If you’d like to get involved in something really worthwhile, helping older people in York, then OCAY needs YOU.
We are open to any amount of time and commitment you are willing to give. Just a few hours could change lives.
“I do feel like I am part of a family and I’ll be here as long as I can be”
We have a number of volunteering opportunities, each requiring different qualities and skills.
Full training will be given and a full disclosure and barring check will be required. For all our volunteering roles the amount of time and commitment is determined by yourself, anything freely given is always greatly appreciated and expenses are paid.
“I feel that we are being thought of all the time – staff always ask us if we are ok”
An Advocate
An advocate will typically take the issue concerning the client, such as an energy supplier issue, discuss the outcome required and then give the client options as to an appropriate way forward. An advocate never gives advice, rather they enable the client to access the information required to work towards an outcome. Within this process the advocate may be required to write letters, make telephone calls on the client’s behalf or attend meetings with the client to ensure the client’s point of view is heard.
An advocate gives the client a helping hand to put their life back on track and make a real difference at a practical level. We do not require a fixed amount of time from our volunteer advocates, time commitment is determined by you.
Friend of OCAY
If you have a few hours spare and you like talking to people, why not become a Friend of OCAY volunteer. This role could involve attending activities, such as coffee mornings or events within the community and informing them about OCAY’s service.
Or you could deliver leaflets and call on homes in your local area to let people know about our service. There are opportunities to talk to a group, such as a care home setting, another local charity or other organisations to raise the profile of OCAY.
Information and guidance within this role will be provided and support given in preparing for different activities. Again, we are flexible and the time commitment is very much at your discretion.
A Trustee
Trustees have collective responsibility for ensuring that OCAY pursues its charitable objectives. They give strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets. They are responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient administration of OCAY and seeking to ensure its financial stability. They must have integrity, and need commitment and goodwill towards OCAY, with time to give preparing for and participating in meetings and undertaking other activities on behalf of the charity.
The trustee meetings are bi-monthly.