Organisation Name:
Older Citizens Advocacy york
Organisation's Cause(s):
Mentoring & Advocacy
Older Adults
Location of voluntary activity:
We have a meeting room and office at The Priory Street Centre, 15 Priory Street, York YO1 6ET where our volunteer advocates can meet clients. Contact can also be done over the phone from our office or meeting room.
Once a volunteer has gained experience and confidence they may also do occasional home visits if appropriate, to support house-bound clients.
When are volunteers needed: We are very flexible to suit you, and do not require a set number of hours.
Our office and meeting room is usually available between 09:30 - and 16:00, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, as well as Friday mornings.
Type of Voluntary Activity:
Advice / Information / Support
Advocating
Role description:
OCAY provides Advocacy and support to over 50’s in York. Our advocates give people a voice and help them to address their issues.
Tasks:
- An advocate will take the issue concerning the client, discuss the outcome required and the options available. The advocate then supports the client with the actions they wish to take.
- Within this process the advocate may be required to write letters, fill in forms, make telephone calls on the clients’ behalf or attend meetings.
- An advocate may need to speak for the client but only does so with their consent.
- We support people with issues such as benefits, energy issues, housing, pensions, consumer and health & social care issues.
Skills and behaviours needed for the role:
Key Skills:
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Good listening skills
- Be able to absorb information and pass it on to others effectively.
- Good understanding of importance of confidentiality
- Writing skills
- Basic IT skills: use of Email, Word and search engines
Will there be a DBS check? Yes
Driving Licence required? No
Volunteer's own vehicle required? No
Suitable for:
Ongoing Volunteering
Work Experience
What will the volunteer gain/benefit from:
Being a volunteer advocate provides a great opportunity to use existing skills or learn some new ones.
- All volunteer advocates complete a set of training modules as part of their induction to learn about advocacy and what makes a good advocate.
- We provide plenty of support to get you started. All new advocates will first do some shadowing of existing advocates first until you gain your confidence. You will then do a supervised session before taking on your own cases.
- Following this, ongoing support, training, and development is available. We offer training and support on specialist areas such as completing applications for specific benefits. We also have occasional guest speakers on other topics such as safeguarding and mental health.
- We provide supervision every 6 months as well as catch ups as required.
- Out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
How to get involved:
If you are interested, please complete our application form and email to info@ocay.org.uk
Applications Forms are also available from our website.
If you want more information please call us on 01904 676200.
Web link: Click here
Closing date: 31-07-2026