Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) is an umbrella organisation that supports community organisations and charities across the county, whether that be with funding advice, training needs, sector knowledge, publicity opportunities or volunteer advice.


In January 2014, OCVA decided to develop its ability to support communities in other ways and recruited six Community Ambassadors.
The Community Ambassadors are volunteers who offer information and advice to charities and community groups in their local town. The Ambassadors do this by signposting towards services, develop networks of contacts and helping individuals who want to volunteer link up to organisations that need volunteers. The Community Ambassadors are all volunteers themselves who are trained by OCVA to have the relevant skills needed for the role.


The current areas covered by Community Ambassadors are Wallingford, Wantage, Henley, Thame and Abingdon (which is covered by two Ambassadors).


Marigold Brown, Community Ambassador for Abingdon, says: “My local charities and community groups are looking for ways to raise funds and find more volunteers, as well as make contact with other organisations near them. Since I know and care about Abingdon, I can give information and advice as well as signposting them to relevant support services.”


It is free to use the services of the Community Ambassadors for both organisations and individuals. The goal for OCVA is to be able to help more groups by having a direct contact within the towns.


Hannah Fenton, of OCVA, who set up the scheme at OCVA, explains: “This is about making sure groups and individuals are as well informed as possible to enable a strong, productive and flourishing local community and charitable sector. The Ambassadors can highlight OCVAs services were appropriate as we are aware that not everyone is using our services to their best advantage.”


If you are a group and need advice or support or an individual looking for an opportunity to get involved with your local community here are the contacts for your area: Abingdon — Dave Butterworth & Marigold Brown (dave.vol@ocva.org.uk & marigold.vol@ocva.org.uk); Henley — Heather Alexandra (heather.vol@ocva.org.uk); Thame — Tanya Berman (tanya.vol@ocva.org.uk); Wallingford — Gillian Leaver (gillian.vol@ocva.org.uk); Wantage — Linda Baines (linda.vol@ocva.org.uk).
Additionally if you want to know more about what OCVA can do for you, then contact admin@ocva.org.uk