LATEST FVAF NEWS Two brilliant people, two exciting new roles! We’re really pleased to share some good news. As part of a strategic restructure, we’ve created two new senior roles – and we’re delighted that both have been filled by people already at the heart of our organisation. These appointments recognise the talent, experience and deep community knowledge within our own team, and reflect our commitment to growing strong leadership from within. Deb Cook – Head of Development After more than a decade with FVAF, Deb’s promotion feels like a natural next step. She has played a huge role in building relationships, championing co-design, and helping turn bold ideas and community stories into meaningful change. As Head of Development, Deb will lead our development strategy – strengthening partnerships, supporting innovation, amplifying community voices, and helping us test and grow new approaches that align with our Theory of Change. Chris Brown, CEO at FVAF said: “After 11 years with FVAF championing volunteering and community groups, I could not be more thrilled to see Deb moving into this exciting new role within the organisation. Deb will bring fresh ideas, energy, and passion to drive innovation in our communities and help grow all the things which make the Forest of Dean such a brilliant place.” Alex Digby – Community Manager We’re equally pleased to announce Alex’s move into the newly created role of Community Manager. Alex will lead our Community Team, supporting projects that put local people in the driving seat, build strong connections, and unlock the skills and assets already present across the Forest of Dean. This role sits right at the heart of our commitment to community-led action and advocacy. “It has been fantastic to watch and support Alex’s growth in our organisation over the last few years, and I am delighted that he has secured this exciting promotion. Alex is a role model for strengths-based working, and he has excelled at building strong relationships across the county in his role as Digital Projects Manager. I am confident that Alex will provide strong leadership to our Community team and look forward to supporting his continued growth with FVAF.” said Nick Penny, Head of Operations at FVAF. Both of these appointments reflect our belief in investing in people and recognising internal talent. They will play a key role in shaping FVAF’s future and deepening our impact across the Forest of Dean. We couldn’t be prouder to see Deb and Alex step into these roles. For media enquires contact communications@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073. -END - Notes to editor: Established in 1994, Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) is the Voluntary Service Council and Volunteer Centre for the Forest of Dean The charity offers support to local citizens, community groups and activities including support and development advice, training, networking meetings, facilitating representation, volunteer recruitment, volunteer placement and support In addition, FVAF delivers projects with and for the local community, including Youth Support Service, Holiday Activity and Food Programme, The Gloucestershire Digi Partnership, The Forest Compass Directory, Walking with Wheels Head office - Forest Voluntary Action Forum, Ow Bist – Forest Community Space, Dockham Rd, Cinderford , Glos. GL14 2AN.

Two brilliant people, two exciting new roles! READ MORE Frequently visited pages: COMMUNITY HUBS VOLUNTEER ADVICE YOUTH SUPPORT Wat is FVAF? FVAF staan vir Forest Voluntary Action Forum. Ons bied ondersteuning aan plaaslike burgers, gemeenskapsgroepe en aktiwiteite om die dinge te doen wat vir hulle die meeste saak maak. Dit sluit die volgende in: ondersteuning en ontwikkelingsadvies opleiding inligting netwerkvergaderings verteenwoordiging te fasiliteer vrywillige werwing vrywilliger plasing en ondersteuning Ons bedryf ook baie projekte saam met en vir die plaaslike gemeenskap, soos die Forest of Dean Jeugvereniging, Vakansie-aktiwiteitsveldtogte, The Forest Youth Music Network, The GEM Project, The Forest Compass Directory, Walking with Wheels en vele meer. Kyk na ons Projekte-bladsy vir volledige besonderhede. "Bou sterker gemeenskappe in die Bos van Dean" Vind meer uit JOIN OUR MAILING LIST Get the latest community news and check out exciting volunteering opportunity in or around the Forest of Dean... Gaan na Facebook Useful publications: FREE directory of the many volunteering opportunities available locally... DOWNLOAD Ons Vennote We work with so many amazing and supportive partners. Find out more here... How to contact us Forest Voluntary Action Forum Ow Bist Forest Community Space Dockham Road Cinderford , Glos. GL14 2AN Email us: contact@fvaf.org.uk Tel: 01594 822073 Copyright © 2021 Forest Voluntary Action Forum. All Rights Reserved. Forest Voluntary Action Forum is a charity (1141126) and company limited by guarantee (07557852) registered in England and Wales. The registered address is The Belle Vue Centre, Cinderford, Glos, GL14 2AB. Travelling in the Forest of Dean Forest Of Dean Climate Action Partnership has created a handy interactive guide to travelling in the Forest of Dean. DOWNLOAD HERE

