Current job vacancies at FVAF Work for us. We are passionate about nurturing talented, compassionate, community minded team players. Join our friendly and supportive team! WE DON'T HAVE ANY VACANCIES RIGHT NOW - CHECK BACK SOON! Trouble downloading the documents? Contact communications@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073

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.

Volunteer Heroes Crowned! The community turned out in force on Wednesday 7 September to see local volunteers crowned at a glittering awards celebration evening we held at the AccXel Training Centre in Cinderford. We created the Forest Volunteer Awards to recognise and celebrate the amazing efforts of local volunteers in the Forest of Dean. Earlier this Summer, we asked local people to nominate those volunteer heroes who have demonstrated exceptional and outstanding support to the local community over the past 12 months. The response was amazing and we received hundreds of nominations. An expert panel had the tough task of shortlisting the nominations and picking the winners. However, one category - Volunteer of the Year – Peoples’ Champion – was decided by a public vote with almost 900 votes cast. The winners were crowned at a special evening, held at the stunning conference space at the impressive AccXel Training Centre, which was provided for free to FVAF by local construction company the KW Bell Group, who were the main sponsors of the event. Volunteer of the Year went to Les Cockle, volunteer fundraiser at Great Oaks Hospice whilst Forest of Dean Host Ukrainians and Ukraine Community Hub jointly picked up the Community Voluntary Group of the Year. Young volunteers were celebrated with Keira Stone, volunteer at disability group, Together We Can crowed under 16 years old Young Volunteer of the Year, whilst in the 17 – 25 years old category, Chloe Whatley and Jordan Terrel were rewarded for their tireless hard work volunteering at the Sea Cadets in Lydney. Lisa Tootell was crowned Outstanding New Volunteer of the Year for her amazing impact for the Girl Guides in the Forest of Dean and Hips Social were recognised for supporting the local community and investing in improving the local area. The winners were presented with an award, a framed certificate and £100 Amazon voucher, kindly provided by sponsors the KW Bell Group. Deb Cook, Volunteering Manager at FVAF said “So much of what happens within our community is because of people who give their time and energy for free. We think that recognising the amazing efforts of volunteers and organisations is incredibly important which is why we have been so pleased by the reaction of the local people who have supported these awards by nominating and voting.” Deb added, “It has been an incredible evening and we are so lucky and proud of the strength of the amazing voluntary sector we have in the Forest.” Master of Ceremony for the Forest Volunteer Awards was Kate Clark, BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter who kept the guests entertained with her expert hosting skills. Award winners were announced by guest presenter; Roger Deeks (FVAF Trustee), Nicola Bird and Yvonne Bell (KW Bell and main sponsor), Sue Middleton (Verderer of the Forest of Dean), Andy Lewis MBE (PT2 Para triathlete), Neill Ricketts (Founder of Versarien and chair the Forest of Dean Economic Partnership). The celebration evening was made possible thanks to generous sponsorship for the following local organisations: KW Bell Group and AccXel Training Centre – main sponsors Hot Tubs Rock Versarien The Midcounties Co- Operative FOREST VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS: Volunteer of the Year – Peoples’ Champion WINNER: Les Cockle – Great Oaks Hospice Highly Commended: Hannah McGowan (FOD Hosts of Ukrainians Support Group), Martin Elsmore (The Golden Triangle Club), Steve Gregory (FVAF / Walking with Wheels) and Mark Jones (Community First Responder SWASFT) Community Voluntary Group of the Year WINNER: FOD Hosts of Ukrainians Support Group and Ukraine Community Hub Highly Commended: Together We Can, Newnham Archery Club, Dean Radio, The Friends of Longhope Church and The Rewild Project Outstanding New Volunteer WINNER: Lisa Tootell – Girlguiding FOD South Division Highly Commended: Sarah Maxfield – Berry Hill Memorial Institute Young Volunteer of the Year 16yrs & under WINNER: Keira Stone – Together We Can Highly Commended: Toby Niblett – Lydney Youth Hub Young Volunteer of the Year 17 – 25yrs JOINT WINNERS: Jordan Terrell and Chloe Whatley – FOD Sea Cadets Community Impact Award WINNER: HIPs Social Highly Commended: Recycle Shop CIC Newent and Wilde Earth Journeys

