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Community Engagement - NHS assets and services We are currently carrying out community engagement work in the Forest of Dean seeking information about the use of NHS assets and services. We would very much appreciate it if you could help provide information as part of this exercise. ​ We hope you will be able to provide answers to a few questions in a survey that should only take a few minutes to complete. Community Engagement Survey: Parish Councils First name Last name Email Job title Organisation/Group Continue

Gevallestudie: Mary Sullivan Mary is ondervoorsitter van die Forest of Dean Local History Society (LHS) en was van die begin af deel van die vorming van Foresters' Forest. Voordat die program eers 'n naam gehad het, het sy en die LHS 'n doelwit gehad om plaaslike geskiedenis na kinders en jongmense in die Bos te bring, en hierdie passie het haar rol as lid van die Raad gevorm. Mary het al lank bande met die Bos en was dekades lank 'n gereelde besoeker voordat sy uiteindelik in 2008 hierheen verhuis het toe sy afgetree het. Sy het vinnig 'n aktiewe lid van die LHS geword. “As 'n 'inkommer' het dit belangrik gevoel om by Forest of Dean-dinge betrokke te raak om gegrond te voel,” het Mary gesê. “Om te help om die Foresters' Forest-program te vorm, was 'n uitbreiding hiervan”, het sy verduidelik, “om op hierdie klein manier by te dra, het my meer gevoel gegee om te behoort”. Daar was baie oor Mary se rol op die Raad wat haar 'n gevoel van prestasie gegee het. "Om betrokke te wees by beplanning en dink op 'n hoër vlak was bevredigend in my aftrede," het sy gesê. “Ek het dit geniet om nuwe mense te ontmoet en saam te werk, en om te sien hoe idees tot stand kom.” Nou byna halfpad deur die program se befondsde tydperk, het Mary gesien hoe die aspirasies van haarself en die LHS verwesenlik word met 'n suksesvolle onderwysprogram wat beide Laer- en Sekondêre Skole by plaaslike geskiedenis en erfenis betrek. "Laerskool Lydbrook was 'n ware 'spoorblaser' om hul kurrikulum aan die geboude, natuurlike en kulturele erfenis van die Dekaan te koppel," het Mary gesê. Die werk van skole soos Lydbrook word nou deur middel van skoledeeldae na ander plaaslike skole versprei. "Dit was regtig aangenaam om te sien hoe onderwysers van regoor die area Foresters' Forest-projekte op ons minibustoere besoek en meer ontdek oor hoe hulle die ryk erfenis van die area kan bou tot onderrig en leer," het Mary gesê. “Ek was ook verheug dat soveel plaaslike skoolkinders die afgelope paar jaar hande op ervaring van argeologie kon opdoen deur ons gemeenskapsgrawe in Yorkley, Soudley en Ruardean te besoek.” Mary voel dat sy persoonlik baat gevind het deur haar vrywillige rol. “Ek het baie geleer oor die verskillende organisasies wat plaaslik werk en die belangrike werk wat hulle doen”, het sy verduidelik. Mary voel ook uiters trots op alles wat tot dusver bereik is deur die Foresters' Forest-program en sien uit daarna om te sien hoe hierop oor die volgende paar jaar voortgebou word. Vrywillig by Foresters' Forest Besoek Foresters' Forest Webwerf Teken in op Foresters' Forest nuusbrief

