OK Club
What is the OK Club?
The OK Club (Oxford Kilburn Club) is a Christian youth club in Kilburn, north-west London. Set in the middle of a deprived inner city council estate, it runs various forms of outreach for young people in the local area. Established by OICCU members 50 years ago, it aims to release young people and their families from earthly and spiritual poverty through encouraging the development of new skills and presenting them with a clear outline of the Christian gospel. OICCU remains involved by assisting at their Friday evening clubs each week during term. We also provide prayer support and run a Holiday Bible Club over the summer. The OK Club also has strong links with Connexions (the student advice group). OICCU members are on hand each Friday to talk to any of the local kids who are interested in applying to university, as well as involved in organising mock interviews and trips to Oxford for those who are interested.
Friday evenings
OICCU volunteers assist at the club's two Friday evening activity groups during term:
Friday Club
This club runs from 4-6pm. It is for kids aged 8-11, and is regarded as a first point of contact between the OK Club and families on the estate. Each week we try to incorporate a time of discussion for the kids, where they'll have the chance to reflect on some issue that they are faced with every day. We encourage them to consider this from a Christian standpoint, and it gives us a great chance to share our faith with them. Throughout this club there will be children playing football in the gym, doing art and craft, playing pool, table tennis, air hockey, computer games, board games, mixing music in the studio, relaxing in the quiet room, cooking..... basically whatever they feel like! - and you can be involved wherever you want to help! It's a great way to get to know the kids and just relax on a Friday afternoon.
TGI Friday
TGI Friday is a discussion group for older children aged 13-18, running from 6.30-8.30pm. We follow a course similar to Christianity Explored. The aim is to encourage the kids to consider life's important issues, and to offer them a Christian perspective of this. There is a strong leadership team from the OK Club, however the input from Oxford students is vital in broadening the discussion and giving the kids the views of younger Christians. It's a great opportunity to share your faith, as well as acting as role models for those who aren't sure where they stand as well as for less mature Christians. OICCU volunteers will be given the material in advance that will be discussed/bible passages to be explored. Whilst no preparation is necessary, some students like to know what will be happening. During this club there is normally food provided so you shouldn't need to worry about getting hungry!!
OICCU students can help out at one or both clubs - is completely flexible!
Higher Education Help Clinic
From 4-8.30pm, local kids are aware that Oxford students will be at the OK Club, and may stop by for advice on applying for uni etc.
Who can go?
Absolutely anyone! Both guys and girls can help at any of the Friday evening clubs. The majority of our volunteers are Christians although this is not a policy of the club - in fact, the OK Club encourages us to bring our non-Christian friends along too! A team of between 2 and 6 of us go each week and we really need more people to give their time occasionally - just one evening a term is fine! Teams are made up of individuals, a bunch of friends and groups from college Christian Unions.
How do I get there?
We normally travel to London together, and this is typically by public transport although sometimes we're lucky enough to have a volunteer who has a car. The OK Club Rep will put everyone going that week in contact to make coordinating this really easy, as well as providing you with contact details of leaders at the Club. You can arrive and leave whenever suits you. Many volunteers choose to make the most of their evening in the capital and go out and have a meal in central London afterward (just 15 minutes away). The journey by car is much more direct and therefore much shorter - so do please say if you have a car!
You can view the instructions on how to get to the OK Club by public transport here. The postcode for the OK Club is NW6 5BP - enter this into http://www.theaa.com/ or similar website for directions by car from Oxford.
Interested?
You can sign up online on the sign up page. Jon Bilton, the College Groups Secretary and OICCU's representative for the OK Club will then contact you with some more details including email addresses of those who will be going with you. If you'd just like some more info then contact Jon at jonathan.bilton@merton.ox.ac.uk or check out the OK Club's own website at http://www.okclub.org.uk/.
Holiday Bible Club
As part of OICCU's national and international mission programme, we organise and run a holiday bible club for youth at the OK Club during the summer holiday. Please contact the OK Club rep for more info.