The Digital Hubs Project Tackling digital exclusion across Gloucestershire The Digital Hubs Project is a new innovative approach, developed by Forest Voluntary Action Forum and GCC Adult Transformation Team, to tackle digital exclusion across Gloucestershire by offering free, accessible, tailored support to individuals. Starting out in October 2021, we have played the as role as county wide facilitator of the project in partnership with GCC’s Adult Transformation Team. Whilst being facilitator’s, we act as the Forest of Dean lead district provider, offering FREE 1:1 digital support across safe and trusted Community Drop-in Hubs. Coleford – Sixteen Community Cafe Sedbury – Sedbury Space Cinderford - Ow Bist - Forest Community Space Staunton – The Swan Community Hub Newent – The Chill Out Zone What does Digital Hubs aim to address? Motivation Not everyone sees why using the internet could be relevant and helpful A Digital Hub can demonstrate the huge benefits Confidence Some people fear online crime, lack trust or don’t know where to start online A Digital Hub can increase confidence via trusted relationships  Skills Not everyone has the ability to use the internet and online services A digital Hub can provide 1:1 training Access Not everyone has the ability to connect to the internet and go online A Digital Hub can provide access to free equipment and internet Since starting the journey of Gloucestershire Digital Hubs Project, awareness and recognition of the project has grown and is now recognised as essential community-based approach to tackling digital exclusion across Gloucestershire. Notability, the project was highlighted in the Report of the Director of Public health 2022/23 - No Person is an island: Social connections in Gloucestershire, which also included video cased study of the project. You can also  download the PDF version (PDF, 5.2 MB)  of Director of Public health 2022/23 For more information about the project visit the Digital Hub website HERE To find out more, dates, times and locations for upcoming FVAF Community Digital Drop-in Hubs, contact Alex on community@fvaf.org.uk  or 01594 822073.

What we do We support many community-led projects shaped with, and for local people: Employment and skills support Holiday Activity and Food Programme Community Builders Forest of Dean Youth Association Walking with Wheels Know Your Patch Forest Compass

Hodanje s kotačima: Često postavljana pitanja Što je 'Tramper'? Tramper je pokretno vozilo za sve terene na električni pogon. Ima ograničenu brzinu do 4mph što je idealno za pratnju šetača ili male djece na biciklima. Potpuna specifikacija Trampera može biti pronašao ovdje . Tko može koristiti ovu uslugu? Hodanje s kotačima je otvoreno za sve starije od 14 godina i tjelesne težine ispod 25 stone koji imaju poteškoća s hodanjem zbog privremenih ili trajnih poteškoća u kretanju. Na kojim rutama ga mogu koristiti? Dostupne rute uključuju Symond's Yat Rock i dolje do rijeke Wye u Symond's Yat od Forest Holidays i Arboretuma Cyril Hart, Mallards Pike i dijelove obiteljske biciklističke staze iz The Speech House. Karte ruta bit će dostavljene prilikom zapošljavanja. Kada je moguće unajmiti? Tramper je dostupan za najam od 9:00 do 5:00 7 dana u tjednu (zimi može biti kraće radno vrijeme kako bi se osigurao povratak prije sumraka). Kako mogu rezervirati? Molimo unaprijed rezervirajte svoj Tramper prije dana, kako biste izbjegli razočaranje. Za rezervaciju kontaktirajte izravno web-mjesta trampera. Za šumske praznike nazovite 01594 837165 Za The Speech House nazovite 01594 822607 Koliko košta unajmiti Trampera? Tramper košta samo 2,50 funti na sat. Za korisnike koji prvi put koriste tu je i godišnja članarina od 10 £ za Countryside Mobility ili 2,50 £ za dvotjedni ispitni sastanak. Što ako nikada prije nisam koristio jedan od ovih? Bez brige! Vrlo su jednostavni i sigurni za rukovanje, a svaki korisnik će dobiti potpunu indukciju kako bi se osigurao da se osjeća sigurno i ugodno za hvatanje u koštac s našim nevjerojatnim stazama. Što ako trebam dodatnu pomoć? Molimo da svi budu u pratnji na stazama kako biste uvijek imali nekoga uz sebe. Ako želite isprobati Trampera, prije nego što ga zaposlite, nazovite jedan od naših centara da se dogovorimo. Zašto moram postati član Countryside Mobility? Countryside Mobility je odgovorna za pružanje Trampera i to je razlog zašto se oni nude po tako pristupačnoj cijeni. Također rade na osiguravanju da svaka web-lokacija koja ugošćuje Tramper to čini na siguran i lako dostupan način. Ovo članstvo također će vam omogućiti da koristite bilo koji od Trampera na mnogim mjestima za mobilnost na selu diljem jugozapada. Za više informacija posjetite web stranicu Countryside Mobility . Obrasce za članstvo možete ispuniti u centru prije zapošljavanja. Mogu li pomoći s ovim projektom? Walking with Wheels oslanjaju se na volontere koji promoviraju našu uslugu. Ako ste zainteresirani za širenje informacija o našoj usluzi, ili želite pomoći na neki drugi način, nazovite 01594 822073 ili pošaljite e-mail na walkingwithwheels@fvaf.org.uk . Osigurat će se puna obuka i podrška. Što ako trebam otkazati rezervaciju? Molimo vas da o otkazivanju obavijestite barem 24 sata kako bismo mogli iznajmiti Tramper drugom korisniku. Za otkazivanje kontaktirajte web-lokaciju na kojoj ste rezervirali 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

