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FVAF Appoints Nick Penny as Head of Operations FVAF is delighted to announce the appointment of Nick Penny to the newly created role of Head of Operations, effective 1 January 2026. Nick brings over five years of dedicated service to FVAF, where he has been instrumental in driving delivery of various community projects as Programme Manager. His promotion recognises his outstanding contribution to the organisation and his deep understanding of FVAF's community-rooted approach. In his new role, Nick will provide strategic leadership across FVAF's operational teams, programmes, and internal systems. He will oversee frontline delivery, ensure operational excellence, and lead the organisation's people-management functions. Reporting directly to the CEO, Nick will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, guiding FVAF's continued growth and impact. The Head of Operations role has been established to strengthen FVAF's infrastructure and ensure the organisation's delivery remains aligned with its TRIBE (Trust, Relational, Innovation, Bravery, Equity) values and Theory of Change. Chris Brown, FVAF CEO said: "Nick lives and breathes community. He is a fantastic role model within the organisation and his commitment to the Forest of Dean and FVAF is infectious. I am delighted that Nick will be taking this next step in his journey with us and am excited to see what we’ll achieve together”. Nick Penny said: “I am really excited by the opportunities that this new role brings for both my own personal development and the continued growth of the Charity. I am extremely grateful to our Board of Trustees for their support of Chris and the leadership team with this investment in developing our organisation. It is fantastic to wake up in the morning knowing that my role, and those of my colleagues, contribute so successfully to making a positive impact across our Forest of Dean community." 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 Forest of Dean Youth Association, Holiday Activity Campaigns, The Forest Youth Music Network, The Gloucestershire Digi Partnership, The Forest Compass Directory, Walking with Wheels FVAF receives some financial support from the Forest of Dean District Council and funds activities through external funding opportunities Head office - Forest Voluntary Action Forum, Ow Bist – Forest Community Space, Dockham Rd, Cinderford, Glos. GL14 2AN.

Hodanje sa točkovima Koristite jedan od Skuteri za mobilnost na svim terenima za pristup prekrasnim šumskim stazama sa svojom porodicom i prijateljima, bez obzira na vaše sposobnosti hodanja. The Forest of Dean je priznat centar za šetnju i vožnju biciklom i dobro je opslužen stazama i drugim površinskim pristupima. Za osobe sa tjelesnim invaliditetom, lošim zdravljem, senzornim oštećenjem ili nekim drugim inhibirajućim stanjem, međutim, može postojati potreba za nekom stručnom pomoći, specijalizovanim tumačenjem ili drugim odgovarajućim medijima kako bi im se omogućilo da uživaju u pogodnostima koje drugi uzimaju zdravo za gotovo. Ovo Šumarska šuma Projekat finansiran od Heritage Lottery, radeći zajedno sa Countryside Mobility pruža mogućnosti za više ljudi da pristupe Dekanskoj šumi. Walking with Wheels nudi skutere za kretanje po svim terenima (zvane Trampers) za iznajmljivanje iz Forest Holidays u Christchurchu i hotela Speech House. Trampersi su dostupni za unaprijed mapirane rute koje pružaju pogled na Symonds Yat, Biblins, Arboretum Cyril Hart i jezero Mallards Pike, da spomenemo samo neke. Ako želite saznati više o Hodanju s točkovima, pozovite 01594 822073 ili kontaktirajte nas putem emaila . Često Postavljena Pitanja Šta je 'Tramper'? Ko može koristiti ovu uslugu? Na kojim rutama ga mogu koristiti? Kada je moguće unajmiti? Kako mogu rezervirati? Koliko košta unajmiti Trampera? Šta ako nikada ranije nisam koristio jedan od ovih? Šta ako mi treba dodatna pomoć? Zašto moram postati član Countryside Mobility? Mogu li pomoći s ovim projektom? Šta ako trebam otkazati rezervaciju? Frequently Asked Questions

O FVAF-u Naša priča Mi smo Vijeće volonterskog servisa i Volonterski centar Dekanske šume. Pružamo pomoć mnogim od stotina dobrovoljnih i društvenih organizacija u Distriktu koje su zauzvrat sposobnije da obavljaju svoj posao ui za lokalnu zajednicu. Od osnivanja 1994. godine razvili smo reputaciju za ohrabrivanje, prihvaćanje i unapređenje djelovanja zajednice u cijeloj Dekanskoj šumi. Vjerujemo da kroz pristupe koje vodi zajednica omogućavamo građanima da razviju vještine, otpornost i društveni kapital kako bi živjeli sretnijim, bolje povezanim životima. Kancelarijske usluge Osoblje i povjerenici Politike Pristupačnost i održivost

Forest of Dean Mental Health Locality Partnership The Locality Partnership offers VCS and faith-based organisations the opportunity to meet with other professionals and voluntary groups who are supporting people with their mental health in the Forest of Dean. The Partnership is a collective of social care practitioners who are working towards a community response to the My Networks scoping project findings. By coming together, we hope to keep abreast of developments, begin partnership projects or create collaborative opportunities that can address what is needed for better mental health in the Forest of Dean. We are now an integral part of the wider Forest Know Your Patch network. Regular online meetings as well as live, in-person events are held where topics and projects are discussed and highlighted. As well as this, the FKYP works closely with other statutory organisations offering a platform to disseminate up-to-date information about services available in the community.

