Reference needed not worked for 4 years due to illness

[Newtoallthis2023]

Due to serious illness, I got signed off work back in 2020. This year, my health has started to improve a lot. So now, I'm looking to volunteer a few hours a week. The application needs a work reference, and I'm completely stuck on a work one.
Do I use my previous employer from 4 years ago? Don't really want to as I had a lot of time off due to illness.
I have plenty of character references, just not work ones...
Any advice would be much appreciated x

Can you check with your previous employer what they will provide as a reference? So so many places will only confirm the dates you worked there and possibly job title. If that’s the case for your previous employer then let the charity contact them.

If you were dismissed from them for grievous misconduct or something like that, they may have a different process, but so many companies don’t want the hassle of providing that kind of reference.

DH manages volunteers. What they're likely looking for in a reference is confirmation that you weren't sacked for fraud or punching a colleague or something, and that you are who you say you are. Finding out you left your last job after a lot of sickness shouldn't be a problem for them - a lot of people use volunteering to get back in after long term illness and it's a way for charities to get really good people for free while they get back on their feet.

I applied for a job in January after 12 years out of the workplace. (Sahm) I checked with my last employer, and they were happy to give me a reference
(Same manager I worked for) and there was no issue with the new employer on how old the reference was.