Svratišta za izgradnju zajednice The drop-in hub provides support to create, inspire and build stronger communities together Ulazni centar pruža podršku za zajedničko stvaranje, inspiraciju i izgradnju jačih zajednica Svaki drop-in centar nudi raznoliku podršku, savjete i smjernice za lokalno stanovništvo. Na primjer; podrška i slanje potpisa lokalnim službama, povezivanje i postavljanje novog grupe u zajednici, podržavajući ljude da se približe zaposlenju ili daljnjem obrazovanju, pomažu u pristupu digitalnom svijetu i podržavaju oživotvorenje vaših ideja za zajednicu. Možemo ponuditi pomoć kod: Mogućnosti volontiranja Podrška zapošljivosti Lokalne grupe i klubovi IT i digitalna podrška Informacije o lokalnim događajima Objavljivanje potpisa lokalnim službama 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.

Udruga Šumske mladeži Udruga mladih Forest of Dean je tu da ponudi pomoć i podršku mladima i klubovima, grupama ili organizacijama mladih. Upoznati nove prijatelje Uključite se u svoju zajednicu Slijedite interes Probajte nešto novo Naučite nove vještine Dobrovoljac Napravite bolji svijet Volontiranje Postoji mnogo prilika za volontiranje i za mlade i za odrasle. Ako ste mlada osoba koja traži volonterski rad u slobodno vrijeme, za stjecanje više vještina ili kao dio vašeg DofE programa, nazovite nas ili posjetite https://do-it.org/ Slično, ako ste odrasla osoba koja ima vještine i znanja ili želite podržati organizaciju mladih unutar Dekanske šume, kontaktirajte nas jer postoje mnoge organizacije koje bi cijenile vašu podršku. Pridruženo članstvo za vaš klub/organizaciju Kada se učlanite u Udrugu mladih Forest of Dean, imat ćete pravo na naš cijeli niz usluga, koji nudi savjete i podršku u svim aspektima vođenja organizacije kao što je vaša. Također vodimo kalendar aktivnosti u kojima vaši volonteri i mladi mogu sudjelovati uz simboličnu naknadu. Za sve pojedinosti o pogodnostima ili za registraciju svog kluba kliknite na sljedeće poveznice Pogodnosti članstva u udrugama mladih za klubove Obrazac za članstvo u Udruzi mladih za klubove Kontakt podaci za više informacija Ako želite saznati više o nekom od naših projekata ili događaja ili kako se uključiti, kontaktirajte našu službenicu za razvoj udruga mladih, Alethea Bumpstead na 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 Financijska podrška Udruga mladih Forest of Dean s ponosom prima financijsku potporu od gradskih vijeća Cinderforda i Coleforda. Ako vaše Župno ili Gradsko vijeće želi saznati više o Udruzi mladih Dekanska šuma ili kako nas možete podržati, javite nam se e-poštom FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk

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

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

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.