Help us create a mural celebrating the Forest of Dean's tradition of community action ! We're creating a mural to celebrate our incredible heritage of community action, mutual support, and resilience! From our mining traditions to welcoming Ukrainian families, from river fishing to friendly societies – we want to hear all the stories that matter. The finished mural will be painted on the side of Ow Bist - Forest Community Space, Dockham Road, Cinderford, creating a lasting tribute to our community's story. We've held two drop-in workshops, led by local artist Tom Cousins, where we invited the community to come along and share their amazing stories and ideas about what makes our area special. Couldn't Make It to the Workshops? We Still Want to Hear From You! We've created the below online survey – so you can still contribute your memories, stories, and ideas for the mural. Whether you've lived here all your life or recently made this place home, your perspective is valuable. What We're Looking For Personal stories that capture the spirit of our community Memories of local traditions, places, or events Examples of how neighbours have supported each other What makes you proud to be part of this community Ideas for images or symbols that represent our shared heritage Share your thoughts and ideas below: Your Forest of Dean Stories Your name (optional) How long have you lived in/been connected to the Forest of Dean area? 1. What does community spirit mean to you in the Forest of Dean? 2. Which of these themes resonate most with your experience of our area? (Tick all that apply) Food & Resources (traditional land use, fishing, growing food, sharing resources) Landscape & Environment (rivers, mining heritage, how place shapes community) Arts & Culture (music, festivals, creative traditions) Community Action (mutual aid, rights movements, defending our heritage) Settlers & Diversity (different communities who've made this area home) 3. What's a story, memory, or tradition from the Forest of Dean that you think should be celebrated in the mural? 4. Are there particular people, groups, or movements (historical or recent) that represent the community spirit of our area to you? 5. What would you like visitors and future generations to understand about the Forest of Dean community? Would you be interested in helping with the mural painting in August? Yes - I'd love to help paint! No, but I support the project Email details (if you'd like updates) Submit

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

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

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.

The podcast kit is also available for hire to voluntary community groups. For more information on The Community Action Pod and ways to get involved contact the Host Melanie Benn on melanie@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073. Produced by Forest Voluntary Action Forum Funded by the Barnwood Trust Digital Inclusion Fund

বন যুব সমিতি ফরেস্ট অফ ডিন ইয়ুথ অ্যাসোসিয়েশন এখানে যুবক-যুবতীদের এবং যুব ক্লাব, গোষ্ঠী বা সংস্থাগুলিকে সাহায্য ও সহায়তা প্রদানের জন্য। নতুন বন্ধু বানাও আপনার সম্প্রদায়ের সাথে জড়িত হন একটি স্বার্থ অনুসরণ করুন নতুন কিছু চেষ্টা করুন নতুন কিছু শিখুন স্বেচ্ছাসেবক একটি সুন্দর পৃথিবী তৈরি করুন স্বেচ্ছাসেবক তরুণ এবং প্রাপ্তবয়স্ক উভয়ের জন্যই প্রচুর স্বেচ্ছাসেবী সুযোগ রয়েছে। আপনি যদি একজন যুবক হন যে আপনার অবসর সময়ে স্বেচ্ছাসেবী কাজ করতে চান, আরও দক্ষতা অর্জন করতে বা আপনার DofE প্রোগ্রামের অংশ হিসাবে অনুগ্রহ করে আমাদের একটি কল করুন বা ভিজিট করুন https://do-it.org/ একইভাবে, আপনি যদি একজন প্রাপ্তবয়স্ক হন যার দক্ষতা এবং জ্ঞান রয়েছে বা আপনি ফরেস্ট অফ ডিনের মধ্যে একটি যুব সংগঠনকে সমর্থন করতে চান, তাহলে অনুগ্রহ করে যোগাযোগ করুন কারণ অনেক সংস্থা রয়েছে যারা আপনার সমর্থনের প্রশংসা করবে। আপনার ক্লাব/সংস্থার জন্য অনুমোদিত সদস্যপদ আপনি যখন ফরেস্ট অফ ডিন ইয়ুথ অ্যাসোসিয়েশনের সাথে অধিভুক্ত হন তখন আপনি আমাদের পরিষেবার সম্পূর্ণ পরিসরের অধিকারী হবেন, যা আপনার মতো একটি সংস্থা চালানোর সমস্ত ক্ষেত্রে পরামর্শ এবং সহায়তা প্রদান করে। আমরা ক্রিয়াকলাপের একটি ক্যালেন্ডারও চালাই যা আপনার স্বেচ্ছাসেবক এবং যুবকরা নামমাত্র চার্জে অংশগ্রহণ করতে পারে। সুবিধার সম্পূর্ণ বিবরণের জন্য বা আপনার ক্লাব নিবন্ধন করতে, নিম্নলিখিত লিঙ্কগুলিতে ক্লিক করুন ক্লাবের জন্য যুব সমিতির সদস্যপদ সুবিধা ক্লাবের জন্য যুব সমিতির সদস্যপদ ফর্ম আরও তথ্যের জন্য বিস্তারিত যোগাযোগ করুন আপনি যদি আমাদের কোন প্রকল্প বা ইভেন্ট সম্পর্কে আরও জানতে চান বা কীভাবে জড়িত হতে চান, অনুগ্রহ করে আমাদের যুব সমিতি উন্নয়ন কর্মকর্তা, আলেথিয়া বাম্পস্টেডের সাথে যোগাযোগ করুন 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 আর্থিক সহায়তা ফরেস্ট অফ ডিন ইয়ুথ অ্যাসোসিয়েশন গর্বিতভাবে সিন্ডারফোর্ড এবং কোলফোর্ড টাউন কাউন্সিল থেকে আর্থিক সহায়তা পায়। যদি আপনার প্যারিশ বা টাউন কাউন্সিল ফরেস্ট অফ ডিন ইয়ুথ অ্যাসোসিয়েশন বা আপনি কীভাবে আমাদের সমর্থন করতে পারেন সে সম্পর্কে আরও জানতে চান, অনুগ্রহ করে ইমেল করে যোগাযোগ করুন FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk

Volunteer Heroes Crowned! The community turned out in force on Wednesday 7 September to see local volunteers crowned at a glittering awards celebration evening we held at the AccXel Training Centre in Cinderford. We created the Forest Volunteer Awards to recognise and celebrate the amazing efforts of local volunteers in the Forest of Dean. Earlier this Summer, we asked local people to nominate those volunteer heroes who have demonstrated exceptional and outstanding support to the local community over the past 12 months. The response was amazing and we received hundreds of nominations. An expert panel had the tough task of shortlisting the nominations and picking the winners. However, one category - Volunteer of the Year – Peoples’ Champion – was decided by a public vote with almost 900 votes cast. The winners were crowned at a special evening, held at the stunning conference space at the impressive AccXel Training Centre, which was provided for free to FVAF by local construction company the KW Bell Group, who were the main sponsors of the event. Volunteer of the Year went to Les Cockle, volunteer fundraiser at Great Oaks Hospice whilst Forest of Dean Host Ukrainians and Ukraine Community Hub jointly picked up the Community Voluntary Group of the Year. Young volunteers were celebrated with Keira Stone, volunteer at disability group, Together We Can crowed under 16 years old Young Volunteer of the Year, whilst in the 17 – 25 years old category, Chloe Whatley and Jordan Terrel were rewarded for their tireless hard work volunteering at the Sea Cadets in Lydney. Lisa Tootell was crowned Outstanding New Volunteer of the Year for her amazing impact for the Girl Guides in the Forest of Dean and Hips Social were recognised for supporting the local community and investing in improving the local area. The winners were presented with an award, a framed certificate and £100 Amazon voucher, kindly provided by sponsors the KW Bell Group. Deb Cook, Volunteering Manager at FVAF said “So much of what happens within our community is because of people who give their time and energy for free. We think that recognising the amazing efforts of volunteers and organisations is incredibly important which is why we have been so pleased by the reaction of the local people who have supported these awards by nominating and voting.” Deb added, “It has been an incredible evening and we are so lucky and proud of the strength of the amazing voluntary sector we have in the Forest.” Master of Ceremony for the Forest Volunteer Awards was Kate Clark, BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter who kept the guests entertained with her expert hosting skills. Award winners were announced by guest presenter; Roger Deeks (FVAF Trustee), Nicola Bird and Yvonne Bell (KW Bell and main sponsor), Sue Middleton (Verderer of the Forest of Dean), Andy Lewis MBE (PT2 Para triathlete), Neill Ricketts (Founder of Versarien and chair the Forest of Dean Economic Partnership). The celebration evening was made possible thanks to generous sponsorship for the following local organisations: KW Bell Group and AccXel Training Centre – main sponsors Hot Tubs Rock Versarien The Midcounties Co- Operative FOREST VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS: Volunteer of the Year – Peoples’ Champion WINNER: Les Cockle – Great Oaks Hospice Highly Commended: Hannah McGowan (FOD Hosts of Ukrainians Support Group), Martin Elsmore (The Golden Triangle Club), Steve Gregory (FVAF / Walking with Wheels) and Mark Jones (Community First Responder SWASFT) Community Voluntary Group of the Year WINNER: FOD Hosts of Ukrainians Support Group and Ukraine Community Hub Highly Commended: Together We Can, Newnham Archery Club, Dean Radio, The Friends of Longhope Church and The Rewild Project Outstanding New Volunteer WINNER: Lisa Tootell – Girlguiding FOD South Division Highly Commended: Sarah Maxfield – Berry Hill Memorial Institute Young Volunteer of the Year 16yrs & under WINNER: Keira Stone – Together We Can Highly Commended: Toby Niblett – Lydney Youth Hub Young Volunteer of the Year 17 – 25yrs JOINT WINNERS: Jordan Terrell and Chloe Whatley – FOD Sea Cadets Community Impact Award WINNER: HIPs Social Highly Commended: Recycle Shop CIC Newent and Wilde Earth Journeys

FVAF এর সদস্য হন FVAF এর সদস্য হয়ে আপনি আমাদেরকে স্বেচ্ছাসেবী এবং কমিউনিটি সেক্টরে একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ সহায়তা পরিষেবা প্রদান চালিয়ে যেতে সাহায্য করেন ডিনের বন । FVAF জেলা, কাউন্টি এবং জাতীয় পর্যায়ে উপযুক্ত যেখানে স্বেচ্ছাসেবী এবং সম্প্রদায়ের পদক্ষেপের জন্য একজন উকিল হিসাবে কাজ করে এবং আমরা যত বেশি সদস্যের প্রতিনিধিত্ব করি, আমাদের কণ্ঠ তত শক্তিশালী হয়। সদস্যদের তাই ফরেস্ট অফ ডিনের স্বেচ্ছাসেবী এবং সম্প্রদায় সেক্টরের উপর প্রভাব ফেলছে এবং একটি সংগঠন হিসাবে আমরা কী অর্জন করতে চাই সে বিষয়ে পরামর্শ করা হয়। একজন সদস্য হিসাবে, আপনি আমাদের অফিস পরিষেবাগুলিতে অ্যাক্সেস, মুদ্রণ এবং অনুলিপির হার হ্রাস, আপনার গ্রুপের জন্য স্বেচ্ছাসেবক শূন্য পদের প্রচার এবং বিভিন্ন অফিস সরঞ্জাম বিনামূল্যে ভাড়া উপভোগ করবেন। এটা অন্তর্ভুক্ত: ডিসপ্লে বোর্ড শ্রবণ লুপ ডিজিটাল প্রজেক্টর এবং স্ক্রিন পিএ সিস্টেম পৃষ্ঠা উলটানোর তালিকা লম্বা ভাঁজ টেবিল গরম জল খাওয়ার কলস গাজেবো (£5 অনুদান প্রয়োজন) আপনি যদি একজন FVAF সদস্য হতে চান তাহলে অনুগ্রহ করে ডানদিকে Join FVAF বোতামে ক্লিক করুন এবং ফর্মটি পূরণ করুন৷ আরও বিস্তারিত জানতে কল করুন 01594 822073 নম্বরে আমাদের সমস্ত সহায়তা পরিষেবা অ্যাক্সেস করার জন্য FVAF এর সদস্য হওয়া বিনামূল্যে FVAF-এ যোগ দিন

COMMUNITY CONNECTORS’ FORUM/KNOW YOUR PATCH NETWORK In-person event 14 June 2022 at The Wesley, Cinderford Event Feedback \ Thank you for participating in our event! Tell us what you thought about it. Name & organisation Please indicate on a scale of 1 – 10, where 1 is the most negative and 10 the most positive What was your overall impression of the day? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 What was your experience of the speakers? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Please share any comments about your overall impression of the day and the speakers What was your experience of the activities? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Please share any comments about the activities What was your experience of the refreshments? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Was there anything else that you feel could have been provided? What would you like to see in future events? Suggested speakers/format etc Your email Send Feedback Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us what training would help your organisation We're exploring how best to support the training needs of voluntary and community groups across the Forest of Dean. This might include hosting training ourselves, bringing in external trainers, or connecting you with existing resources and courses. Please complete this brief survey to let us know what would be most valuable for you. Your feedback will shape the support we're able to offer. Organisation Name: Your Role: Email Training Topics Which of the following topics would be most valuable for your organisation? (Please tick all that apply and add any others) Funding & Fundraising Marketing & PR Digital Skills/Using Technology Financial Procedures & Management Governance & Trustees Finding & Recruiting Volunteers Volunteer Management & Retention Embedding Climate Action Neurodiversity, Mental Health & Inclusion Safeguarding First Aid Health & Safety Food Hygiene Other Let us know your TOP 3 training needs: When Which days work best for you? (Tick all that apply) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Preferred times: (Tick all that apply) Morning (9am-12pm) Afternoon (1pm-5pm) Evening (6pm-8pm) Where How would you prefer to attend training? (Tick all that apply) In-person only Online only Hybrid (option to attend either way) No preference If in-person: Forest of Dean only Willing to travel How Which learning formats work best for you? (Tick all that apply) Workshops (group sessions) Online webinars/courses One-to-one support/mentoring Drop-in sessions Self-paced resources Peer learning/networking groups 5. Additional Information Are there any barriers that prevent you from accessing training? (e.g., cost, time, childcare, accessibility needs) Any other comments or suggestions? Submit