This month, SSRV attended the Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) Conference from 11-12 October hosted at the Pullman hotel in Albert Park.
It was a welcome opportunity to meet and engage with the financial counselling sector in person, and to strengthen the connection and partnership between FCVic and SSRV.
Our experience tells us that working with Victorian financial counsellors improves the quality of our legal service and short and long-term client outcomes through providing a holistic, wrap around service.
During the conference we enjoyed speaking with many of the other attendees, which included financial counsellors, financial capability workers social and health workers, educators, advocates, and other lawyers. Many rich and interesting conversations took place beneath the sparkling chandeliers in the Grand Ballroom of the Pullman Albert Park as we discussed common issues and concerns.
The theme of ‘Fearless and Forthright” highlighted the approach conference participants bring to their client-centred work. This commitment to being ‘fearless and forthright’ was evident through the many sessions and break-out rooms we were fortunate to attend. We were inspired by speakers Shazia Syed, and Manasi Wagh from Women’s Health in the North, as well as Deb Shroot from FCA, and Amy Ferguson from Uniting who offered their insight and wisdom on their respective topics of financial capability and neurodivergence.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stall to speak with us, pick us some service postcards, eat some lollies, and provide us with valuable feedback on our Social Security Debt Help [LINK] website’s self-help tool! Each person who submitted feedback forms during the Conference went into the draw for the chance to win one of two $50.00 EFTPOS cards. Congratulations to the winners!
We look forward to working closely with our financial counselling colleagues in the future through our Worker Helpline and for further opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.
