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Community Engagement - NHS assets and services We are currently carrying out community engagement work in the Forest of Dean seeking information about the use of NHS assets and services. We would very much appreciate it if you could help provide information as part of this exercise. ​ We hope you will be able to provide answers to a few questions in a survey that should only take a few minutes to complete. Community Engagement Survey: Parish Councils First name Last name Email Job title Organisation/Group Continue

Cás-Staidéar: Mary Sullivan Tá Mary ina Leas-Chathaoirleach ar Chumann Staire Áitiúil Fhoraois an Déin (LHS) agus tá sí mar chuid de mhúnlú Foraoise na bhForaoiseoirí ón tús. Sula raibh ainm fiú ag an gclár, bhí sé mar sprioc aici féin agus ag an LHS stair áitiúil a thabhairt do leanaí agus do dhaoine óga san Fhoraois, agus mhúnlaigh an paisean seo a ról mar bhall den Bhord. Tá naisc ag Mary leis an bhForaois le fada an lá agus ba chuairteoir rialta í ar feadh na mblianta sular bhog sí anseo faoi dheireadh in 2008 nuair a chuaigh sí ar scor. Bhí sí ina ball gníomhach den LHS go tapa. “Mar ‘ioncaiméir’ bhraith sé go raibh sé tábhachtach baint a bheith agat le Foraoise an Déin rudaí a bhraithfeadh go bhfuil bunús leo,” a dúirt Mary. “Ba leathnú air seo é cabhrú le clár Foraoise na bhForaoisí a mhúnlú”, a mhínigh sí, “tá cur leis ar an mbealach beag seo tar éis níos mó de mhothú muintearas a thabhairt dom”. Is iomaí rud a bhain le ról Mary ar an mBord a thug éachtaint di. “Ba mhór an sásamh dom a bheith páirteach i bpleanáil agus i smaointeoireacht ar leibhéal níos airde,” a dúirt sí. “Bhain mé sult as bualadh le agus oibriú le daoine nua, agus smaointe a fheiceáil ag teacht chun críche.” Anois beagnach leathshlí trí thréimhse maoinithe an Chláir, tá Mary tar éis a cuid mianta féin agus an LHS a bhaint amach le clár oideachais rathúil ag gabháil do Bhunscoileanna agus Meánscoileanna araon i stair agus oidhreacht áitiúil. “Bhí Bunscoil Lydbrook ina stóir mhór chun a gcuraclam a nascadh le hoidhreacht thógtha, nádúrtha agus chultúrtha an Déin,” a dúirt Mary. Tá obair scoileanna ar nós Lydbrook á scaipeadh anois ar scoileanna áitiúla eile trí laethanta roinnte scoileanna. “Ba mhór an pléisiúr é múinteoirí as gach cearn den cheantar a fheiceáil ag tabhairt cuairt ar thionscadail Foresters’ Forest ar ár dturas mionbhus, ag fáil amach faoi conas is féidir leo oidhreacht shaibhir an cheantair a thógáil isteach sa teagasc agus san fhoghlaim,” a dúirt Mary. “Bhí lúcháir orm freisin gur éirigh leis an oiread sin páistí scoile áitiúla taithí phraiticiúil a fháil ar an tseandálaíocht trí chuairt a thabhairt ar ár dtochailtí pobail in Yorkley, Soudley agus Ruardean le blianta beaga anuas.” Mothaíonn Mary gur bhain sí leas pearsanta as a ról deonach. “Tá go leor foghlamtha agam faoi na heagraíochtaí éagsúla a oibríonn go háitiúil agus an obair thábhachtach a dhéanann siad”, a mhínigh sí. Mothaíonn Mary freisin thar a bheith bródúil as gach rud atá bainte amach go dtí seo ag an gclár Foresters’ Forest agus tá sí ag tnúth le tógáil air seo sna blianta beaga atá romhainn. Oibrí deonach le Foresters’ Forest Tabhair cuairt ar Shuíomh Gréasáin Foresters’ Forest Cláraigh le haghaidh nuachtlitir Foresters’ Forest

Cás-Staidéar: David Chaloner Ag tabhairt aire do chapaillíní fiáine i bhForaois an Déin chuidigh sé leis an oibrí deonach David Chaloner fanacht gníomhach, foghlaim faoi chaomhnú agus fíor-dhifríocht a dhéanamh dá thírdhreach áitiúil. Oibríonn David go deonach le tionscadal Féarach Caomhnaithe Foraoise na bhForaoiseoirí, faoi stiúir Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Thug an tionscadal isteach limistéir d'innilt chapaillíní agus eallaigh fiáine san Fhoraois chun gnáthóg a fheabhsú do raon níos leithne de phlandaí agus fiadhúlra. Tá David ina chuid d’fhoireann oibrithe deonacha Féaraigh Caomhnaithe oilte a chuidíonn le foireann Iontaobhas Fiadhúlra Gloucestershire seiceáil ar na hainmhithe féaraigh. Ag labhairt dó faoina chúlra le capaill, dúirt David: “D’éirigh mé as go luath mar gheall ar fhadhbanna le mo chothromaíocht agus le mo fhís. Bhog mé go dtí an Spáinn áit ar fhoghlaim mé marcaíocht capall agus tháinig mé ar an eolas den chéad uair ar chapaill agus cé chomh mór is a bhain mé taitneamh as a bheith timpeall orthu. Rud greannmhar is ea go bhfágann an riocht ina bhfuil sé dodhéanta dom rothar a mharcaíocht ach is cosúil go n-oibríonn marcaíocht ar chapaill go breá, mar sin is rud an-speisialta iad na créatúir seo dom.” Nuair a d’aistrigh David ar ais go Foraoise an Déin, ba ghairid gur tháinig obair dheonach ina chuid thábhachtach dá shaol. “Nuair a bhog muid ar ais go dtí an RA, tarraingíodh muid go Foraoise an Déin ar deireadh mar gur bhraith sé gur áit iontach é,” a dúirt sé. “Tá mé an-ghnóthach le gach cineál obair dheonach ó bhog mé anseo. Ciallaíonn obair dheonach go leor dom, coinníonn sé gnóthach, gníomhach mé agus cuireann sé struchtúr agus suim leanúnach ar fáil.” Chiallaigh an tionscadal Féarach Caomhnaithe go bhféadfadh David obair dheonach agus capaillíní a chur le chéile den chéad uair. Dúirt sé: “Ní raibh mé ar an eolas faoi Fhoraois na bhForaoiseoirí go dtí go raibh an tionscadal Féarach Caomhnaithe ar tí tosú agus bhí oibrithe deonacha seiceála stoic de dhíth orm. Toisc gurb iad capaill mo rud i ndáiríre, nuair a chonaic mé na comharthaí in airde ag Edgehills ag rá go raibh Capaillíní Exmoor ag teacht, bhí mé ag piocadh le cuidiú leat!” Ag labhairt dó faoina thaithí leis an tionscadal, dúirt David: “Bhí fíor-eachtraí ag Edgehills i gceist le bheith ina Seiceálaí Stoc. Bhí spraoi agus cluichí iontach againn agus muid ag spreagadh na gcapaillíní bogadh ó chúlchiste amháin go dtí an ceann eile, go háirithe nuair a bhí sé láibeach! Mar oibrithe deonacha bímid ag caint le daoine áitiúla faoi bhruscar agus gan a bheith ag beathú na gcapaillíní, agus is dóigh liom gur chabhraigh sé le feasacht a ardú i measc daoine a bhíonn ag siúl go rialta sa cheantar.” Ba chuid speisialta den tionscadal é aithne a chur ar chapaillíní na Foraoise do David. “Is é an buaicphointe domsa a bheith leis na hainmhithe agus ag tabhairt aire dóibh,” a dúirt sé. “Is breá liom é i rith an tsamhraidh nuair is féidir leat dul isteach ina measc agus má sheasann tú fós ar feadh na mblianta, b’fhéidir go dtiocfaidh siad aníos agus go dtabharfaidh siad smid duit. Is cothromaíocht chúramach é nach mór dúinn a bhaint amach mar oibrithe deonacha, mar ní mór dúinn na capaillíní a bhraitheann ar a suaimhneas linn ionas gur féidir linn iad a sheiceáil, ach ba mhaith linn go bhfanfaidh siad fiáin agus a n-achar a choinneáil ó bhaill an phobail. Chuireamar aithne mhaith orthu agus tá leasainmneacha againn ar chuid de na fíorcharachtair.” Ní hiad na capaillíní amháin a choinníonn David gnóthach. “Tháinig gné shóisialta leis an obair dheonach nach raibh mé ag súil leis,” a mhíníonn sé. “Tá cuairteanna rialta ar an suíomh ríthábhachtach agus níl sé neamhchoitianta bualadh le baill eile den fhoireann dheonach ina dhiaidh sin. Tá roinnt cairde maithe déanta agam, agus mothaím go hiomlán i lúb leis an tionscadal, go háirithe trínár ngrúpaí WhatsApp Checkers Stock Checkers ar uirlis chomh héasca é chun idirghníomhú mar fhoireann. “Braithim go bhfuil ról tábhachtach á chomhlíonadh agam, agus tá sé ráite ag ceannairí an tionscadail go bhfuil fíor-bhuíoch as ár rannpháirtíocht oibrithe deonacha. Is fíorfhreagracht agus tiomantas é an ról, mar sin is iontach an rud é a mhothú go bhfuil meas agam ar a bhfuil déanta agam.” Déanann capaillíní an tionscadail Féarach Caomhnaithe jab tábhachtach don dúlra, ag ithe plandaí is mó a mbíonn tionchar acu ar nós driseacha agus aiteann, agus ag satailt ar raithneach. Is bealach nádúrtha é chun an talamh a bhainistiú le go n-éireoidh le raon níos leithne ainmhithe agus plandaí, lena n-áirítear éin, reiptílí agus feithidí. Tá difríocht tugtha faoi deara ag David cheana féin san Fhoraois ó thosaigh sé mar oibrí deonach. “Tá neart foghlamtha agam tríd an mbaint a bhí agam leis an tionscadal,” a dúirt sé. Ba iad na hainmhithe mo phríomhshuim nuair a thosaigh mé, ach tá méadú ollmhór tagtha ar mo fheasacht ar cheisteanna caomhnaithe. “Bhí sé thar a bheith suimiúil na héifeachtaí a fheiceáil ag tarlú. Thug mé faoi deara an talamh a ghlanadh go réidh, speicis éagsúla níos soiléire. De réir a chéile chonaic mé níos mó níológ agus níos mó éagsúlachta éan ag Edgehills. “Táim ag baint an-taitneamh as mo ról mar Seiceálaí Stoc. Braithim go bhfuilim ag cur go mór le cúram a thabhairt do Fhoraois an Déin, agus tá súil agam leanúint ar aghaidh ag tacú leis an Tionscadal Féarach Caomhnaithe chomh fada agus is féidir liom.” Oibrí deonach le Foresters’ Forest Tabhair cuairt ar Shuíomh Gréasáin Foresters’ Forest Cláraigh le haghaidh nuachtlitir Foresters’ Forest

