Mycelium My Networks Mental Health Project Mycelium - Forest Mental Health Project The Mycelium Project aims to create an infrastructure in the Forest of Dean that: Influences change in statutory services for mental health services and support. Provides training to build a network of Lived Experience Practitioners who will support peer workers in the healthcare and voluntary and community sector. Offers support, supervision, safeguarding, visibility, and accountability. Click on the image to find out more information: Forest of Dean Mental Health Locality Partnership Peer Development Recovery & Wellbeing Café Resource Hub/Library

FVAF Community Celebration & AGM 2023 FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2024 | 11AM - 2PM Ow Bis - Forest Community Space, Dockham Road GL14 2AN We are inviting the whole community to join us in celebrating the work FVAF has done over the last 12 months for, and with communities across the Forest of Dean PLUS it’s our 30th anniversary this year and we’re ready to celebrate! Refreshments and a delicious buffet lunch will be provided. Places are limited - please book your ticket ASAP READ THE AGM NOTICE BELOW: BOOK YOUR TICKET

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!

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

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

Forum konektora zajednice - Upoznajte svoju mrežu zakrpa Supporting Strong and Thriving Communities with Know Your Patch Podrška jakim i uspješnim zajednicama uz pomoć Know Your Patch Know Your Patch dio Foruma za povezivanje zajednice (CCF) povezuje volonterski i društveni sektor, zakonske službe i lokalno stanovništvo na način koji stvara bolje načine rada. The Forest of Dean Know Your Patch Network je dizajnirana da poveže volonterski i društveni sektor, zakonske službe i lokalno stanovništvo na način koji stvara bolje načine rada koji na kraju jača naše zajednice. Ova 'ponuda zajednice' je posebno vitalna u sprečavanju ili odlaganju eskalacije zdravstvenih potreba. Domaćini smo tromjesečnih događaja u cijeloj Dekanskoj šumi gdje pozivamo zainteresirane strane da se pridruže diskusiji o tome šta je važno u njihovoj zajednici i kako usluge i grupe dobrovoljnog sektora mogu pomoći u tome. Svaki događaj Know Your Patch je BESPLATAN i otvoren za sve koji žele biti dio razgovora. Ako želite da prisustvujete, pozovite na 01594 822073 ili e-mail help4groups@fvaf.org.uk . Također šaljemo redovne e-poruke i ažuriranja našoj mreži Know Your Patch o tome šta se dešava u Forest of Dean. Ako se želite pridružiti ovoj mreži, pretplatite se ovdje . Zahvaljujući finansiranju iz Gloucestershire County Council , Know Your Patch je također dostupan u svakom drugom okrugu u Gloucestershireu. Ako želite saznati više o njima, posjetite ovdje . Evo nekih istraživanja koja potcrtavaju naše razmišljanje: "Svi mi moramo odigrati ulogu u pomaganju pojedincima i zajednicama da razviju društveni kapital. Sve je više uviđanje da iako socijalno ugrožene grupe i zajednice imaju niz složenih i međusobno povezanih potreba, one također imaju sredstva na društvenom i društvenom nivou koji mogu pomoći u poboljšanju zdravlja i jačanju otpornosti na zdravstvene probleme" (The Kings Fund, 2018.) "Oni sa adekvatnim društvenim odnosima imali su 50 posto veću stopu preživljavanja u poređenju sa pojedincima sa lošim društvenim odnosima" (Holt-Lunstad et al 2010.) „Društvene mreže su se pokazale kao moćni prediktori smrtnosti kao i uobičajeni način života i klinički rizici kao što su umjereno pušenje, prekomjerna konzumacija alkohola, pretilost i visoki kolesterol i krvni tlak“ (Pantell et al 2013; Holt-Lunstad et al, 2010) . „Društvena podrška je posebno važna u povećanju otpornosti i promicanju oporavka od bolesti“ (Pevalin i Rose, 2003.) „Nedostatak društvenih mreža i podrške otežava samoregulaciju ponašanja i izgradnju snage volje i otpornosti tokom vremena, što dovodi do uključivanja u nezdrava ponašanja“ (Cacioppo i Patrick 2009). "Učešće u zajednici smanjuje izolaciju, isključenost i usamljenost" (Farrell i Bryant 2009; Sevigny et al 2010; Ryan-Collins et al 2008) „Snažan društveni kapital poboljšava šanse za izbjegavanje rizika od načina života kao što je pušenje“ (Folland 2008; Brown et al, 2006) Autumn Programme 2025 September 2nd (Short) Thriving Communities The TC grant was launched in August. Come along and find out more about it and hear about the work that has been funded through the scheme. 16th (Short) Digital Inclusion Strategy – Stakeholder Engagement with GCC This session will be led by those involved in the Digital Inclusion Project in Gloucestershire. 30th (Short) Health in the Forest A focus on health-related matters and support that is available in our locality. October 14th (In-person) Spotlight on Cinderford This meeting will take the form of a walk around the town visiting some of the projects that are being led by FKYP members and partners. We will meet at Ow Bist Forest Community Space and follow a route round Cinderford. 28th (Short) FODCAP Update Come along and hear about developments and updates on project in the Forest. November 11th (Short) Community Support Showcasing the work of several community groups who work for the benefit of the Forest Community. 25th (Long) Health in the Forest Another session where we will focus on health-related matters and support that is available in our locality. Please note The meeting on October 14th will be in-person and an opportunity for all those attending to network. All other meetings are online on MS Teams. The invitation will be sent out at the beginning of the season and then the link will be added to the regular reminder email – together with meeting notes from the previous session and the Agenda for the meeting If you would like to deliver a presentation at a forthcoming meeting or there is a topic that you would like to be addressed, please contact Teresa Rose, FKYP Facilitator at fodkyp@fvaf.org.uk to discuss this further. We look forward to seeing you in the forthcoming weeks.