Our Team. Our head office is based in Cinderford but everyday you will meet members of the FVAF team out and about supporting the community and building strong partnerships with other local organisations and groups... Chris Brown Chief Executive Officer Nick Penny Head of Operations Deb Cook Head of Development Catherine Best Communications & Fundraising Manager Teresa Allewell Finance Manager Cherry Potter-Irwin Finance & Administration Officer Fliss Simister Youth Association Manager Lisa Robertson Youth Development Officer Katy Virgo Youth Development Officer Courtney Middleton Project Coordinator Lauren Greening Youth Development Project Manager Jodie Atkins Youth Support Worker Krissie Carter Neighbourhood Connector Mark Evans Neighbourhood Connector Alex Digby Community Manager Melanie Benn Community Builder Teresa Rose Community Connectors' Facilitator Pete Harper Community Connector Natasha Nelson Working with Forest Food Network Piers Cardiff Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership Coordinator Becky Moorcroft Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership Coordinator Meet our trustees. We have a highly skilled board of trustees who meet regularly to monitor, challenge and guide what FVAF does now, and in the future. Bob Rhodes Chair of Trustees Josh Bond Vice Chair of Trustees Jonathan Gault Trustee - Treasurer Sid Phelps Trustee Roger Deeks Trustee Rob Toomer Trustee Diana Martin Trustee Louise Penny Trustee Interested in becoming a FVAF Trustee? Talk to us! Contact Chris is ceo@fvaf.org.uk 01594 822073

Youth Support in the Forest of Dean FVAF Youth Team Here to offer help and support to young people and youth clubs, groups or organisations. Discover more Local Youth Clubs Check out the timetable of regular youth clubs and events What's on offer NEW! Universal Youth Services We’ve joined forces Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and The Venture Community Hub, to make a real difference in the lives of young people Discover more

YOUTH CLUBS & ACTIVITIES TUESDAY Blakeney Youth Club | 6pm-8pm Cinderford Rd, Blakeney GL15 4AE Open Access youth group for local young people ORGANISATION: Blakeney YC and FVAF Forest Youth Project | 4:30pm-8pm (alternate Tuesdays) The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH LGBTQ+ young people 10-16yrs ORGANISATION: Wye River Festival and FVAF THURSDAY Coleford Youth Hub (Juniors) | 4pm-6pm The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH Open Access youth group for Years 5 & 6 (Every Thursday) ORGANISATION: FVAF in partnership with Coleford Town Council Coleford Youth Hub (Seniors) | 6:30pm-8:30pm The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH Open Access youth group for Years 7 & 8 (Last Thursday of month) ORGANISATION: FVAF in partnership with Coleford Town Council OTHER ACTIVITIES Beezee Families| 4pm-6:30pm The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH Healthy families 8 week programme (by referral; please contact FVAF for rolling start dates) ORGANISATION: BeeZee Maximus and FVAF Work It Out | TBC The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH Targeted support for young people not in education, training and employment ORGANISATION: FVAF Youth Support Team ASTON | 6pm-8pm The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH Targeted ASB and crime prevention (by referral; please contact FVAF for dates) ORGANISATION: PCSO’s and FVAF To find out more contact hi.ya@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073

COMING SOON! Universal Youth Services We’re thrilled to announce our new partnership to bring Open Access Universal Youth Services to Gloucester and the Forest of Dean! Together with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and The Venture Community Hub (TVCH), we’ve joined forces to make a real difference in the lives of young people. Guided by GGT, in the Forest of Dean FVAF will be leading on supporting a wide range of services for young people aged 11 to 19 (or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities). Our youth services will be available to everyone, focusing on the needs of the local community to create a more connected, supported, and engaging youth sector. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to be part of something amazing! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT... Gloucestershire Gateway Trust The Venture Community Hub

