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.

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

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

Šumski kompas Forest Compass je fizički i online imenik s popisom mnogih redovitih aktivnosti, grupa podrške i klubova dostupnih u cijeloj Forest of Dean. Šuma je dom stotinama društvenih i aktivnosti grupa svih vrsta, od grupa za bebe, preko klubova za ručak, muških šupa do kafića za pamćenje. Mnoge su besplatne ili vrlo niske cijene za sudjelovanje i vođenje od strane volontera ili neprofitnih grupa. Nažalost, mnogi ljudi koji bi mogli imati koristi od takvih grupa nisu svjesni nevjerojatnih prilika na svom pragu. Ako vodite volontersku vodeću aktivnost, klub ili grupu za podršku u Forest of Dean, oglašavajte se u fizičkom imeniku Forest Compass i u online imeniku ovdje, BESPLATNO ispunjavanjem donjeg obrasca. Download OTHER USEFUL DIRECTORIES: YourCircle Check out a local directory to help you find your way around care and support and connect with people, places and activities in Gloucestershire

Youth Support in the Forest of Dean Forest Youth Association Here to offer help and support to young people and youth clubs, groups or organisations. Discover more Local Youth Clubs Check out the timetable of regular youth clubs and events What's on offer NEW! Universal Youth Services We’ve joined forces Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and The Venture Community Hub, to make a real difference in the lives of young people Discover more

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!

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

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

Our team transforms Local Spaces during Volunteers Week 2025 We rolled up our sleeves this week and got stuck in with some fantastic Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) as part of Volunteers Week 2025! We got out about in the local community to two fantastic local community groups: Team Paint Squad grabbed their brushes and got stuck in with smiles on their faces (and paint on their clothes!) to transform the Forest Fighting Fit studio with a fresh coat of paint - brightening up their space, recovery room, and bathrooms. Team Green Fingers headed down to Steam Mills to work their magic at the community garden for Cinderford Grows. Armed with gloves, tools, and plenty of enthusiasm, our team tackled overgrown areas, cleared stubborn weeds, and gave the pathway a beautiful fresh layer of wood chippings. Deb Cook, FVAF's Volunteering Manager said: "We all had a blast and were reminded that volunteering can be both rewarding and great fun!" A huge thank you to Forest Fighting Fit and Cinderford Grows for welcoming us with open arms.

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.

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.