IT’S OFFICIAL! We’re an inclusive employer We are super delighted to announce that we have been awarded a Gloucestershire Inclusive Employer Award! At a special event held at Stroud Brewery on Monday 17 October, we were presented with an award in recognition of our commitment to inclusive recruitment and the support we gave to three young people, with hidden disabilities, on the Kickstart Scheme. Two of the young people now work at FVAF and the third has successfully gained employment elsewhere. Team members told us they are more confident to talk about their own needs as well as support others; and it has given us greater confidence to encourage others to seek the benefits of diversity and inclusion in their own organisations. Cathy Griffiths, FVAF’S GEM Project Navigator, who accepted the award said: “Creating inclusive work practices is a long-term journey. So we are delighted to have got this award and our commitment to inclusivity will be shaping key actions now and for the year ahead.” The Gloucestershire Inclusive Employer awards, hosted by Inclusivity Works , were launched by the GEM Project. The scheme recognises employers who are committed to building an inclusive culture where diverse groups of people can come to work, feeling valued and confident to be themselves.

NEW Welcome Group comes to Coleford ​ Intergenerational social group to help support young people with disabilities MONDAY 15 AUGUST Read More Frequently visited pages: COMMUNITY HUBS VOLUNTEER ADVICE FOREST YOUTH ASSOCIATION Cad é FVAF? Seasann FVAF don Fhóram Gníomhaíochta Deonach Foraoise. Cuirimid tacaíocht ar fáil do shaoránaigh áitiúla, do ghrúpaí pobail agus do ghníomhaíochtaí chun na rudaí is tábhachtaí dóibh a dhéanamh. Áirítear leis seo na nithe seo a leanas: ​ tacaíocht agus comhairle forbartha oiliúint eolas cruinnithe líonraithe ionadaíocht a éascú earcaíocht oibrithe deonacha socrúchán oibrithe deonacha agus tacaíocht ​ Reáchtálaimid go leor tionscadal freisin leis an bpobal áitiúil agus ar a son, mar shampla Cumann Óige Foraoise an Déin, Feachtais Gníomhaíochta Saoire, Líonra Ceoil Óige na Foraoise, Tionscadal GEM, Eolaire Compás na Foraoise, Walking with Wheels agus go leor eile. Breathnaigh ar ár leathanach Tionscadail le haghaidh sonraí iomlána. ​ “Pobail Níos Láidre a Thógáil i foraois an Déin" Tuilleadh eolais a fháil JOIN OUR MAILING LIST Get the latest community news and check out exciting volunteering opportunity in or around the Forest of Dean... Téigh go Facebook Useful publications: FREE directory of the many volunteering opportunities available locally... DOWNLOAD Ár gComhpháirtithe We work with so many amazing and supportive partners. Find out more here...

