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:

Resource Hub/Library Leaflets & literature on wellness, recovery, self-help & coping with mental distress. The group office, based above the Library at The Main Place in Coleford, is available for members to use as a safe and confidential space. We keep material that may be of use to members – and we are happy for people to provide us with leaflets that they would like shared. To read the My Networks Scoping Project Report please visit: www.fvaf.org.uk/publications

We Celebrate our Outstanding Volunteers! Winners crowned at annual Forest Volunteer Awards event... The Forest of Dean's most dedicated volunteers took centre stage this week at our annual Forest Volunteer Awards, held on Tuesday 2 September at the AccXel Construction School in Cinderford! People's Champion Takes Top Honours Ian Gower claimed the evening's most coveted award – Volunteer of the Year (People's Champion) – following a public vote that attracted over 3,500 participants. Ian's tireless work spans multiple organisations including CANDI, Mitcheldean Youth Club, and Scarr Bandstand, where he inspires young people through STEM education, drawing on his engineering background with Rolls Royce. Community Groups Recognised for Vital Work Several local organisations received recognition for their outstanding community contributions. The Salvation Army Community Hub in Coleford won Community Organisation of the Year for providing comprehensive support services including food assistance and domestic violence support. The Sharing Kitchen in Newent claimed the Grassroots Voluntary Group award, having transformed from a winter soup kitchen into a thriving community hub since launching in November 2024. Meanwhile, Music for Memories received the FoD Dementia Action Alliance Accessibility & Inclusion Award for positively impacting nearly 200 lives through personalised music therapy. We Rewarded Resilience Brockweir Village Shop and Café earned our ESV Business in the Community Award, demonstrating remarkable resilience after rebuilding following devastating fire damage in 2023. Volunteers worked tirelessly through an 18-month reconstruction to reopen the vital community facility. We Recognised Environmental Action Our newly introduced Community Climate Action Award went to the Save the Wye Campaign, recognising the group's creative activism in bringing national attention to the environmental crisis facing the River Wye. We Celebrated Future Leaders and Lifetime Achievement Our ceremony highlighted emerging community leaders, with Moss Thornton taking home our Young Volunteer of the Year honours for outstanding work as a Youth Expert and Youth Worker with Gloucestershire Health and Care Trust and Forest Pulse. Albert Weager received our Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 for his decades of community service as a representative and advocate for improved healthcare in the Forest of Dean. Celebrating Community Spirit "So much of what happens within our community is because of people who give their time and energy for free," said Deb Cook, Volunteering Manager at FVAF. "We're so proud to host this event and make a massive fuss about the incredible work that goes on in groups and organisations large and small. The work carried out by these volunteers is absolutely crucial to so many." Hosted by Steve Knibbs (BBC News Presenter) and Les Love (Dean Radio), our award winners were announced by guest presenters; Simon Murray (Vice chair, trustee of FVAF and chair of the Forest of Dean branch of CPRE), Cllr Jackie Dale, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities FoDDC, Piers Cardiff (new Co-ordinator of FoDCAP), Tyler Josh Carpenter (volunteer at SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) AND winner of last year’s Forest Young Volunteer of the Year), Dame Janet Trotter (DBE CVO), Nick Penny (FVAF Programme Manager). The celebration evening was made possible through generous sponsorship from local organisations, KW Bell Group and AccXel Construction Centre , Cinderhill Farm , Float in the Forest , Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership (FODCAP) , Forest of Dean District Council , Mid Counties Co-operative and Pedalabikeaway . We received hundreds of nominations following their summer call for submissions, with an expert panel handling the challenging task of shortlisting candidates across all categories. FOREST VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS 2025: Volunteer of the Year – Peoples’ Champion WINNER: Ian Gower: CANDI, Mitcheldean Youth Club, Scarr Bandstand Highly Commended: Carol Austin: Sedbury Space Laura Dovey: Taurus Crafts Annie George: Forest Exchange Glynis Halling: The Victoria Centre, Lydney Dial-a-Ride, Dr Charley's Lunch Club Julie Holder: Packed with Love Young Volunteer of the Year 21yrs & under WINNER: Moss Thornton: Youth Expert and Youth Worker with Gloucestershire Health and Care Trust and Forest Pulse Highly Commended: Chloe Watts - Her Game Too and Bristol Rovers Women Ambassador Community Organisation of the Year WINNER: Salvation Army Community Hub Highly Commended: Forest of Dean Writers Collection Project and Dean Green Team Grassroots Group of the Year WINNER: The Sharing Kitchen Highly Commended: Cinderford Town FC (Youth Team)  Forest Wombles Business in the Community Award WINNER: Brockweir Village Shop & Cafe Highly Commended: Dean Forest Food Hub FoD Dementia Action Alliance Accessibility & Inclusion Award WINNER: Music for Memories Highly Commended: Skillzone – Preparation for Adulthood Community Climate Action Award (sponsored by FoDCAP) WINNER: Save the Wye Campaign Highly Commended: Yorkley Village Garden Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 – Albert Weager - community representative and advocate for better healthcare in the Forest of Dean 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, Activities and Food Programme, 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 Road, Cinderford , Glos. GL14 2AN.

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.

Forest of Dean Big Health Debate Monday 13 July 2026 | Lydney Town Hall To view the presentations, please click on the below links: Big Health Debate - Main presentation Alex Digby & Nick Penny Strategic Estates planning, delivery of new facilities in the Forest of Dean and the future vision of Neighbourhood services Andrew Hughes & Gina Mann General Practice Services Jo White Gloucestershire Mental Health Services Sadie Trout & Andrew Telford Gloucestershire ICB - Dental NHS

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

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

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! CLOSING DATE: MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 19 JULY 2026 Nomination Form 2026 Please select in which category you would like to nominate the individual or group. Your Volunteer of the Year Young Volunteer of the Year 21yrs & under Community Organisation of the Year Grassroots Award - Voluntary Group of the Year ESV Business in the Community Award FoD Dementia Action Alliance Diversity & Inclusion Award FoDCAP Community Climate Action Award Name of the volunteer/group being nominated: Name of the organisation or group linked to the nominee (for individual nominees only) Volunteer role or role of group Contact details for nominee (email and telephone) If you are providing personal contact details, do you have permission to share this person's information? If not, no problem—we will use the general contact details of the group or organisation associated with the nominee instead. Yes No Reason for nomination - please provide a brief description which outlines why you think this individual or group stands out. What makes them special and worthy of being celebrated? Your name Your email address Are you happy for us to keep your contact details for the purpose of this nomination only? Yes No Submit

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

Ynglŷn â FVAF Ein Stori Ni yw'r Cyngor Gwasanaethau Gwirfoddol a Chanolfan Gwirfoddoli Fforest y Ddena. Rydym yn darparu cymorth i lawer o’r cannoedd o fudiadau gwirfoddol a chymunedol yn yr Ardal sydd yn eu tro yn gallu cyflawni eu gwaith yn well yn y gymuned leol ac ar ei rhan. Ers ffurfio yn 1994 rydym wedi datblygu enw da am annog, cofleidio a gwella gweithredu cymunedol ledled Fforest y Ddena. Credwn, drwy ddulliau a arweinir gan y gymuned, ein bod yn galluogi dinasyddion i ddatblygu’r sgiliau, y gwydnwch a’r cyfalaf cymdeithasol i fyw bywydau hapusach, sydd wedi’u cysylltu’n well. Gwasanaethau Swyddfa Staff ac Ymddiriedolwyr Polisïau Hygyrchedd a Chynaliadwyedd