Gevallestudie: David Chaloner Die versorging van wilde ponies in die Forest of Dean het gehelp om die vrywilliger David Chaloner aktief te bly, van bewaring te leer en 'n werklike verskil aan sy plaaslike landskap te maak. David doen vrywilligers by The Foresters' Forest Conservation Grazing-projek, gelei deur Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Die projek het gebiede van wilde ponie- en beesteweiding in die Bos ingestel om habitat vir 'n groter verskeidenheid plante en wild te verbeter. David is deel van 'n span opgeleide Conservation Grazing-vrywilligers wat personeel van Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust help om na die weidende diere te kyk. Oor sy agtergrond met perde het David gesê: “Ek het vroeg afgetree weens probleme met my balans en visie. Ek het na Spanje verhuis waar ek leer perdry en vir die eerste keer bewus geword het van perde en hoeveel ek dit geniet het om rondom hulle te wees. ’n Snaakse ding is dat my toestand dit vir my onmoontlik maak om fiets te ry, maar dit lyk of perdry net goed werk, so hierdie wesens verteenwoordig iets baie spesiaal vir my.” Toe David teruggetrek het na die Forest of Dean, het vrywilligerswerk vinnig 'n belangrike deel van sy lewe geword. "Toe ons teruggetrek het na die Verenigde Koninkryk, was ons uiteindelik aangetrokke tot die Forest of Dean, want dit het net soos so 'n wonderlike plek gevoel," het hy gesê. “Ek het baie besig geraak met allerhande vrywilligerswerk sedert ek hierheen verhuis het. Vrywilligerswerk beteken vir my baie, dit hou my besig, aktief en verskaf struktuur en konstante belangstelling.” Die Conservation Grazing-projek het beteken dat David vir die eerste keer vrywilligerswerk en ponies kon kombineer. Hy het gesê: “Ek was nie bewus van Foresters' Forest totdat die Conservation Grazing-projek op die punt was om te begin nie en het vrywilligers vir veekontrole nodig gehad. Omdat perde regtig my ding is, toe ek die bordjies by Edgehills sien wat sê dat Exmoor Ponies kom, het ek aan die happie geknak om te help!” Oor sy ervaring met die projek het David gesê: “Om 'n voorraadkontroleerder te wees het 'n paar ware avonture by Edgehills behels. Ons het baie pret en speletjies gehad terwyl ons die ponies aangemoedig het om van een reservaat na die ander te beweeg, veral as dit modderig was! As vrywilligers praat ons met plaaslike mense oor rommel en om nie die ponies te voer nie, en ek dink dit het gehelp om mense bewus te maak van mense wat gereeld in die area stap.” Om die ponies van die Bos te leer ken was 'n spesiale deel van die projek vir David. "Om by die diere te wees en vir hulle te versorg, is vir my die hoogtepunt," het hy gesê. “Ek is mal daaroor in die somer wanneer jy tussen hulle kan inklim en as jy vir eeue stilstaan, kan hulle dalk opkom en jou ’n neus gee. Dit is 'n noukeurige balans wat ons as vrywilligers moes bereik, want ons het nodig dat die ponies saam met ons ontspanne voel sodat ons hulle kan kontroleer, maar ons wil hê hulle moet wild bly en hul afstand van lede van die publiek hou. Ons het hulle goed leer ken en het byname vir van die regte karakters.” Dit is nie net die ponies wat David besig hou nie. “Vrywilligerswerk het 'n sosiale element gebring wat ek nie verwag het nie,” verduidelik hy. “Gereelde besoeke aan die terrein is van kardinale belang en dit is nie ongewoon om tydens hierdie tyd ander lede van die vrywilligerspan te ontmoet nie. Ek het 'n paar goeie vriende gemaak en voel heeltemal in lus met die projek, veral deur ons Stock Checkers WhatsApp-groepe wat so 'n maklike hulpmiddel is om as 'n span te kommunikeer. “Ek voel wel dat ek 'n belangrike rol vervul, en die projekleiers het dit duidelik gemaak dat ons vrywillige betrokkenheid opreg waardeer word. Die rol is ’n werklike verantwoordelikheid en toewyding, so dit is wonderlik om gewaardeer te voel vir wat ek doen.” Die ponies van die Bewaringsweidingsprojek doen 'n belangrike werk vir die natuur, vreet plante wat oorheers soos braambos en vlinder, en vertrap varkens. Dit is 'n natuurlike manier om die grond te bestuur sodat 'n groter verskeidenheid diere en plante kan floreer, insluitend voëls, reptiele en insekte. David het reeds 'n verskil in die Bos opgemerk sedert hy as vrywilliger begin het. "Ek het baie geleer deur my betrokkenheid by die projek," het hy gesê. Die diere was my primêre belangstelling toe ek begin het, maar my bewustheid van die bewaringskwessies het geweldig gegroei. “Dit was fassinerend om die gevolge te sien gebeur. Ek het 'n sagte skoonmaak van die grond waargeneem, verskillende spesies is duideliker. Ek het geleidelik meer adders en 'n groter verskeidenheid voëls by Edgehills gesien. “Ek geniet my rol as 'n Aandeelkontroleerder heelhartig. Ek voel ek dra by tot die versorging van die Forest of Dean op 'n klein manier, en ek hoop om die Bewaringsweidingsprojek te ondersteun so lank as wat ek kan.” Werk vrywillig by Foresters' Forest Besoek Foresters' Forest Webwerf Teken in op Foresters' Forest-nuusbrief

IT’S OFFICIAL! We’re an inclusive employer We are super delighted to announce that we have been awarded a Gloucestershire Inclusive Employer Award! At a special event held at Stroud Brewery on Monday 17 October, we were presented with an award in recognition of our commitment to inclusive recruitment and the support we gave to three young people, with hidden disabilities, on the Kickstart Scheme. Two of the young people now work at FVAF and the third has successfully gained employment elsewhere. Team members told us they are more confident to talk about their own needs as well as support others; and it has given us greater confidence to encourage others to seek the benefits of diversity and inclusion in their own organisations. Cathy Griffiths, FVAF’S GEM Project Navigator, who accepted the award said: “Creating inclusive work practices is a long-term journey. So we are delighted to have got this award and our commitment to inclusivity will be shaping key actions now and for the year ahead.” The Gloucestershire Inclusive Employer awards, hosted by Inclusivity Works , were launched by the GEM Project. The scheme recognises employers who are committed to building an inclusive culture where diverse groups of people can come to work, feeling valued and confident to be themselves.

