In recognition of International Volunteer Day this week, we’re celebrating the incredible work and generosity of our volunteers.  

 We spoke to two of our passionate legal volunteers, Simran and Tahlia, about what it’s like to volunteer with the National Justice Project. 

Tahlia Miller-Dietrich is in her penultimate year of Law at Macquarie University and volunteered with us through our Macquarie University Social Justice Clinic.

Simran Naicker is a Law/Psychology graduate from Macquarie University.

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE LAWYERS

We challenge our volunteers to take their legal skills and social justice awareness to the next level. Our volunteers get hands on training and support from our legal team to build their skills, including providing trauma-informed care, expert legal knowledge and the client-centred approach that sets the National Justice Project apart. 

Both Tahlia and Simran said that they found an “inclusive and supportive environment” at the National Justice Project, and the motivation this gives them to open themselves up to take on new challenges. 

“Volunteering with the National Justice Project opens you up to social justice in such a unique way. Each day you walk away learning something new and meaningful.” 

HELPING VOLUNTEERS ADVANCE THEIR CAREERS

Volunteers build their skillsets with us and have the chance to meet and network with lawyers working on human rights, building connections that help to advance their social justice career. 

Tahlia says she’s had “the opportunity to network and learn through practical tasks” as a National Justice Project volunteer, including at LawHack, which bring together some of Australia’s sharpest legal minds to develop strategies to further social justice. 

We want our in our volunteer to have a sense of confidence, so they feel ready to enter the professional world.  

Simran Naicker is a Law and Psychology graduate from Macquarie Universit.

Simran says  her time at the National Justice Project equipped her with “a range of transferrable skills that I can apply in my future professional career, such as decision-making, critical thinking, and leadership skills.” 

Learn more about International Volunteer Day here. 

Interested in taking the next step in your human rights career and volunteering with us? We’d love to hear from you!

Head over to our Volunteering page to find out more about volunteering with the National Justice Project.

Sasha Wickramsinghe is Volunteer Coordinator at the National Justice Project