Baby First Aid QLD, is a business for good that is on a mission to ensure all parents and carers have access to quality skills in first aid to apply if their child is sick, injured or in an emergency.
Hear from Loretta Woodford, a fifth-generation North Queensland local and registered nurse applying her passion and understanding of the need for education and assistance.
What inspired you to start your social enterprise, and what specific social or environmental issue are you addressing?
With a lifelong passion for the health and wellbeing of others, I pursued a career in nursing later in life. Upon becoming a grandmother, I found inspiration in Baby First Aid QLD and recognised a void in the North Queensland market. As a social enterprise, I have the opportunity to enhance positive outcomes for children facing accidents or illnesses, while also extending services to regional and rural communities where resources are scarce.
Ultimately, my vision is to diminish unnecessary emergency department visits for children aged 0-4, enhance positive health outcomes for children in this age group who experience accidents or illnesses, and bridge the gap between the health outcomes of non-indigenous and indigenous children.
My social enterprise also aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Ensuring good health and wellbeing.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in building/scaling your social enterprise, and how have you overcome them?
Financial sustainability is the biggest challenge due to operating in markets with low margins or encountering difficulties in accessing traditional financing. To tackle this hurdle, I have been fortunate to secure Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) social enterprise grants, which have proven invaluable in funding aspects of my venture, from acquiring first aid resources to developing my website, and most recently, developing my online baby first aid program and launching it into the market.
Another obstacle involves spreading awareness within the community about the existence of your business. It requires patience as you wait for your name to gain traction and recognition.
Be prepared to iterate on your ideas, pivot your strategies, and embrace change as needed to stay aligned with your mission and goals.
– Loretta Woodford.
How do you measure and assess the impact of your social enterprise, and what outcomes are you most proud of achieving so far?
During the initial 18 months of my social enterprise, I compiled an Impact Report, which proved pivotal. It was imperative to assess the goals of my venture, particularly in enhancing health literacy within the communities it serves. I gauged the effectiveness by tracking the number of baby first aid sessions conducted and the total attendance count. Additionally, I analysed the demographic breakdown of attendees, distinguishing between male and female participants, as well as whether the sessions were conducted publicly or privately. Out of a total of 66 sessions, there were 454 attendees, including 21 sessions provided free of charge as part of our social enterprise initiative.
Two accomplishments that fill me with pride are initiating the business as a solo entrepreneur and expanding to have four employees based in Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay. Recently, I developed and introduced an online baby first aid program, with the aim of making it accessible to every council in the state. This endeavour enables parents and caregivers to access the program at no cost, especially in areas where in-person sessions may not be feasible.
What advice would you give aspiring impact entrepreneurs considering launching their own ventures to address social or environmental issues?
Social entrepreneurship is inherently challenging, and you may encounter setbacks, obstacles, and unexpected challenges along the way. Stay resilient, adaptable, and open to learning from failures and setbacks. Be prepared to iterate on your ideas, pivot your strategies, and embrace change as needed to stay aligned with your mission and goals.
Cultivate relationships with like-minded individuals, organisations, and communities who share your passion for social or environmental change. Collaborate with stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, businesses, and local communities, to leverage resources, expertise, and networks to amplify your impact.
What are you reading/listening/watching right now?
Currently, I am engaged in an audiobook titled “Your Weight is not the Problem” by Lyndi Cohen. It outlines a straightforward, non-diet approach to cultivating lasting healthy habits. I believe many individuals can connect with the struggle of dieting, highlighting the significance of prioritising health.