NEW Welcome Group comes to Coleford ​ Intergenerational social group to help support young people with disabilities MONDAY 15 AUGUST Read More Frequently visited pages: COMMUNITY HUBS VOLUNTEER ADVICE FOREST YOUTH ASSOCIATION 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...

Community Engagement - NHS assets and services We are currently carrying out community engagement work in the Forest of Dean seeking information about the use of NHS assets and services. We would very much appreciate it if you could help provide information as part of this exercise. ​ We hope you will be able to provide answers to a few questions in a survey that should only take a few minutes to complete. ​ ​ We would appreciate it if you could provide some information about the groups that you facilitate – and indicate whether these are within NHS buildings or other buildings. Community Engagement Survey: Community Groups First name Last name Email Job title Organisation/Group Continue

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 Programme Manager Teresa Allewell Finance & Operations Manager Catherine Best ​ Communications & Fundraising Manager Cathy Griffiths Development Manager Deb Cook Volunteering Manager Connor Grimshaw Facilities Manager Cherry Potter-Irwin Finance & Administration Officer VACANT Youth Association Manager Lisa Robertson Youth Development Officer Katy Virgo Youth Development Officer Courtney Middleton Project Coordinator Alex Digby Digital & Community Hubs Facilitator Melanie Benn Community Builder Teresa Rose Community Connectors' Facilitator Natasha Nelson ​ Forest Food Network Coordinator Simon Price MY Networks Project Manager Emily Timmins Parish Youth Worker Fliss Simister Children, Young People & Families Development Officer 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. Penny Hulbert Chair of Trustees Sid Phelps Vice Chair of Trustees Jonathan Gault Trustee - Treasurer Simon Murray Trustee Diana Martin Trustee Roger Deeks Trustee Bob Rhodes Trustee Sue Pritchard Trustee Louise Penny Trustee Vicky Head Trustee Christopher Walker Trustee Interested in becoming a FVAF Trustee? To find out more contact 01594 822 073 or contact@fvaf.org.uk

VOTING NOW OPEN! VOTING CLOSES 10PM THIS SUNDAY - ??? SEPTEMBER Volunteer of the Year 2023 - People's Champion Time to choose your champion... We recently asked you to nominate a local volunteer who has gone above and beyond for their community over the past 12 months, and/or has an inspiring story. ​ We had some cracking nominations, and it was an extremely hard task to narrow it down BUT after much deliberation, our panel of community experts have shortlisted 5 community heroes. To vote for your favourite by selecting ONE of the following volunteers: Check out the profiles of the shortlisted nominees below Martin Elsmore VOLUNTEER AT The Golden Triangle Club An essential member of the volunteer team at The Golden Triangle Club, Martin gives a huge amount of his time and thought into providing a safe, fun place for adults with Learning Disability in the Forest of Dean and beyond. ​ Martin goes above and beyond to make sure that the members have the best time by arranging a selection of activities including demonstrating his fantastic DJing skills at regular discos and organising theatre and shopping trips. For the members, this club is a lifeline and really enhances their enjoyment of life. Steve Gregory VOLUNTEER at Foresters’ Forest & FVAF Steve has an incredible volunteer story. V olunteering has helped re-build his life and confidence after a brain tumour about 4 years ago. Along with volunteering with Foresters' Forest on a variety of wildlife projects, he has become an advocate and trainer for the accessible Walking with Wheels project and has become FVAF's in-house photographer. FVAF recently received funding to send Steve on a course to learn how to teach Mindfulness Photography. He plans to use these new skills by sharing them with the Forest of Dean Community. He is an inspiration and a great story of how volunteering can change people's lives. Hannah McGowan VOLUNTEER at Forest of Dean Hosts Ukrainians The founder of the FOD Hosts of Ukrainians support group, Hannah has given, and continues to give hundreds of hours of her time to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Responding to the pressing need to help Ukrainian refugees, Hannah was the driving force in bringing the local community together to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive place for Ukrainians by matching hosts and guests. From raising money to pay for transport and everyday living costs, Hannah and her amazing community team provide advice and support to host families and financial and emotional aid to guests. Les Cockle VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISER at Great Oaks Hospice An amazing example of a dedicated and selfless fundraiser, for many years Les has worked tirelessly repairing and refurbishing donated bikes which he sells from his house 7 days a week. Every penny made from the sale of the bikes is donated to Great Oaks Hospice. In just two years Les has raised an incredible £43,000 for the hospice and this money has helped the hospice to provide the wonderful care and support they offer to individuals and families across the Forest of Dean. Mark Jones VOLUNTEER at SWASFT Community First Responder for South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust Despite working full-time at a local secondary school, Mark supports the local community as a first responder, providing emergency care around the Forest of Dean at least twice a week. Throughout the pandemic Mark volunteered thousands of hours and regularly attends cardiac arrests and falls, throughout the night whilst still going to work in the morning. Find our more about the Forest Volunteers Awards here: