Volunteers play an integral and vital role in the work of Redfern Legal Centre. In fact, the Centre would not be able to operate without the volunteers.

The volunteers at the Centre are split into two types: day-time volunteers and evening volunteers.

Most day time volunteers are university students, many of them studying law or social work. However we also have volunteers who are not students but who take time off work to assist us, or who have some spare time. Some have been at the Centre for over six years. We expect that volunteers are committed to attend the Centre and that they will ring us if they are unable to attend their shift that week.

Evening volunteers include solicitors, barristers and more experienced students Their role is to give advice to clients. Most of the Centre's legal advice is given through these evening shifts. The volunteers rostered on the evening shifts do not take part in the other volunteer duties outlined below.

Roster Organisation

There are 3 rostered sessions each day: 2 day-time shifts 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 6.00pm, then the evening client advice session 6.00pm to 9.00pm.

A paid staff member is in charge of each shift and is called the Duty Person. The day time shifts have between 3 to 4 volunteers. The evening client advice shift has between 4 or 5 volunteers.

Most volunteers work at the Centre for a minimum of one shift per week. We expect volunteers to take on a volunteer commitment that is realistic given the other demands upon their time.

There are 2 intakes of day-time volunteers each year, in March and August

Volunteers are selected on the basis of their knowledge and commitment to the goals of the Centre, their commitment to confidentiality, their completion of the training program and availability.

For information about volunteering at Redfern Legal Centre contact our volunteer co-ordinator on (02) 9698 7277 or email info@rlc.org.au