At OCVA we’re encouraging Oxfordshire residents to come along to a Volunteering Drop-In to mark the start of Volunteers’ Week, the UK’s annual national celebration of volunteering.
OCVA staff will be on hand to talk about the wealth of volunteering roles on offer across the county, answer questions about volunteering, and suggest different ways people can get involved in helping out. That could be driving someone to an appointment or befriending someone who is feeling isolated, supporting a young carer or organising a community lunch or activity, or even helping out behind the scenes with admin, accounts, fundraising or marketing – and much more.
The event is being held at The Source at OCVA on Floyd’s Row, St Aldate’s, OX1 1SS from 12pm to 2pm on Thursday 1 June.
Jenny Bowley, Volunteer Development Officer at OCVA, said: ‘We know that lots of people really want to get involved with volunteering, but sometimes don’t know where to start. Our Volunteering Drop In is a great chance to find out about hundreds of fantastic opportunities with a huge range of local organisations.’
She added: ‘You might already have an idea of the kind of thing you might be interested in doing, or you might not know what’s out there. We think there’s a volunteer role to suit everyone and can chat with you about what you enjoy and what might fit in with your life.’
Laura Price, CEO of OCVA, said ‘Volunteering is as good for the volunteer as it is for the people you volunteer with. It can help you learn new skills and meet new people. It’s a great way to build confidence and meet new people. And knowing that you’re using your time, skills and knowledge to make a positive difference in your local community can really boost your wellbeing.’
She added: ‘Oxfordshire residents came forward in huge numbers during the pandemic to support neighbours, friends and their local communities, helping at vaccination clinics, and much more. Since then, though, many charities and community groups have told us that they’re finding it harder to get volunteers. That’s why we really want to encourage more people to see that there is a volunteering role for them.’
Prospective volunteers who can’t make it to OCVA on 1 June can search Oxfordshire’s one-stop shop for volunteering opportunities at www.oxonvolunteers.org or email OCVA on vol@ocva.org.uk.
2023 Volunteer Celebration Awards: the deadline for nominations is Tuesday 30 May
We’re also asking Oxfordshire residents to nominate their local community heroes for the 2023 Volunteer Celebration Awards. There are awards for Young Volunteer Under 25, Long Service Volunteer, Volunteer of the Year, and Volunteer Organisation of the Year.
The awards and celebration event on 28 June are sponsored by local business park company Jennings and Oxfordshire construction firm Beard, and the deadline for nominations is Tuesday 30 May.
Find out how to nominate a volunteer or voluntary organisation.