Photo: L to R County Cllr Ray Donaghue, Chris Brown (FVAF CEO) & Reuben Brown, Tom Cousins, Cinderford Town Mayor Roger Sterry & Cllr Sid Phelps Local Councillors Celebrate New Community Mural Marking FVAF's 30th Anniversary Striking artwork brings together decades of Forest of Dean community action Local councillors visited Cinderford earlier this month to view a vibrant new community mural celebrating the Forest of Dean's heritage of grassroots activism and marking Forest Voluntary Action Forum's 30th anniversary. Councillors from Cinderford Town Council and County Councillor Ray Donaghue toured the large-scale artwork, which was made possible through funding from Gloucestershire County Council's Build Back Better Fund. A Community-Led Design The mural emerged from summer workshops where local residents shared stories, memories, and perspectives spanning decades of community action. Local artist Tom Cousins transformed these diverse voices into a unified artwork capturing the enduring spirit of volunteerism that defines the area. The design bridges past and present, from early 20th century Friendly Society Banners to today's environmental campaigns. It showcases grassroots volunteer-led groups, community choirs and music festivals, local food networks, sports clubs, and community-owned shops and pubs. References to the area as the "land between two rivers" ground the celebration in the Forest of Dean's distinctive landscape and character. Catherine Best, Communications & Fundraising Manager at FVAF, said: "This mural wasn't just about improving the look of our new community building – it's about celebrating who we are as a community and the pride we have in our local heritage. Every time you look at it, you see something different. We've had a fantastic response from local people stopping to take a look, taking pictures and discussing what they see and what it means to them. We hope it will serve as both a reminder of the rich heritage of community action in our past and an inspiration for the future." Part of a Wider Transformation The mural is part of FVAF's transformation of the former doctor's surgery into a welcoming, inclusive community space for everyone in Cinderford and the wider district. For over 30 years, FVAF has helped local people turn ideas into action through resources, guidance, and networking opportunities. The organisation works with over 800 community groups annually to make the Forest of Dean an even better place to live. For more information, contact communications@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073.