Community Engagement - NHS assets and services We are currently carrying out community engagement work in the Forest of Dean seeking information about the use of NHS assets and services. We would very much appreciate it if you could help provide information as part of this exercise. ​ We hope you will be able to provide answers to a few questions in a survey that should only take a few minutes to complete. ​ ​ We would appreciate it if you could provide some information about the groups that you facilitate – and indicate whether these are within NHS buildings or other buildings. Community Engagement Survey: Community Groups First name Last name Email Job title Organisation/Group Continue

Our Team. Our head office is based in Cinderford but everyday you will meet members of the FVAF team out and about supporting the community and building strong partnerships with other local organisations and groups... Chris Brown Chief Executive Officer Nick Penny Programme Manager Teresa Allewell Finance & Operations Manager Catherine Best ​ Communications & Fundraising Manager Cathy Griffiths Development Manager Deb Cook Volunteering Manager Connor Grimshaw Facilities Manager Cherry Potter-Irwin Finance & Administration Officer VACANT Youth Association Manager Lisa Robertson Youth Development Officer Katy Virgo Youth Development Officer Courtney Middleton Project Coordinator Alex Digby Digital & Community Hubs Facilitator Melanie Benn Community Builder Teresa Rose Community Connectors' Facilitator Natasha Nelson ​ Forest Food Network Coordinator Simon Price MY Networks Project Manager Emily Timmins Parish Youth Worker Fliss Simister Children, Young People & Families Development Officer Meet our trustees. We have a highly skilled board of trustees who meet regularly to monitor, challenge and guide what FVAF does now, and in the future. Penny Hulbert Chair of Trustees Sid Phelps Vice Chair of Trustees Jonathan Gault Trustee - Treasurer Simon Murray Trustee Diana Martin Trustee Roger Deeks Trustee Bob Rhodes Trustee Sue Pritchard Trustee Louise Penny Trustee Vicky Head Trustee Christopher Walker Trustee Interested in becoming a FVAF Trustee? To find out more contact 01594 822 073 or contact@fvaf.org.uk

VOTING NOW OPEN! VOTING CLOSES 10PM THIS SUNDAY - ??? SEPTEMBER Volunteer of the Year 2023 - People's Champion Time to choose your champion... We recently asked you to nominate a local volunteer who has gone above and beyond for their community over the past 12 months, and/or has an inspiring story. ​ We had some cracking nominations, and it was an extremely hard task to narrow it down BUT after much deliberation, our panel of community experts have shortlisted 5 community heroes. To vote for your favourite by selecting ONE of the following volunteers: Check out the profiles of the shortlisted nominees below Martin Elsmore VOLUNTEER AT The Golden Triangle Club An essential member of the volunteer team at The Golden Triangle Club, Martin gives a huge amount of his time and thought into providing a safe, fun place for adults with Learning Disability in the Forest of Dean and beyond. ​ Martin goes above and beyond to make sure that the members have the best time by arranging a selection of activities including demonstrating his fantastic DJing skills at regular discos and organising theatre and shopping trips. For the members, this club is a lifeline and really enhances their enjoyment of life. Steve Gregory VOLUNTEER at Foresters’ Forest & FVAF Steve has an incredible volunteer story. V olunteering has helped re-build his life and confidence after a brain tumour about 4 years ago. Along with volunteering with Foresters' Forest on a variety of wildlife projects, he has become an advocate and trainer for the accessible Walking with Wheels project and has become FVAF's in-house photographer. FVAF recently received funding to send Steve on a course to learn how to teach Mindfulness Photography. He plans to use these new skills by sharing them with the Forest of Dean Community. He is an inspiration and a great story of how volunteering can change people's lives. Hannah McGowan VOLUNTEER at Forest of Dean Hosts Ukrainians The founder of the FOD Hosts of Ukrainians support group, Hannah has given, and continues to give hundreds of hours of her time to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Responding to the pressing need to help Ukrainian refugees, Hannah was the driving force in bringing the local community together to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive place for Ukrainians by matching hosts and guests. From raising money to pay for transport and everyday living costs, Hannah and her amazing community team provide advice and support to host families and financial and emotional aid to guests. Les Cockle VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISER at Great Oaks Hospice An amazing example of a dedicated and selfless fundraiser, for many years Les has worked tirelessly repairing and refurbishing donated bikes which he sells from his house 7 days a week. Every penny made from the sale of the bikes is donated to Great Oaks Hospice. In just two years Les has raised an incredible £43,000 for the hospice and this money has helped the hospice to provide the wonderful care and support they offer to individuals and families across the Forest of Dean. Mark Jones VOLUNTEER at SWASFT Community First Responder for South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust Despite working full-time at a local secondary school, Mark supports the local community as a first responder, providing emergency care around the Forest of Dean at least twice a week. Throughout the pandemic Mark volunteered thousands of hours and regularly attends cardiac arrests and falls, throughout the night whilst still going to work in the morning. Find our more about the Forest Volunteers Awards here: