagement with financial counselling services but also empowers recipients to focus on rebuilding financial resilience and making the behavioural changes needed to restore long-term stability.
Bo, a vegetable grower on the Adelaide Plains, faced a series of challenges that placed both his business and his children’s education at risk.
In 2021, a devastating hailstorm destroyed his greenhouses and crops, leaving him without income and struggling to make ends meet. Determined to repair the damage and continue supporting his children’s schooling, Bo accumulated significant debt, resulting in ongoing financial hardship and mounting pressure.
Bo reached out to a Business Financial Counsellor (BFC) at RBS for support. As they worked together to review his Statement of Financial Position and consider future options, it became clear that his growing school fee debt was causing decision paralysis and limiting his ability to move forward.
His BFC suggested applying for a Wyatt Trust Capacity Grant (WTCG) to help create some immediate financial and emotional breathing space. The grant provided timely relief, easing short-term pressure and allowing Bo to re-engage more confidently in the counselling process.
With renewed focus, Bo worked alongside his BFC to explore refinancing options, consolidate high-interest debts and develop a strategy to revive his greenhouse enterprise. Over time, he reduced his debt levels and secured a manageable loan through a reputable bank.
Today, Bo has a clear plan and the resources to restore his business to full capacity. With ongoing support from RBS and the assistance of a WTCG, he is steadily progressing toward long-term financial stability.
