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.

Maidir le FVAF Ár scéal Is sinne an Chomhairle um Sheirbhís Deonach agus an Lárionad Deonach um Fhoraois an Déin. Cuirimid cúnamh ar fáil do go leor de na céadta eagraíochtaí deonacha agus pobail sa Cheantar atá in ann a gcuid oibre a sheachadadh níos fearr sa phobal áitiúil agus ar a son. Ó bunaíodh muid i 1994 tá cáil bainte amach againn as gníomh pobail a spreagadh, a chuimsiú agus a fheabhsú ar fud Foraoise an Déin. Creidimid, trí chur chuige atá faoi stiúir an phobail, go gcuirimid ar chumas na saoránach scileanna, athléimneacht agus caipiteal sóisialta a fhorbairt chun saolta níos sona agus nasctha níos fearr a chaitheamh. Seirbhísí Oifige Foireann agus Iontaobhaithe Polasaithe Inrochtaineacht agus Inbhuanaitheacht

YOUTH CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

Siúl le Rothaí Bain úsáid as ceann de na scútair soghluaisteachta uile-tír-raon chun rochtain a fháil ar na cosáin áille Foraoise le do theaghlach agus lena chairde, beag beann ar do chumas siúlóide. Tá an Foraois an Déin Is ionad aitheanta é le haghaidh siúlóide agus rothaíochta agus déantar freastal maith air ag cosáin agus rochtain eile le dromchla. I gcás daoine le míchumas coirp, le drochshláinte, le lagú céadfach nó le riocht coisctheach éigin eile d’fhéadfadh go mbeadh gá le cúnamh cumhachtaithe, sainléirmhíniú nó meáin chuí eile le cur ar a gcumas sult a bhaint as na tairbhí a ghlacann daoine eile go talamh slán. seo Foraoise na bhForas Tionscadal maoinithe ag an gCrannchur Oidhreachta, ag obair i gcomhar le Soghluaisteacht faoin Tuath cuireann sé deiseanna ar fáil do níos mó daoine rochtain a fháil ar Fhoraois an Déin. Soláthraíonn Walking with Wheels scútair soghluaisteachta uile-tír-raon (ar a dtugtar Trampers) ar cíos ó Forest Holidays ag Christchurch, agus an Speech House Hotel. Tá na Trampers ar fáil do bhealaí réamh-mapáilte a chuimsíonn radharcanna Symonds Yat, na Biblíní, Crannlann Cyril Hart agus Loch Mallards Pike gan ach cuid acu a lua. Más mian leat níos mó a fhoghlaim faoi Ag siúl le Rothaí, cuir glaoch ar 01594 822073 nó déan teagmháil linn trí ríomhphost . Ceisteanna Coitianta Cad is ‘Tramper’ ann? Cé atá in ann an tseirbhís seo a úsáid? Cad iad na bealaí ar féidir liom é a úsáid? Cathain a bheidh sé ar fáil ar cíos? Conas is féidir liom ceann a chur in áirithe? Cé mhéad a chosnaíonn sé Tramper a fhostú? Cad a tharlóidh murar úsáid mé ceann acu seo riamh? Cad a tharlóidh má theastaíonn cabhair bhreise uaim? Cén fáth a gcaithfidh mé bheith i mo bhall de Countryside Mobility? An féidir liom cabhrú leis an tionscadal seo? Cad a tharlóidh más gá dom áirithint a chur ar ceal? Frequently Asked Questions

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.

EVENTS CALENDAR Check out the latest hip happenings in the Forest!

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.

Bí i do bhall de FVAF Trí bheith i do bhall de FVAF cabhraíonn tú linn leanúint ar aghaidh ag cur seirbhís tacaíochta ríthábhachtach ar fáil don earnáil dheonach agus phobail sa Foraois an Déin . Feidhmíonn FVAF mar thacadóir do ghníomhaíocht dheonach agus phobail nuair is cuí ag leibhéal dúiche, contae agus náisiúnta, agus dá mhéad ball a dhéanaimid ionadaíocht orthu, is amhlaidh is láidre ár nguth. Téitear i gcomhairle le baill mar sin faoi chúrsaí a théann i bhfeidhm ar an earnáil dheonach agus phobail i bhForaois an Déin agus ar a bhfuil sé mar aidhm againn a bhaint amach mar eagraíocht. Mar bhall, bainfidh tú taitneamh as rochtain ar ár seirbhísí oifige, rátaí laghdaithe priontála agus cóipeála, folúntais deonacha a chur chun cinn do do ghrúpa, agus cíos saor in aisce ar raon trealaimh oifige. Áirítear leis seo: Cláir Taispeána Lúb Éisteachta Teilgeoir Digiteach agus scáileán Córas PA Smeach-chairteacha Tábla fillte fada Urn lónadóireachta uisce te Gazebo (£5 síntiús ag teastáil) Más mian leat a bheith i do bhall den FVAF cliceáil le do thoil ar an gcnaipe Member FVAF ar dheis agus comhlánaigh an fhoirm. Le haghaidh tuilleadh sonraí cuir glaoch ar 01594 822073 Tá sé SAOR IN AISCE a bheith i do bhall de FVAF chun rochtain a fháil ar ár seirbhísí tacaíochta go léir Cláraigh le FVAF

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

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

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!