Our Community Program

Sparke Helmore provides non-legal support to local not-for-profit organisations and charities through our Community Program, as well as pro bono legal advice through our Pro Bono Practice. The focus of these programs is to have a positive impact on our local communities and build local connections.

View our In Kind report, providing insight into some of our key community and pro bono activities, as well as the challenges faced by the organisations and individuals we work with each year

Christmas appeal

Sparke Helmore has a tradition of supporting people in need at Christmas. Every year we choose one charity and acknowledge them in our Christmas card message to all our clients. We also offer our support with a $10,000 donation.

Payroll giving

Sparke Helmore's payroll giving initiative offers staff a simple way to regularly donate to charities of their choice as a salary sacrifice through automated payroll deduction.

Resource sharing

The firm shares its resources such as meeting rooms, teleconferencing facilities and networks, with its not-for-profit and charitable pro bono clients. We also offer these clients the opportunity to attend any training sessions that we hold relevant to their business.

Community volunteering

Our staff are encouraged to volunteer their time and support organisations in their local communities. The firm provides a number of opportunities to get involved and welcomes new volunteering suggestions from staff. Paid volunteer leave days are allocated to selected staff every financial year.

A volunteering activity may include skilled or unskilled tasks and can take place in or out of the office. The purpose of this initiative is to acknowledge the relationships that many of our staff have with community organisations, to build stronger relationships with our pro bono clients and to provide an alternative means of team engagement.

Community Service Leave

Our Community Service Leave Policy supports staff with paid leave entitlements for eligible community service activities, such as jury service and voluntary emergency management activities.

Triathlon

Since 1994, the annual Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon has been Newcastle's premier participant sporting event, raising more than $500,000 for various local charities and sporting groups. The Triathlon is held each year around late February, early March.

Other local activities

Many staff members are actively involved in a range of community organisations, from the grassroots level to the boardroom. In recognition of this, the firm regularly hosts or participates in local activities to support community organisations. 

Our staff regularly approach us through our Community Program to fundraise for causes close to their hearts.