Udruženje Šumarske omladine Udruženje mladih Forest of Dean je tu da ponudi pomoć i podršku mladima i omladinskim klubovima, grupama ili organizacijama. Upoznati nove prijatelje Uključite se u svoju zajednicu Ostvarite interes Probajte nešto novo Naučite nove vještine Volontiraj Napravite bolji svijet Volontiranje Postoji mnogo prilika za volontiranje i za mlade i za odrasle. Ako ste mlada osoba koja traži volonterski rad u slobodno vrijeme, da stekne više vještina ili kao dio vašeg DofE programa, pozovite nas ili posjetite https://do-it.org/ Slično tome, ako ste odrasla osoba koja ima vještine i znanja ili želite podržati omladinsku organizaciju u okviru Dekanske šume, kontaktirajte nas jer postoje mnoge organizacije koje bi cijenile vašu podršku. Pridruženo članstvo za vaš klub/organizaciju Kada se učlanite u Udruženje mladih Forest of Dean, imat ćete pravo na naš cijeli niz usluga, koji nudi savjete i podršku u svim aspektima vođenja organizacije kao što je vaša. Također vodimo kalendar aktivnosti u kojima vaši volonteri i mladi mogu sudjelovati uz minimalnu naknadu. Za sve detalje o pogodnostima ili registraciju svog kluba kliknite na sljedeće linkove Pogodnosti članstva u omladinskom udruženju za klubove Obrazac za članstvo u udruženju mladih za klubove Kontakt podaci za više informacija Ako želite saznati više o bilo kojem od naših projekata ili događaja ili kako se uključiti, kontaktirajte našu službenicu za razvoj udruženja mladih, Alethea Bumpstead na 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 Finansijska podrška Udruženje mladih Forest of Dean s ponosom prima finansijsku podršku od gradskih vijeća Cinderforda i Coleforda. Ako vaše župno ili gradsko vijeće želi saznati više o Udruženju mladih Dekanska šuma ili kako nas možete podržati, kontaktirajte putem e-pošte FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk

Hodanje s točkovima: Često postavljana pitanja Šta je 'Tramper'? Tramper je pokretno vozilo za sve terene na električni pogon. Ima ograničenu brzinu do 4mph što je idealno za pratnju šetača ili male djece na biciklima. Potpuna specifikacija Trampera može biti pronašao ovde . Ko može koristiti ovu uslugu? Walking with Wheels je otvoren za sve starije od 14 godina i tjelesne težine ispod 25 stone koji otežano hodaju zbog privremenih ili trajnih poteškoća u kretanju. Na kojim rutama ga mogu koristiti? Dostupne rute uključuju do Symond's Yat Rock i dolje do rijeke Wye u Symond's Yat od Forest Holidays i Cyril Hart Arboretuma, Mallards Pike i dijelove porodične biciklističke staze od The Speech House. Mape ruta će biti dostavljene prilikom zapošljavanja. Kada je moguće unajmiti? Tramper je dostupan za iznajmljivanje od 9:00 do 5:00 7 dana u sedmici (zimi može biti kraće radno vrijeme kako bi se osigurao povratak prije sumraka). Kako mogu rezervirati? Molimo Vas da unaprijed rezervirate svoj Tramper prije dana, kako biste izbjegli razočaranje. Za rezervaciju kontaktirajte direktno skitnice. Za šumske praznike nazovite 01594 837165 Za The Speech House nazovite 01594 822607 Koliko košta unajmiti Trampera? Tramper košta samo 2,50 funti na sat. Za korisnike koji prvi put koriste tu je i godišnja članarina od £10 za Countryside Mobility ili £2,50 za dvonedeljnu sesiju degustacije. Šta ako nikada ranije nisam koristio jedan od ovih? Ne brinite! Vrlo su jednostavni i sigurni za rukovanje, a svaki korisnik će dobiti potpunu indukciju kako bi se osiguralo da se osjeća sigurno i ugodno da se uhvati u koštac s našim nevjerovatnim stazama. Šta ako mi treba dodatna pomoć? Molimo da svi budu u pratnji na stazama kako biste uvijek imali nekoga sa sobom. Ako želite isprobati Trampera, prije nego što ga unajmite, pozovite jedan od naših centara da se dogovorimo. Zašto moram postati član Countryside Mobility? Countryside Mobility je odgovorna za obezbjeđivanje Trampera i to je razlog zašto se oni nude po tako pristupačnoj cijeni. Oni također rade na tome da osiguraju da svaka stranica koja ugošćuje Tramper to čini na siguran i lako dostupan način. Ovo članstvo će vam također omogućiti da koristite bilo koji od Trampera na mnogim lokacijama za seosku mobilnost širom jugozapada. Za više informacija posjetite web stranicu Countryside Mobility . U centru možete popuniti formulare za članstvo prije zapošljavanja. Mogu li pomoći s ovim projektom? Walking with Wheels oslonite se na volontere koji promoviraju našu uslugu. Ako ste zainteresovani da pomognete u širenju informacija o našoj usluzi, ili želite da pomognete na neki drugi način, pozovite 01594 822073 ili pošaljite e-mail na walkingwithwheels@fvaf.org.uk . Biće obezbeđena puna obuka i podrška. Šta ako trebam otkazati rezervaciju? Molimo vas da o otkazivanju obavijestite najmanje 24 sata kako bismo mogli iznajmiti Tramper drugom korisniku. Za otkazivanje molimo kontaktirajte stranicu na kojoj ste rezervirali What is a Tramper Who can use this service What routes can I use it on When is it available to hire How can I book one How much does it cost What if I've never used one of these before What if I need additional help Why do I have to become a member of CM Can I help wit this project What if I need to cancel a booking

Share Your Vision for the Forest of Dean – New Online Ways to Join the Conversation Have your say on the Forest's future – including potential UNESCO Biosphere designation. Residents across the Forest of Dean can now take part in shaping the area's future, from the comfort of their own home, with new online platforms that have just launched as part of a major community engagement project. Forest of Dean District Council has commissioned Wylderne to explore what the future could look like for this distinctive working Forest – including the possibility of UNESCO Biosphere designation – and everyone is invited to have their say. We've been supporting Wylderne with reaching the community and we're excited to launch 2 new digital opportunities to make it easier for everyone to contribute. Open to the whole community, residents can join facilitated video discussions in AI-Moderated Video Chat Rooms. A text-Based conversation platform is also being used to allow people to share thoughts and ideas through online discussion forums AI-Moderated Video Chat Room - sign up HERE Text Based conversation - take part HERE What's it all about? Our unique landscape has created a remarkable history and culture. But what will be the next chapter for this working Forest? What could a future look like that's rooted in our beautiful landscape and the stories that have forged our local identity? As part of these conversations, we'll also explore whether becoming a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve could help bring out the potential we know is here. A Biosphere is a place where communities learn how to protect biodiversity AND develop sustainably – finding local solutions to global challenges. But this is a genuine conversation about possibilities, not a done deal. We want to hear from YOU We're using an innovative approach that starts by asking what you value and treasure about the Forest. What stories make you proud? What are our strengths? What would you like to see in our future? Visit https://www.fdean.gov.uk/forest-of-dean-s-unesco-biosphere-bid or https://www.wylderne.com/ for more information. What is a UNESCO Biosphere? There are 759 Biosphere Reserves in 136 countries, with 7 already in the UK (including North Devon, Isle of Wight, and Dyfi in Wales). They're places for innovation – where communities work out how human beings and nature can live side by side so both can thrive. Cllr Chris McFarling, who represents Sedbury and St Briavels on Forest of Dean District Council, said: "A business as usual approach has seen continued declines in species, increased development, and increased pollution of our rivers. Becoming a Biosphere will tell the international community that there is something special and unique about the natural environment and the culture of the people of the Dean." Get involved Your insights will help shape a report that will be completed in early March 2026, feeding into the potential Biosphere application and helping guide our Forest's future direction. For more information: Visit: www.wylderne.com Contact: Paul Pivcevic, 07968 472317 or Catherine Best, communications@fvaf.org.uk

Recovery & Wellbeing Café “A Community Created Curriculum of Curious Conversations” Weekly Face-to-Face Discussions & Recovery Educational Sessions Each Wednesday (Term Time) at Café 16 in Coleford from 6-8pm. “A safe space to create who you are, not be told what to think.” Join conversations with a diverse range of people with professional & lived experience of different subjects, local people who have gained understandings about the impact current concerns have upon mental health, recovery and wellbeing. We are building a supportive space where, as critical friends, we can learn together and support each other with our individual understandings. All curious & compassionate folk welcome.

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

welcoming & vibrant community hub - for hire Since taking on the 25 year lease of the former Dockham Road GP surgery, we have been working at a pace to create a welcoming and vibrant community hub that offers wrap-around support and improves access to community services. To date we have transformed the building's exterior with wooden cladding, resprayed windows and doors, and a new sign. Inside, we have created of a flexible training and events space , along with permanent office space for support agencies and community organisations. Thanks to funding from Cinderford Town Council, Ow Bist now features a Changing Places toilet to ensure accessibility for the entire community. 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 What to find out more? Interested in hiring the space? Contact us at contact@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073 The whole team loved the space you have at Ow Bist, but also really valued the partnership approach. Hirer at Ow Bist