For those of you with legal training, whether that be studying Law at Uni or practicing Law with a legal firm, volunteering at a community legal centre is a great way to give back to the community. Community legal centres provide free legal advice to those who cannot afford lawyers' fees, but still have legal problems that need to be solved.
Each community legal centre is slightly different, both in the areas of law they cover, as well as the amount of time they expect volunteers to work for. However, for those of you who are able to do this much needed service, it is very rewarding both personally and on your resume. It also opens your eyes to the world around you, enabling you to become a more balanced and sensitive individual. Furthermore, it is always interesting, because each legal problem is different, and thus an issue of boredom isn't something to contend with.
So....where to access these legal centres? The list is numerous and includes -
Eastern Community Legal Centre,
Springvale Monash Legal Service, and many others.
National Association of Community Legal Centres provides a full list of the Community Legal Centres in Melbourne.
So get on out there, donate what would have been a boring weeknight, and help these legal services out...they're desperate for volunteers.