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

Postanite član FVAF-a Članstvom FVAF-a pomažete nam da nastavimo pružati vitalnu uslugu podrške dobrovoljnom i društvenom sektoru u Forest of Dean . FVAF djeluje kao zagovornik dobrovoljne akcije i akcije zajednice gdje je to prikladno na okružnoj, okružnoj i nacionalnoj razini, a što više članova predstavljamo, to je naš glas jači. Članovi se stoga konsultuju o pitanjima koja utiču na volonterski i društveni sektor u Dekanskoj šumi i šta mi kao organizacija želimo da postignemo. Kao član, uživaćete u pristupu našim kancelarijskim uslugama, sniženim cenama štampanja i kopiranja, promociji slobodnih radnih mesta za volontere za vašu grupu i besplatnom najmu niza kancelarijske opreme. Ovo uključuje: Display Boards Hearing Loop Digitalni projektor i platno PA sistem Flip Charts Dugačak sklopivi sto Urna za toplu vodu Gazebo (potrebna donacija od 5 funti) Ako želite da postanete član FVAF-a, kliknite na dugme Pridružite se FVAF-u na desnoj strani i popunite formular. Za više informacija pozovite 01594 822073 BESPLATNO je postati član FVAF-a za pristup svim našim uslugama podrške Pridružite se FVAF-u

Volontiranje Kao Volonterski centar za Dekansku šumu mi smo tu da vam pomognemo da regrutujete i upravljate volonterima Naše novo volontiranje knjižica ispunjena detaljima lokalnog volontiranja prilike sada nestaju KLIKNITE ZA PREUZIMANJE Ili pokupite primjerak u lokalnoj biblioteci ili Community Hubu Kao Volonterski centar za Forest of Dean mi smo često prva tačka kontakta za sve koji su zainteresovani za volontiranje. Prošle godine smo bili ponosni što smo podržali više od 100.000 sati vredno volontiranja u ovoj oblasti! FVAF promoviše i oglašava širok spektar mogućnosti volontiranja od organizacija koje dijele naš etos u podršci volonterima i prepoznavanju širokog spektra razloga zašto se ljudi odlučuju na volontiranje. Zašto Volontirati? Volontiranje ima niz ogromnih prednosti, ne samo za vas pojedinačno, već i za vašu zajednicu i svijet u kojem živimo. Ako želite poboljšati svoj životopis, upoznati nove ljude, iskoristiti svoje vještine, naučiti nešto novo, ostvariti interes, ponuditi iskustvo ili jednostavno napraviti razliku, zagarantirano imamo priliku za vas! O ovim prilikama možete saznati na sljedeće načine: Mogućnosti pretraživanja na Do-it.org Pozovite nas na 01594 822073 Javite se putem email Posjetite nas na FVAF pon - pet 9:00 - 1:00 ( smjernice ) Ako želite volontirati kao dio velike grupe, na primjer kao dio korporativnog volontiranja, onda imamo i široku lepezu mogućnosti za odabir. Get the latest volunteer opportunities - direct to your mailbox! Sign up to receive our regular email Volunteer Newsletter: SIGN UP HELP FOR GROUPS - recruiting & managing volunteers Kao centar na jednom mjestu za sve stvari volontiranja, koristimo višestruku metodologiju kako bismo vam pružili najbolju moguću šansu za regrutiranje i zadržavanje vrijednih volontera. Ovo uključuje sljedeće: Oglašavanje vaših mogućnosti na Do-it.org Promoviranje vaših prilika kod javnosti upućenih nama ili putem naše funkcije za slanje. Oglašavanje vaših mogućnosti na našim Facebook i Twitter stranicama Promoviranje vaših mogućnosti lokalnim službama koje podržavaju volontiranje, npr. Centar za zapošljavanje, LearnDirect i 2GetherTrust Oglašavanje vaših mogućnosti na preko 30 događaja godišnje Šaljete svoje mogućnosti lokalnim preduzećima koja nude volontiranje uz podršku poslodavaca Promoviranje relevantnih mogućnosti za škole, fakultete i univerzitete Distribuiranje vaših mogućnosti u našu bazu volontera od preko 1.000 ljudi Promoviranje vaših mogućnosti na različitim mrežama, uključujući Know Your Patch As a one-stop-shop for all things volunteering, we can help you find, and keep, the perfect volunteer: Get in touch - call us on 01594 822073, via email or visit us at FVAF, Ow Bist - Forest Community Space, Dockham Road, Cinderford GL14 2AN (Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm)