On behalf of Ballarat & Grampians Community Legal Service I am pleased to present the 2021-2022 Annual Report.
Although the 2021-2022 financial year was again impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic, our service continued to find ways to provide assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community.
What some would see as a challenging time, BGCLS saw opportunity; opportunity to expand remote services, build new partnerships and work in collaboration with like minded organisations to provide legal services, community legal education and non-legal support within our communities.
We were pleased to see an extension of State funding for our Integrated Services Program providing legal services in several Maternal & Child Health Centres within our catchment as well as new funding opportunities for projects commencing in the 22-23 financial year. We acknowledge the ongoing commitment and support from our funders both State and Commonwealth as well as Victoria Legal Aid and the Federation of Community Legal Centres for administrating these funds.
I am proud to be leading a team of dedicated and resilient staff who have continued to work through the challenges of Covid-19, staff shortages and extra demand on services while maintaining professionalism and empathy for our clients, the strength and teamwork of staff has been the absolute highlight of the financial year.
Its important to also acknowledge our volunteers. Gradually, throughout the year, we saw new and existing Volunteer Lawyers return to providing pro bono advice to clients. We have expanded our membership and welcomed new & enthusiastic Board members to our organisation.
In wrapping up I would like to acknowledge our supporters, project partners and stakeholders and thank them for their continued support, networking opportunities and referrals and look forward to working together in 2023.
Although the 2021-2022 financial year was again impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic, our service continued to find ways to provide assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community.
What some would see as a challenging time, BGCLS saw opportunity; opportunity to expand remote services, build new partnerships and work in collaboration with like minded organisations to provide legal services, community legal education and non-legal support within our communities.
We were pleased to see an extension of State funding for our Integrated Services Program providing legal services in several Maternal & Child Health Centres within our catchment as well as new funding opportunities for projects commencing in the 22-23 financial year. We acknowledge the ongoing commitment and support from our funders both State and Commonwealth as well as Victoria Legal Aid and the Federation of Community Legal Centres for administrating these funds.
I am proud to be leading a team of dedicated and resilient staff who have continued to work through the challenges of Covid-19, staff shortages and extra demand on services while maintaining professionalism and empathy for our clients, the strength and teamwork of staff has been the absolute highlight of the financial year.
Its important to also acknowledge our volunteers. Gradually, throughout the year, we saw new and existing Volunteer Lawyers return to providing pro bono advice to clients. We have expanded our membership and welcomed new & enthusiastic Board members to our organisation.
In wrapping up I would like to acknowledge our supporters, project partners and stakeholders and thank them for their continued support, networking opportunities and referrals and look forward to working together in 2023.
Strategic Plan 2019-2022
Reflecting on the priority goals reached in our Strategic Plan
- Legal services are continually reviewed to ensure services are flexible, responsive and innovative
- Agency referral processes have been developed to ensure clients are directed to the most appropriate service within our scope
- Face to face outreach services have commenced in Ararat, Stawell and Horsham to ensure greater access to free legal services in regional Victoria
- Through our Compass Program we have continued to provide a holistic wrap around service to clients particularly those impacted by family violence
- Collaboration between agencies has been a key element in delivering holistic non-legal services. Expansion of current Maternal & Child Health Service partnerships has been explored and will continue to be a focus for our service in the coming years
- BGCLS has continued to work within the Specialist Family Violence Court in Ballarat enabling clients to access services prior to, during and after court and for related matters.
- Our client advocate is able to assist clients with risk assessments and safety planning as part of our Compass Program
- We have continued to provide services for Family Violence in Ballarat, Ararat, Stawell and Horsham
- Partnerships have been developed with The Orange Door Ballarat and The Orange Door Wimmera to provide in reach services
- Investment in new and existing partnerships in regional areas has been a major focus
- Diversifying our Committee of Management to ensure ongoing sustainability for the service while exploring non-government funding opportunities
- Reconciliation Action Plan has commenced with the establishment of an internal working group
- Staff participate in ongoing opportunities for cultural competency and equality training
- Ensure culturally appropriate services are provided to clients
- Explore options for enhanced accessibility in our Ballarat Office as well as ensuring outreach locations are also accessible
- Monitoring and Evaluation processes are embedded into direct service delivery to monitor client satisfaction, outcomes and inform decision making
- Legal Needs Analysis updated 2021 with a focus on impacts of Covid-19
- Further work to be done on hot spot mapping
- Partnerships are sustained and new opportunities are continually explored such as working with Neighbourhood Houses to deliver outreach legal services and community legal education
- Ongoing professional development opportunities are provided to all staff and volunteers
- Open and transparent communication is encouraged
- Encourage flexible working arrangements for staff to ensure family time is supported for all staff regardless of gender
- Recognition of staff, volunteers, students and clients diversities, unique experiences and cultural backgrounds
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/