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 Forest Young Mums | 10am-12pm Hilltop Children & Family Centre, Latimer Road, Cinderford GL14 2QA Targeted support for young mums under 21 ORGANISATION: FVAF in partnership with NHS 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 FRIDAY Mitcheldean Youth Hub | 4pm-8pm The Playing Fields, Mitcheldean GL17 0BQ Open Access Year 7+ ORGANISATION: FVAF in partnership Mitcheldean Parish 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

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

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

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!

Cerdded Gydag Olwynion: Cwestiynau Cyffredin Beth yw 'Tramper'? Mae Tramper yn gerbyd symudedd trydan pob tir. Mae ganddo gyflymder cyfyngedig o hyd at 4mya sy'n ddelfrydol ar gyfer cerddwyr neu blant ifanc ar feiciau. Gall manyleb lawn y Trampers fod dod o hyd yma . Pwy all ddefnyddio'r gwasanaeth hwn? Mae Cerdded gydag Olwynion yn agored i unrhyw un dros 14 oed ac sy’n pwyso o dan 25 stôn sy’n cael anhawster cerdded oherwydd anawsterau symudedd dros dro neu barhaol. Ar ba lwybrau y gallaf ei ddefnyddio? Mae'r llwybrau sydd ar gael yn cynnwys i Symond's Yat Rock ac i lawr i'r afon Gwy yn Symond's Yat o Forest Holidays a Cyril Hart Arboretum, Hwyaid Gwyllt a rhannau o Lwybr Beicio'r Teulu o The Speech House. Darperir mapiau o'r llwybrau wrth logi. Pryd mae ar gael i'w logi? Mae'r Tramper ar gael i'w logi 9:00 - 5:00 7 diwrnod yr wythnos (gall oriau fod yn fyrrach yn y Gaeaf i sicrhau dychwelyd cyn iddi nosi). Sut gallaf archebu un? Archebwch eich Tramper ymlaen llaw cyn y diwrnod, i osgoi cael eich siomi. Cysylltwch â'r safleoedd tramper yn uniongyrchol i archebu. Ar gyfer Gwyliau Coedwig ffoniwch 01594 837165 Ar gyfer The Speech House ffoniwch 01594 822607 Faint mae'n ei gostio i logi Tramper? Mae'r Tramper yn costio dim ond £2.50 yr awr. Ar gyfer defnyddwyr am y tro cyntaf mae yna hefyd ffi aelodaeth flynyddol o £10 i Countryside Mobility neu £2.50 am sesiwn blasu pythefnos. Beth os nad ydw i erioed wedi defnyddio un o'r rhain o'r blaen? Peidio â phoeni! Maent yn syml iawn ac yn ddiogel i'w gweithredu a bydd pob defnyddiwr yn cael cyflwyniad llawn i sicrhau eu bod yn teimlo'n ddiogel ac yn gyfforddus i fynd i'r afael â'n llwybrau anhygoel. Beth os bydd angen help ychwanegol arnaf? Gofynnwn i bawb ddod gyda nhw ar y llwybrau felly bydd rhywun gyda chi bob amser. Os hoffech roi cynnig ar Tramper, cyn llogi un, ffoniwch un o'n canolfannau i drefnu. Pam fod yn rhaid i mi ddod yn aelod o Countryside Mobility? Mae Countryside Mobility yn gyfrifol am ddarparu'r Trampers a dyna pam eu bod yn cael eu cynnig am bris mor fforddiadwy. Maent hefyd yn gweithio i sicrhau bod pob safle sy'n cynnal Tramper yn gwneud hynny mewn ffordd ddiogel a hawdd ei chyrraedd. Bydd yr aelodaeth hon hefyd yn eich galluogi i ddefnyddio unrhyw un o'r Trampers yn y nifer o safleoedd Cefn Gwlad Symudedd ar draws y De Orllewin. Ewch i wefan Countryside Mobility am ragor o wybodaeth. Gallwch lenwi ffurflenni aelodaeth yn y ganolfan cyn llogi. A allaf helpu gyda'r prosiect hwn? Mae Cerdded gydag Olwynion yn dibynnu ar wirfoddolwyr i hyrwyddo ein gwasanaeth. Os oes gennych ddiddordeb mewn helpu i ledaenu’r gair am ein gwasanaeth, neu os hoffech helpu mewn ffordd arall, ffoniwch 01594 822073 neu e-bostiwch walkingwithwheels@fvaf.org.uk . Bydd hyfforddiant a chefnogaeth lawn yn cael eu darparu. Beth os bydd angen i mi ganslo archeb? Gofynnwn i chi roi o leiaf 24 awr o rybudd o ganslo fel y gallwn logi'r Tramper i ddefnyddiwr arall. I ganslo cysylltwch â'r safle y gwnaethoch archebu gyda hi 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

