Volunteers are the lifeblood of Marrickville Legal Centre – their dedication enables us to connect even more people in the community to justice. Vollie Vox is our monthly series dedicated to showcasing an outstanding volunteer.
This month we’re celebrating Stephanie Kent, who has volunteered with Marrickville Legal Centre as a Legal Assistant since June. Stephanie was nominated for her politeness, reliability, organisational skills, and strong rapport with clients.
What inspired you to start volunteering at MLC, and what keeps you coming back?
I wanted to get some practical experience in the legal field in a way that contributed to my community, and a friend of mine had volunteered at MLC several years ago and recommended it. Having lived in the Inner West and surrounds for many years, MLC was a great fit for me as I love contributing to my community. I keep coming back because the people are great and I feel like I’m making a difference while still learning a lot and improving my skills and knowledge of how community legal centres function.
How do you feel your role makes a difference for our clients and community?
I think that being a compassionate and efficient point of contact for our clients is incredibly valuable. When a client is calling us, it’s likely currently the biggest stress in their life. To be able to offer reassurance and empathy while still helping them get closer to the advice or support they need is an important contribution to the work of MLC. By being empathetic and efficient, our clients feel understood.
What skills have you gained while volunteering at MLC?
The biggest skill I’ve acquired is in how I talk to clients and get the information we need to triage their matter. Being able to get the important facts from a client in a relatively short amount of time is a skill that hasn’t always come easily to me, but MLC has given me a lot of time and support to work on improving it. Similarly, being able to then summarise a matter quickly when needing to consult with a supervisor or a lawyer is a separate skill that I am learning at MLC. Every shift I learn more about how the legal issues apply to our clients and that helps me be better at my role.
What’s something that surprised you when you first started volunteering at MLC?
I think how welcoming everyone is and how willing to help was the biggest surprise. Everyone is busy but will make the time for a curly question or if I need a bit of extra help in how to manage an enquiry. The supervisors give feedback in a very constructive way, so even when I make mistakes I don’t feel as though I have created a big problem, instead, I’m just given what I need to avoid it in the future.
How would you describe MLC to someone thinking about getting involved?
MLC is an organisation that is working tirelessly to deliver excellent legal services to its community, and everyone I’ve met shares that commitment. It’s a warm group of people who always do their best to help you and the client you have on the phone, so you don’t need to be intimidated about getting involved. I truly feel like they care about my development as an individual as well. Volunteering at MLC is truly a win-win when it comes to developing your own skills while contributing to an important organisation.