Bos Jeugvereniging Forest of Dean Jeugvereniging is hier om hulp en ondersteuning aan jongmense en jeugklubs, groepe of organisasies te bied. Maak nuwe vriende Raak betrokke by jou gemeenskap Streef 'n belangstelling na Probeer iets nuuts Leer nuwe vaardighede Vrywilliger Maak 'n beter wêreld Vrywilligerswerk Daar is baie vrywilligersgeleenthede vir beide jongmense en volwassenes. As jy 'n jong persoon is wat vrywillige werk soek om in jou vrye tyd te doen, om meer vaardighede op te doen of as deel van jou DofE-program, bel ons asseblief of besoek https://do-it.org/ Net so, as jy 'n volwassene is wat vaardighede en kennis het of jy 'n jeugorganisasie binne die Forest of Dean wil ondersteun, kontak asseblief, want daar is baie organisasies wat jou ondersteuning sal waardeer. Geaffilieerde lidmaatskap vir jou klub / organisasie Wanneer jy by Forest of Dean Youth Association geaffilieer is, sal jy geregtig wees op ons volle reeks dienste, wat advies en ondersteuning bied in alle aspekte van die bestuur van 'n organisasie soos joune. Ons hou ook 'n kalender van aktiwiteite waaraan u vrywilligers en jongmense teen 'n nominale koste kan deelneem. Vir volledige besonderhede van die voordele of om jou klub te registreer, klik op die volgende skakels Jeugvereniging-lidmaatskapvoordele vir klubs Jeugvereniging-lidmaatskapvorm vir klubs Kontakbesonderhede vir meer inligting As jy meer wil weet oor enige van ons projekte of geleenthede of hoe om betrokke te raak, kontak asseblief ons Jeugvereniging Ontwikkelingsbeampte, Alethea Bumpstead op FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk For More Information If you would like to know about any of our projects or events or how to get involved, please get in touch with us at hi.ya @fvaf.org.uk Finansiële ondersteuning Forest of Dean Youth Association ontvang met trots finansiële ondersteuning van Cinderford en Coleford Town Councils. As jou gemeente of dorpsraad meer wil weet oor Forest of Dean Jeugvereniging of hoe jy ons kan ondersteun, kontak asseblief deur e-pos FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk

Our team transforms Local Spaces during Volunteers Week 2025 We rolled up our sleeves this week and got stuck in with some fantastic Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) as part of Volunteers Week 2025! We got out about in the local community to two fantastic local community groups: Team Paint Squad grabbed their brushes and got stuck in with smiles on their faces (and paint on their clothes!) to transform the Forest Fighting Fit studio with a fresh coat of paint - brightening up their space, recovery room, and bathrooms. Team Green Fingers headed down to Steam Mills to work their magic at the community garden for Cinderford Grows. Armed with gloves, tools, and plenty of enthusiasm, our team tackled overgrown areas, cleared stubborn weeds, and gave the pathway a beautiful fresh layer of wood chippings. Deb Cook, FVAF's Volunteering Manager said: "We all had a blast and were reminded that volunteering can be both rewarding and great fun!" A huge thank you to Forest Fighting Fit and Cinderford Grows for welcoming us with open arms.

Oor FVAF Oor FVAF Ons storie Ons is die Vrywillige Diensraad en Vrywilligersentrum vir die Bos van Dekaan. Ons bied hulp aan baie van die honderde vrywillige en gemeenskapsorganisasies in die Distrik wat op hul beurt beter in staat is om hul werk in en vir die plaaslike gemeenskap te lewer. Sedert ons in 1994 gestig is, het ons 'n reputasie ontwikkel om gemeenskapsoptrede regdeur die Forest of Dean aan te moedig, te omhels en te versterk. Ons glo dat ons burgers deur gemeenskapsgeleide benaderings in staat stel om die vaardighede, veerkragtigheid en sosiale kapitaal te ontwikkel om gelukkiger, beter gekoppelde lewens te lei. Kantoordienste Personeel en Trustees Beleide Toeganklikheid en Volhoubaarheid

Employment Skills Support Ready to take your next steps towards further education, volunteering or work? Go along to your nearest Community Hub for 121 conversations with our friendly Community Builders. They can help: Explore what matters to you Develop your CV Signposting to education, training and employment Consider volunteering opportunities Increase your confidence for online searches, applications, interviews Take up opportunities to get involved in your local community For more information please contact: community@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073

Current job vacancies at FVAF Work for us. We are passionate about nurturing talented, compassionate, community minded team players. Join our friendly and supportive team! WE DON'T HAVE ANY VACANCIES RIGHT NOW - CHECK BACK SOON! Trouble downloading the documents? Contact communications@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073