Category: News

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OCRA: Coronavirus – COVID-19 Statement

In light of the latest Government recommendations we at OCRA would like to publicise the following statements:

We encourage all members and users of the charity and Pavilion in the Park to follow government guidance about social distancing and self-isolation if appropriate.

The Pavilion Café will continue to open until mandatory advice dictates its closure. Our revised opening hours will be 11am to 3.30pm daily until further notice. Our cleaning regime and protocols have been increased and seating has been altered to comply with the recommended safe distance of 1 metre per table. We have also changed to the use of take away cups as an enhanced measure of protection for customers and staff. Take away meals are also available.

Our facilities are still available to hire to those individuals or groups who would like them but all National Governing Body led activities (Club activities) have been cancelled and are under review.

Our Easter holiday activities are currently still running with a reduced limit for each activity to enable large areas for the children and staff to work within, should recommendations change our social media channels will be the first place we advertise this.

We encourage all members and users to remain active whilst adhering to the recommendations in order to maintain good health and mental wellbeing.

Stay safe, wash your hands and if we continue to support each other the community will come out of this situation for the better. Please follow our social media channels to be kept up-to-date with ALL our latest news and offerings.

Yours Sincerely

Ian Blythe

General Manager

A PDF version of this statement is available here: Coronavirus Statement.

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Manager’s Report ’19-’20

Dance festival - managers reportsOver the last 12 months OCRA has changed its back of house functions and personnel.

I have been added to the team and following my appointment and discussions with the Trustees my positon was changed to General Manager.

We are also now recruiting for a new Clerk to the Board and Administrator, so some new faces and impetus will be added to the charity.

Thank you for the kind welcome I have received since my appointment.

A Year in Review

  • Hockey - managers' report36,388 Individual attendances to OCRA facilitated sessions, activities, bookings from April 19 to Jan 20.
  • 17,768 of these are within the Sports Development and Community engagement remit of our SLA with
    Fusion Leisure.
  • 18,620 attendances amount to our private hire of facilities and Pavilion based activities.

Diversifying OCRA

  • Sporting Memories Launched: A weekly session for those who are experiencing loneliness, depression or dementia to chat sport and experiences, plus take part in the quizzes and varied activities
  • Legs, Bums and Tums and Energise fitness classes: Geared towards those short on time, toddlers and babies
    welcome to play along side or take part!
  • Fitness Pilates: Weekly session on Tuesday evenings.
  • Confidence and Motivation workshops for 18-24 year olds: Boosting the confidence and work readiness for an age group where support is difficult to find.
  • Art at the Pavilion: We are actively looking for artists to display their work
    around the Pavilion.
  • We have added Computer Coding to our Holiday Activities in order to add broader appeal to our provision
  • We have also started to offer holiday sessions at Meadowlands in Tavistock
  • Work has started on adding sessions in Holsworthy in partnership with HASP

OCRA in Schools

OCRA holds the School Sports Co-ordinator (SSCO) role for Dartmoor MAT and Tavistock area schools and
our school sports calendars are looked on with envy by our neighbours for the number and diversity of events:

Multi-skills festivals twice a year; Dance festival; Swimming gala; Tag Rugby festival; Aquathlon; Castle Drogo and West Devon cross-country; Movement and Dance festival; Orienteering and Adventure festival; Cyclocross; Futsal; Tennis; Sports hall athletics; Cricket; Netball; and Football. Many of the schools we work with have achieved either gold or platinum awards in the School Games Accreditation

Our reach has increased with new primary schools accessing our services for the first time this year as well as a
change in our calendar to drive an increase in uptake from the schools.

Other news

  • Our first Festive 5k took place in December and we’ll look to improve upon its success this year
  • We allowed the Okehampton Flyers Gymnastic, Trampoline and DMT Club to separate from OCRA
    to allow its incredible growth and source additional funding opportunities.
  • 2019 Sports Festival added to a summer of events that included Dartmoor High ground running
    festival; the centenary celebrations of the Hockey Club; Pony Club Tetrathlons;

OCRA in 2020 and beyond….

OCRA Sporting MemoriesFunding has been sourced for our core charity funding from Okehampton United Charities and their continued support means that we can continue to prepare the charity for the years ahead

Funding for our target groups has been successful in support for those with long term health conditions, special needs, young people and those over 50 years old.

We are attempting to broaden our activities towards our recreational remit, this includes supporting the Fields in Trust national celebration of parks, outdoor cinema and a broader Sports and Fitness Festival

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Vacancy: Clerk to the Board

Terms : 4 hours per month
Salary : £9.50
Location : OCRA Pavilion
Closing date for applications : 25.02.2020
Anticipated start date : Immediate

An exciting opportunity to work with OCRA to maintain and develop sporting and recreational opportunities for Okehampton and the surrounding areas.

Accurate minute-taking, knowledge of corporate governance in the charity or business sectors & effective communication skills, are essential.

Hours will average 4 per month covering 4-6 meetings per annum, early evenings.

We will consider applicants who wish to combine this role with our administrator roles.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 26 February

The full job description is available to download here: Clerk to Board of Trustees Job Description

The person specification to accompany the job description can be found here: Person Specification – Clerk to the Board of Trustees (App Info) – Jan 2020

Brief terms of employment for applicants can be found here: OCRA Applicant Terms Overview.docx

To apply (or for more information) please send CV and Covering Letter to ian@ocrasport.org.uk

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OCRA Empowering 18-24 year olds with Confidence and Motivation Workshops

Empowering Enterprise 18-24Okehampton Community and Recreation Association (OCRA) have partnered with South Devon based company I Can Do That to provide a series of confidence and motivation workshops for those who are 18-24 years old and not in employment. The delivery will take place at OCRA’s Pavilion in the Park, with Simmons Park as the backdrop it will be promoting mental health as a fundamental part for those accessing it. Continue reading OCRA Empowering 18-24 year olds with Confidence and Motivation Workshops

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OCRA Charity Fun Run and Festive Market

Festive Fun Run and Christmas MarketSunday December 15th saw more than 50 jolly joggers of all ages take part in Okehampton Community and Recreation Association’s (OCRA) Festive 5k Fun Run. The event, in aid of OCRA, saw runners and walkers decked out in festive dress take on the two lap course around Simmons Park and Okehampton College’s grounds. Continue reading OCRA Charity Fun Run and Festive Market