At this time of year, we look back over the last financial year, reflect on our people, our work and the impact our organisation has made to the clients that need us most.
This year has been like no other. When thinking about our people I see a team of resilient and committed individuals; who have by no choice of their own been requested to work from home, asked to go home because they had cold symptoms, and asked not to return to work unless they have a negative Covid test result to evidence that they are not a health risk to the rest of the team.
I see a team who embraced new technology to ensure the impact on clients was minimal. I see the volunteers who were asked not to attend our service due to Covid restrictions, or, they may have been at a high risk themselves and were safer at home.
With all the uncertainty and change I am proud to share that we assisted 1421 clients with a vast variety of legal issues. We found new ways of getting legal information out in the community, and strengthening our relationships with stakeholders, networks, and community members. With the assistance of the Victorian Law Foundation we turned a face to face community presentation on cyber safety and sexting into a live webinar which under the circumstances was well attended. This webinar has now become the first of many to come.
Where many businesses have suffered a financial loss, or had to close their doors permanently and let staff go, we saw a boost to funding from Commonwealth and State Governments to provide front line legal services to those exact people, the ones that lost their jobs, can’t pay their rent or may have incurred fines as a result of breaching Covid restrictions.
In wrapping up I would like to acknowledge our funders, partners and stakeholders and thank them for their continued support and referrals and look forward to working together in 2021.
This year has been like no other. When thinking about our people I see a team of resilient and committed individuals; who have by no choice of their own been requested to work from home, asked to go home because they had cold symptoms, and asked not to return to work unless they have a negative Covid test result to evidence that they are not a health risk to the rest of the team.
I see a team who embraced new technology to ensure the impact on clients was minimal. I see the volunteers who were asked not to attend our service due to Covid restrictions, or, they may have been at a high risk themselves and were safer at home.
With all the uncertainty and change I am proud to share that we assisted 1421 clients with a vast variety of legal issues. We found new ways of getting legal information out in the community, and strengthening our relationships with stakeholders, networks, and community members. With the assistance of the Victorian Law Foundation we turned a face to face community presentation on cyber safety and sexting into a live webinar which under the circumstances was well attended. This webinar has now become the first of many to come.
Where many businesses have suffered a financial loss, or had to close their doors permanently and let staff go, we saw a boost to funding from Commonwealth and State Governments to provide front line legal services to those exact people, the ones that lost their jobs, can’t pay their rent or may have incurred fines as a result of breaching Covid restrictions.
In wrapping up I would like to acknowledge our funders, partners and stakeholders and thank them for their continued support and referrals and look forward to working together in 2021.
Strategic Plan 2019-2022
Reflecting on the priority goals reached in our strategic plan
- Legal services have been adapted and improved to meet the changing needs of clients. Opportunities for video link and telephone appointments have improved access to our service for clients outside the Ballarat LGA.
- The introduction of practise teams has allowed for comprehensive specialised services to be provided to clients, with assistance possible for more complex matters.
- Regular newsletters are sent to stakeholders ensuring they are kept up to date with services offered by BGCLS and referral pathways.
- Through our Compass Program we are able to provide holistic services to clients. Whilst navigating their way through the legal system our client advocate can ensure that their wellbeing needs are also being met.
- BGCLS has been fortunate enough to collaborate with Grampians Community Health with our Health Justice Partnership that wrapped up this year. We have also established a relationship with Parent Place in Ballarat, providing discrete Family law and Family Violence services to parents.
- Additional funding for the Specialist Family Violence Court in Ballarat has enabled us to expand the team and provide services to clients prior to, during and after court.
- Our client advocate is able to assist clients with risk assessments and safety planning as part of our Compass Program
- BGCLS Staff participate in a number of different networks and working groups including the court users network, SFVC Local Implementation working group, Hepburn Family Violence Action Group and Communities of Respect & Equality.
- Options for an office in Horsham have been explored to enhance accessibility
- Reconciliation Action Plan has commenced with the establishment of an internal working group
- Staff have participated in cultural competency training
- Diversity and Inclusion working group has been established and are working towards the creation of a diversity and inclusion action plan. The plan will cover areas such as access to interpreters, cultural sensitivity and inclusivity of various diverse groups within our community.
- Monitoring and Evaluation processes have been embedded into direct service delivery to monitor general satisfaction and well being of clients
- BGCLS have worked as a team to develop a Team Charter
Contact Us © Ballarat & Grampians Community Legal Service Inc.
To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
Many images of Ballarat and surrounds by photographer, Andrew Thomas. Visit Andrew's website to see more of his beautiful images - http://www.andrewthomasphotographer.com/