A CHARITY that helps disadvantaged adults get their voices heard is appealing for more trustees and volunteers to join them.

Barton-based Getting Heard, formerly known as Oxfordshire Advocacy, wants members of the public to donate some of their time to help others in their communities.

The group helps and supports vulnerable people from all over the county make important decisions in their lives by empowering them and educating them in their rights.

The work by volunteers includes talking to doctors, care workers, landlords and Government departments.

Director Helen Evans said any adult could become a volunteer to help clients or join the board of trustees to shape the future of the charity, which is based in the Barton Neighbourhood Centre in Underhill Circus.

She added the organisation was looking for three new trustees in particular.

Ms Evans added: "As a charity over the past few years we have grown in size and although we need volunteers, we are also looking to grow the board of trustees.

"We support people who need help with making life-impacting decisions, such as big decisions about housing.

"It's a really rewarding job to do. We have all different ages of people who volunteer, it's incredible."

The charity has 10 staff and is funded through a combination of cash from Oxfordshire County Council, the Older People’s Advocacy Alliance and voluntary grants.

It currently has about 50 volunteer advocates to help those in need in the community and it was first created in 1989.

Ms Evans said the charity was looking for three new trustees to come forward to be involved in fundraising, communications and governance.

Chairman of the trustees Chris Bright has been volunteering his services for three years.

The lawyer, from Summertown added he signed up to be a trustee because he wanted to help vulnerable people.

He said: "Part of the role is to make people feel like someone is listening to them.

"It's rewarding because you get a feeling that you're making a difference in people's lives.

"As a trustee the aim is to bring skills from elsewhere to take the charity forward and use those skills to make a difference.

"There is some great stories of people who have been significantly helped by our advocates.

"Some have been life changing, some not so much, but even so it makes a difference to lives and helps people get going."

To apply to become a trustee or volunteer visit www.gettingheard.org/volunteer or contact the Getting Heard office on 0300 343 5718.