FOREST VOLUNTEER AWARDS IT'S VOTING TIME! The PUBLIC VOTE is now OPEN for Volunteer of the Year 2025 - The People's Champion! VOTING CLOSES: MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY 27 AUGUST 2025 We had so many fantastic nominations, with every one a worthy winner BUT after much deliberation our judging panel shortlisted the following local volunteers: VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE Carol Austin – Sedbury Space Laura Dovey – Taurus Crafts Annie George – Forest Exchange Ian Gower – CANDI, Mitcheldean Youth Club, Scarr Bandstand Glynis Halling – The Victoria Centre, Lydney Dial-a-Ride, Dr Charley's Lunch Club Julie Holder – Packed with Love Submit Find out why these amazing volunteers were nominated below: CAROL AUSTIN Sedbury Space Carol leads one of the Forest's busiest community groups at Sedbury Space, welcoming 30+ members weekly with exceptional care and dedication. LAURA DOVEY Taurus Crafts For an incredible twenty years, Laura has been the welcoming face of Taurus Crafts in Lydney, greeting every customer with genuine warmth and enthusiasm ANNIE GEORGE Forest Exchange Annie is the organisational powerhouse behind Forest Exchange (formerly Lydney Exchange), working tirelessly to help as many people as possible through this vital community resource.. Her personal touch makes all the difference – she ensures every member receives a birthday card and personally checks on anyone who's been absent for two weeks. Carol's generous spirit extends beyond her volunteer duties as she steps in to cover extra sessions, ensures no one feels excluded, and has a remarkable gift for helping shy members feel included without them even realising it. Her warm, energetic presence and unwavering commitment to helping others makes her an exceptional volunteer who truly goes above and beyond. Working across both the gift shop and Zero Waste shop, Laura's reliability and attention to detail shine through in everything she does – from pricing and checking invoices to ensuring packing materials are properly recycled. Her outstanding customer service skills and diligent approach make her a joy to work with, while her caring, helpful nature brings smiles to everyone she meets. Laura's two decades of unwavering commitment exemplifies the very best in community volunteering. Her incredible work ethic is evident whether she's moving heavy boxes, washing donated clothes, implementing efficient labelling systems, or lifting spirits with her amazing sense of humour. Over the past two and a half years, Annie has played a crucial role in the Exchange's remarkable growth from strength to strength. Though she's moving away to be closer to family, her unique approach to helping individuals and her invaluable contributions have left a lasting impact on the Forest community. IAN GOWER Mitcheldean Youth Club, CANDI, Scarr Bandstand Ian's volunteer work spans multiple organisations, making him a true Forest community champion through his support at CANDI, Mitcheldean Youth Hub, Scarr Bandstand, and the Forest of Dean History Society. GLYNIS HALLING The Victoria Centre, Lydney Dial-a-Ride, Dr Charley's Lunch Club For over 25 years, Glynis has been the driving force behind vital community services, serving as chief organiser and fundraiser for the Victoria Centre and previously Lydney Dial-a-Ride. JULIE HOLDER Packed with Love Julie is the inspirational driving force behind Packed with Love, a remarkable not-for-profit initiative that packs 180 backpacks for children in emergency care. Drawing on his engineering background with Rolls Royce, Ian creates engaging STEM workshops and provides maths tutoring that makes learning both fun and educational for young people. His understanding, kind, and caring approach toward young people, combined with his wealth of knowledge, makes him an exceptional mentor. Ian's dedication to his community is evident in how nothing is ever too much trouble, and his willingness to go out of his way to support the young people and various groups he serves. Her exceptional admin skills, creative vision, and ongoing dedication have been essential to these organisations' success. Glynis also volunteered for 13 years at Dr Charley's lunch club in Coleford, serving as Treasurer and later taking leadership after founder Dora Matthews passed away. Her commitment to community service has touched countless lives across the Forest, providing the "essential oil for the wheels" of much-valued services that bring people together and support those in need. Her tireless dedication encompasses every aspect of the operation – organising jumble sales and book sales, seeking donations, storing items in her own home, purchasing necessary supplies, coordinating the packing process, and ensuring distribution reaches those who need it most. Julie's work directly impacts vulnerable children during some of their most difficult moments, providing them with essential items and a tangible reminder that their community cares. Her selfless commitment transforms donations into hope for children facing uncertain times.

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.

Our partners We work with, and are supported by so many fantastic organisations. The projects and services we deliver in partnership with others, and the funding we receive makes it possible for us to support voluntary activity and community action in the Forest of Dean. These are just some of the organisations we currently work closely with:

Peer Development Developing the space between us to enable better Community Health and Wellbeing. Mycelium seeks to promote connectedness between people and encourage collaboration in service development in the Forest of Dean. Mycelium seeks to promote connectedness between people and encourage collaboration in service development in the Forest of Dean. We wish to do so to develop a counternarrative to ‘siloed working’ and the overbearing competitiveness between people, organisations and within emerging systems. We value both lived and professional experience equally and work from a horizontal, narrative informed, peer advocacy model with co-production and action research principles at its core. What do we do? We offer Peer Advocacy, Peer Mentoring & Peer Development for individuals, groups and organisations living or working in the Forest of Dean. For People from our Communities We work with individuals providing 1 to 1 support. Using peer advocacy and peer mentoring principles we can help you to develop a ‘recovery practice’ that enables you to get back up after a crisis, or travel safely through a difficult period in your life. We can help you: to understand and respond to social care needs or a health condition and can help you to cope with a situation that is causing you emotional distress. to find information, to build confidence as you begin to identify, navigate and try out the wellbeing and self-help resources that are available to you in your local community. if issues arise when trying to build yourself up again - we can be there and help you to learn about yourself, your world and your rights. to travel through the complexities of recovery from a health condition, from mental illness, trauma or addiction - to raise your voice about what is important to you as you do so. to access advice from the best expertise available and can then support you to understand, choose between and explore the options opened up for you by that advice. to access community groups and projects and help them in turn to become more confident, compassionate and efficient when supporting individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. Peer advocacy will work on up to three specific community advocacy issues at a time, but the Peer mentoring will be open access, an ‘in the background’ wrap around support that will attempt to respond to your unique circumstances and complex needs whilst still trying to link you in with the best expertise available to you. For Volunteers and Professionals “Project Support” - We work with individuals developing groups and organisations With consultancy, reflective practice and ongoing support we can help lived experience practitioners, peer support workers and staff with lived experience who are working in the VCS and local health and social care settings, to use their experiences of illness or mental distress in a way that is safe, effective and compassionate for both them and the people they are supporting. We can help: you to develop an idea, a workshop, a group or a project that has arisen from your own unique situation, lived experience or from the skills and awareness gained on your recovery journey. provide or link you in with training, information, supervision and a support structure around you to enable you to turn this awareness into a skill that can benefit others in your local community. projects, groups and organisations develop their co-production strategies and be a point of contact with transformed mental health services and the wider supports available. We can enable you to implement these strategies in a non ’tokenistic’ & authentic way. you to stay well and practice self-care whilst working and using your lived experience to help others who are going through health conditions or mental distres s. What does ‘Peer’ mean? “PEER … One that is of equal standing with another” The ‘Peer’ in Peer Advocacy, Peer Mentoring and Peer Development points to shared concerns and experiences. Peer support is when we come together with others who have been through or are recovering from something similar. It is about ‘mutuality’ - helping each other through conversations, activities and spending time together. It can help us not to feel so alone or unusual, to realise that there is a possibility of life beyond and outside of the condition, distress or situation encountered. Peer services connect people and create opportunities for ‘giving back’; they can help us to take notice of the skills and knowledge we have gained on our journeys while also creating opportunities to use these skills to build better services and communities for the future. Who are we? We are all local people with both professional and personal experience of disability, illness, mental distress and/or have been carers for people navigating social and health care systems. We are all individuals who have had extensive experience of managing our own recoveries from illness and mental distress and have learnt much from doing so. We all feel that talking to someone who has ‘been through’ and managed to successfully survive and navigate something similar in the past can be incredibly helpful to those who are feeling isolated with that condition, situation or circumstance in the present. Though we understand the importance of being supported by someone who understands from ‘lived experience’, we also recognise the importance of skill and learning. We know how important ongoing development is to help convert that learning into a constructive, safe and effective practice that enables others. We have all received extensive previous training and are committed to continued professional development alongside the “lived experience” knowledge that we draw upon. We have all benefitted from Peer Advocacy, Peer Support or Peer Mentoring ourselves and are passionate about its enormous benefits for good community mental health and wellbeing. We have all had extensive previous experience of co-production work, collaborative working, community development and promoting diverse voices. What have we done so far? Developing Action Research & our Narrative Model for locality-based peer development Over the past two years Mycelium has been drawing together people with experience, professionals and those passionate about community development, to overcome barriers to discussion and rally around shared concerns or stories. The aim of this has been to increase understanding about mental health illness and, most importantly, move towards improvement of the current situation for individuals, families and the Forest communities. We have developed a Resource Hub, Community-based Recovery Education Sessions and a Community of Practice group for those working with individuals with mental health challenges. We have facilitated extensive community-based action research to ascertain need and identify a network of allies. This has been published alongside papers on co-production and has all been fed into the Community Mental Health Transformation undertaken in Gloucestershire. Who are we for? We have supported the growth of community initiatives that allow everybody’s voices to be heard and we want change to continue to be driven by well-being and mutual aid. We are listening, learning and offering opportunities for all community members within the Forest and invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Anyone 16 + who is living or working in the Forest of Dean. Anyone who feels that they could benefit from support from individuals with experience of managing their own recovery from mental health difficulties, addiction, mental distress or a health condition. Anyone facing challenges in accessing the support that they want and need help to find information, understand their rights, build a support network or develop an advocacy plan of action to raise their voice or complain about the care they have received. Anyone with either diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions and people waiting on waiting lists for assessment. Our aim is to respect all perspectives and encourage action and improvement in the lives of all across our Forest communities. How do I find out more, get involved or access Mycelium support? For more information drop Simon Price (Project Manager and Mental Health Researcher) a message at Simon@fvaf.org.uk or call 07394 945046 to arrange a meet up and find out more about Mycelium Peer Development.

Cymdeithas Ieuenctid y Goedwig Mae Cymdeithas Ieuenctid Fforest y Ddena yma i gynnig cymorth a chefnogaeth i bobl ifanc a chlybiau, grwpiau neu sefydliadau ieuenctid. Gwneud ffrindiau newydd Cymerwch ran yn eich cymuned Dilyn diddordeb Rhowch gynnig ar rywbeth newydd Dysgwch sgiliau newydd Gwirfoddolwr Gwneud byd gwell Gwirfoddoli Mae llawer o gyfleoedd gwirfoddoli i bobl ifanc ac oedolion. Os ydych chi'n berson ifanc sy'n edrych am waith gwirfoddol i'w wneud yn eich amser sbâr, i ennill mwy o sgiliau neu fel rhan o'ch rhaglen DofE rhowch alwad i ni neu ewch i https://do-it.org/ Yn yr un modd, os ydych yn oedolyn sydd â sgiliau a gwybodaeth neu os ydych yn dymuno cefnogi mudiad ieuenctid o fewn Fforest y Ddena, cysylltwch â ni gan fod llawer o sefydliadau a fyddai’n gwerthfawrogi eich cefnogaeth. Aelodaeth Gysylltiedig ar gyfer eich Clwb / Sefydliad Pan fyddwch yn aelod o Gymdeithas Ieuenctid Fforest y Ddena bydd gennych hawl i'n hystod lawn o wasanaethau, sy'n cynnig cyngor a chymorth ym mhob agwedd ar redeg sefydliad fel eich un chi. Rydym hefyd yn cynnal calendr o weithgareddau y gall eich gwirfoddolwyr a phobl ifanc gymryd rhan ynddynt am dâl nominal. Am fanylion llawn y buddion neu i gofrestru eich clwb, cliciwch ar y dolenni canlynol Manteision Aelodaeth Cymdeithas Ieuenctid i Glybiau Ffurflen Aelodaeth Cymdeithas Ieuenctid ar gyfer Clybiau Manylion Cyswllt Am Fwy o Wybodaeth Os hoffech wybod mwy am unrhyw un o’n prosiectau neu ddigwyddiadau neu sut i gymryd rhan, cysylltwch â Swyddog Datblygu ein Cymdeithas Ieuenctid, Alethea Bumpstead ar 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 Cymorth Ariannol Mae Cymdeithas Ieuenctid Forest of Dean yn falch o dderbyn cymorth ariannol gan Gynghorau Tref Cinderford a Coleford. Os hoffai eich Cyngor Plwyf neu Dref wybod mwy am Gymdeithas Ieuenctid Fforest y Ddena neu sut y gallwch ein cefnogi, cysylltwch â ni drwy e-bostio FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk