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 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.

Association des jeunes de la forêt Forest of Dean Youth Association est là pour offrir aide et soutien aux jeunes et aux clubs, groupes ou organisations de jeunes. Se faire de nouveaux amis Impliquez-vous dans votre communauté Poursuivre un intérêt Essayer quelque chose de nouveau Apprendre de nouvelles compétences Bénévole Faire un monde meilleur Faire du bénévolat Il existe de nombreuses possibilités de bénévolat pour les jeunes et les adultes. Si vous êtes un jeune à la recherche d'un travail bénévole à faire pendant votre temps libre, pour acquérir plus de compétences ou dans le cadre de votre programme DofE, veuillez nous appeler ou visiter https://do-it.org/ De même, si vous êtes un adulte qui possède des compétences et des connaissances ou si vous souhaitez soutenir une organisation de jeunesse au sein de la forêt de Dean, veuillez nous contacter car de nombreuses organisations apprécieraient votre soutien. Adhésion affiliée pour votre club / organisation Lorsque vous vous affilierez à l'Association des jeunes de Forest of Dean, vous aurez droit à notre gamme complète de services, qui offre des conseils et un soutien dans tous les aspects de la gestion d'une organisation comme la vôtre. Nous organisons également un calendrier d'activités auxquelles vos bénévoles et jeunes peuvent participer moyennant des frais nominaux. Pour connaître tous les avantages ou pour inscrire votre club, cliquez sur les liens suivants Avantages de l'adhésion à une association de jeunes pour les clubs Formulaire d'adhésion à l'association des jeunes pour les clubs Coordonnées Pour plus d'informations Si vous souhaitez en savoir plus sur l'un de nos projets ou événements ou sur la manière de vous impliquer, veuillez contacter notre agente de développement de l'association des jeunes, Alethea Bumpstead au 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 Aide financière Forest of Dean Youth Association est fière de recevoir le soutien financier des conseils municipaux de Cinderford et de Coleford. Si votre paroisse ou votre conseil municipal souhaite en savoir plus sur l'association des jeunes de Forest of Dean ou sur la manière dont vous pouvez nous soutenir, veuillez nous contacter par e-mail. FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk

Centres d'accueil des bâtisseurs de communauté The drop-in hub provides support to create, inspire and build stronger communities together Le centre d'accueil offre un soutien pour créer, inspirer et bâtir ensemble des communautés plus fortes Chaque centre d'accueil offre une variété de soutien, de conseils et d'orientation pour les résidents locaux. Par exemple; accompagnement et signalisation aux services locaux, liaison et mise en place de nouveaux des groupes communautaires, aidant les gens à se rapprocher de l'emploi ou de poursuivre leurs études, à accéder au monde numérique et à donner vie à vos idées pour la communauté. Nous pouvons vous aider avec : Opportunités de bénévolat Accompagnement à l'employabilité Groupes d'activités et clubs locaux Assistance informatique & numérique Informations sur les événements locaux Signalisation vers les services locaux For dates, times and locations for up coming FVAF Community Drop-in Hubs, contact Alex on community@fvaf.org.uk or call the FVAF office on 01594 822073.

KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE Young people who are moving towards adulthood have the right to make informed choices about how they connect to their local community. This can involve risk, for guidance read: Building Connections: One minute guide to Risk Assessment

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? Drop in and chat with us We're coming to a venue near you: February dates: 19 Feb, 11:30am-1:30pm :Chillout Zone, 36 Broad St, Newent GL18 1AJ 23 Feb: Cinderford, Hilltops Family Centre, 9-10am 23 Feb: 11am-2pm : Café Sixteen, 16 Bank St, Coleford GL16 8BA 25 Feb: 10am-12pm : The Victoria Centre, 5 Victoria Road, Lydney GL15 5DG 26 Feb: 11:30am-1:30pm :The Swan Community Hub, Ledbury Rd, Staunton GL19 3QA 27 Feb, 9-10am: Hilltops Family Centre, Latimer Road, Cinderford GL14 2QA Visit https://www.fdean.gov.uk/forest-of-dean-s-unesco-biosphere-bid or https://www.wylderne.com/ for more information. Y oung people Special sessions are happening at youth groups across the Forest including Ruardean, Blakeney, and others. 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

Marcher avec des roues : Foire aux questions Qu'est-ce qu'un "Trampeur" ? Un Tramper est un véhicule de mobilité électrique tout-terrain. Il a une vitesse limitée jusqu'à 4 mph, ce qui est idéal pour accompagner les marcheurs ou les jeunes enfants à vélo. La spécification complète des Trampers peut être trouvé ici . Qui peut utiliser ce service ? Walking with Wheels est ouvert à toute personne âgée de plus de 14 ans et pesant moins de 25 stone ayant des difficultés à marcher en raison de difficultés de mobilité temporaires ou permanentes. Sur quels trajets puis-je l'utiliser ? Les itinéraires disponibles incluent Symond's Yat Rock et jusqu'à la rivière Wye à Symond's Yat depuis Forest Holidays et Cyril Hart Arboretum, Mallards Pike et certaines parties de la piste cyclable familiale depuis The Speech House. Des cartes des itinéraires seront fournies lors de la location. Quand est-il disponible à la location ? Le Tramper est disponible à la location de 9h00 à 17h00 7 jours sur 7 (les heures peuvent être plus courtes en hiver pour garantir un retour avant le crépuscule). Comment puis-je en réserver un ? Veuillez pré-réserver votre Tramper avant la journée, pour éviter toute déception. Veuillez contacter directement les sites de trampeurs pour réserver. Pour les vacances en forêt, appelez le 01594 837165 Pour The Speech House, appelez le 01594 822607 Combien coûte la location d'un Tramper ? Le Tramper ne coûte que 2,50 £ de l'heure. Pour les nouveaux utilisateurs, il y a aussi une cotisation annuelle de 10 £ à Countryside Mobility ou de 2,50 £ pour une session de découverte de deux semaines. Et si je n'en ai jamais utilisé un auparavant ? Ne pas s'inquiéter! Ils sont très simples et sûrs à utiliser et chaque utilisateur recevra une initiation complète pour s'assurer qu'il se sent en sécurité et à l'aise pour s'attaquer à nos incroyables sentiers. Et si j'ai besoin d'aide supplémentaire ? Nous demandons que tout le monde soit accompagné sur les sentiers afin que vous ayez toujours quelqu'un avec vous. Si vous souhaitez essayer un Tramper, avant d'en embaucher un, veuillez appeler l'un de nos centres pour organiser. Pourquoi dois-je devenir membre de Countryside Mobility ? Countryside Mobility est chargé de fournir les trampers et c'est pourquoi ils sont proposés à un tarif aussi abordable. Ils veillent également à ce que chaque site hébergeant un Tramper le fasse de manière sûre et facilement accessible. Cette adhésion vous permettra également d'utiliser l'un des Trampers sur les nombreux sites de Countryside Mobility à travers le Sud-Ouest. Veuillez visiter le site Web de Countryside Mobility pour plus d'informations. Vous pouvez remplir les formulaires d'adhésion au centre avant l'embauche. Puis-je aider à ce projet ? Walking with Wheels compte sur des bénévoles pour promouvoir son service. Si vous souhaitez aider à faire connaître notre service ou si vous souhaitez aider d'une autre manière, veuillez appeler le 01594 822073 ou envoyer un e-mail à walkingwithwheels@fvaf.org.uk . Une formation et un soutien complets seront fournis. Que faire si je dois annuler une réservation ? Nous vous demandons de donner un préavis d'annulation d'au moins 24 heures afin que nous puissions louer le Tramper à un autre utilisateur. Pour annuler, veuillez contacter le site avec lequel vous avez réservé 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

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! CLOSING DATE: MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 20 JULY 2025 Nomination Form 2025 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 Accessibility & 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

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

Faire du bénévolat En tant que centre de bénévolat pour la forêt de Dean, nous sommes là pour vous aider à recruter et à gérer des bénévoles Notre nouveau bénévolat livret rempli de détails du bénévolat local les opportunités sont maintenant terminées CLIQUEZ POUR TÉLÉCHARGER Ou procurez-vous un exemplaire à votre bibliothèque locale ou au Community Hub En tant que centre de bénévolat pour le Forêt de Dean nous sommes souvent le premier point de contact pour toute personne intéressée par le bénévolat. L'année dernière, nous étions fiers de soutenir plus de 100 000 heures de bénévolat dans la région ! La FVAF fait la promotion et annonce un large éventail d'opportunités de bénévolat d'organisations qui partagent notre philosophie de soutien aux bénévoles et reconnaissent le large éventail de raisons pour lesquelles les gens choisissent de faire du bénévolat. Pourquoi faire du bénévolat? Le bénévolat présente un certain nombre d'énormes avantages, non seulement pour vous individuellement, mais aussi pour votre communauté et le monde dans lequel nous vivons. Si vous souhaitez enrichir votre CV, rencontrer de nouvelles personnes, mettre vos compétences à profit, apprendre quelque chose de nouveau, poursuivre un intérêt, offrir de l'expérience ou simplement faire la différence, nous sommes assurés d'avoir une opportunité pour vous ! Vous pouvez découvrir ces opportunités de la manière suivante : Opportunités de recherche sur Do-it.org Appelez-nous au 01594 822073 Contactez-nous via e-mail Venez nous rendre visite à la FVAF du lundi au vendredi de 9h00 à 13h00 ( itinéraire ) Si vous cherchez à faire du bénévolat dans le cadre d'un grand groupe, par exemple dans le cadre d'un bénévolat d'entreprise, nous avons également un large éventail d'opportunités parmi lesquelles choisir. 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 En tant que guichet unique pour tout ce qui concerne le bénévolat, nous utilisons une méthodologie à multiples facettes pour vous donner les meilleures chances possibles de recruter et de retenir de précieux bénévoles. Cela inclut les éléments suivants : Annoncez vos opportunités sur Do-it.org Promouvoir vos opportunités auprès des membres du public qui nous sont référés ou via notre fonction de rendez-vous. Annoncez vos opportunités sur nos pages Facebook et Twitter Promouvoir vos opportunités auprès des services locaux qui soutiennent le bénévolat, par exemple. Centre d'emploi, LearnDirect et 2GetherTrust Annoncez vos opportunités lors de plus de 30 événements par an Envoyer vos opportunités aux entreprises locales qui proposent du bénévolat soutenu par l'employeur Promouvoir les opportunités pertinentes auprès des écoles, collèges et universités Distribuer vos opportunités à notre base de données de bénévoles de plus de 1 000 personnes Promouvoir vos opportunités sur une variété de réseaux, y compris 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)

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