WHY ARE WE NEEDED?

It can take up to eight weeks just to speak with an intake team to access Counselling services.

The statistics supporting the need for a counselling service are many and varied.  The below statistic has been provided as an example:

E.g.: Reasons for Counselling (Mother or Family) In 2010/11, across the Wimmera* region PCP, the most common reasons for counselling (mother or family) were physical and then emotional. In Horsham RC and West Wimmera, the proportion of counselling that as for physical or family planning reasons was higher than the State average; while the proportion of counselling for emotional reasons was higher in Hindmarsh than the Victorian average.  http://www.wimmerapcp.org.au/wp-gidbox/uploads/2014/02/Population-Health-Wellbeing-Profile.pdf

For further reading please visit our page at http://www.facebook.com/wimmeracclc/

Community Legal Centres are few and far between.  There are three that service the Wimera Area (one being a legal aid office).  Out of these three, one is in Ballarat (approx. 2 1/2 hours travel) and the other is in Mildura (approx. 3 hours travel).  Clearly this makes accessing a legal service difficult to say the least.

Litigation is one of the costliest problems someone may have to experience, the financial implications alone can be overwhelming to most.  But, if you factor in the stress of court appearances, possible negative outcomes as well as severe emotional and mental stress, it is obvious why the gap needs to be filled.

WHAT WILL WE DO TO HELP?

• Provide access to counselling and legal services that are easily accessible and affordable.
• Advocate for our clients so they can be defended equitably within the justice system.
• Keep raising money and seeking funding to maintain the services in the long term.
• Provide a referral service in the event that we cannot directly help the client.
• Provide a mediation service for people having difficulty with neighbours, local councils etc.

WHY DO WE NEED YOUR HELP?

We are in the start-up phase and need assistance so we can gain the necessary tools and materials required to implement the services we know are needed.  Please feel free to contact us for a full list of what we are raising the money for. Some of the items are: furnishings, office equipment etc.

Please seriously consider giving to this much needed cause.  Your help will enable us to stand up for and aid those of us that need it most.

Thank you

From the team at

Wimmera Counselling & Community Legal Centre Inc.