Volunteer of the Year 2024 The People's Champion VOTING OPEN! 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 6 community heroes. Vote for your favourite by selecting ONE of the following volunteers: Liz Bell Pete Harper Elaine Quirk Lisa Robertson Sarah Wootton Emily Worrall VOTING CLOSES: MIDNIGHT MONDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER VOTE Thanks for voting! Check out the profiles of the shortlisted nominees below: Liz Bell Orchard Trust Site volunteer and Trustee Liz Bell has been a cornerstone of the Orchard Trust since she began volunteering at the Stowfield site in 2021. Her dedication and passion quickly became evident, leading her to take on the role of Trustee in 2022. Liz’s contributions extend far beyond her weekly volunteering; she has played a pivotal role in shaping the site and enhancing its value to the community. As a volunteer, Liz has taken charge of maintaining the sensory garden, apple tree circle, and general site upkeep. After spending time immersed in the environment, she began offering innovative ideas to improve it, always with the visitors' experience in mind. One of her most notable achievements was serving as the Volunteer Project Manager for the wildlife area. Liz not only designed and wrote the proposal for this project but also worked closely with the Stowfield site manager to ensure it was delivered on time and within budget—all in her own free time. Liz’s vision and hard work has helped to create a lasting community asset that is accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages, especially those who often face barriers to engaging with nature. Pete Harper Mycelium Mental Health Project Volunteer Pete Harper is the quiet force behind the success of the Mycelium Mental Health Project, a volunteer whose impact is felt far beyond the boundaries of the project itself. Described by his nominator as "one of the most humble and knowledgeable people I have ever met," Pete’s dedication and passion for mutual aid have been instrumental in establishing and nurturing Mycelium. Pete’s extraordinary commitment is matched by his generosity. He has been a steadfast supporter, working tirelessly to ensure the project's success. His influence extends beyond Mycelium, as he has become a vital advocate for our community’s mental health. Pete Harper is not just an extraordinary volunteer; he is a true champion for mental health, whose quiet strength and unwavering commitment continue to uplift and inspire all those around him. His work with Mycelium has created a lasting impact, ensuring that the most vulnerable in our community have a voice and a compassionate ally. Elaine Quirk Volunteer helper for Gloucestershire Carers Hub Elaine Quirk is the heart and soul of the Gloucestershire Carers Hub, where she serves as a Carer Welcomer at Bickys Carer Café in Coleford and Candi in Cinderford. With her gentle and kind demeanour, Elaine ensures that every unpaid carer who walks through the door feels truly welcomed and supported. Elaine has a remarkable ability to make people feel valued. Carers who attend the sessions she hosts often leave with a renewed sense of being heard, respected, and encouraged to share their experiences. Her presence has significantly increased footfall at Bickys during quieter times and helped Candi engage with new clients, extending the reach of the Carers Hub in meaningful ways. Elaine’s work goes beyond welcoming carers—it’s about creating a supportive space where they can find comfort and community. Her dedication to helping others has made a lasting difference in the lives of many, and her warm presence is an essential part of the Carers Hub’s success. Lisa Robertson Ruardean Youth Leader For nearly 20 years, Lisa Robertson has been the heart and soul of Ruardean Youth Club, dedicating countless hours of her free time to creating a safe, fun, and supportive environment for youth people aged 11-18. Under Lisa’s guidance, the Youth Club has become a vital resource for the community, offering a wide range of activities, advice, and information to help teenagers navigate their challenges. Lisa’s impact on the lives of hundreds of children and young people in Ruardean is immeasurable. She is known for her selfless dedication, always going above and beyond to ensure that the Youth Club not only thrives but also continues to meet the evolving needs of the community and every young person who walks through the door. Her contributions extend far beyond the Youth Club. Lisa also played a key role in organising the annual Ruardean Carnival and most recently, Lisa has spearheaded the creation of the Ruardean Community Orchard. Lisa’s tireless efforts and deep commitment to her community make her an extraordinary volunteer and a true inspiration. Her work has left a lasting legacy in Ruardean, enriching the lives of countless young people and helping to build a stronger, more connected community. Sarah Wootton Chair of the Committee - Brockweir Village Shop & Café As the Chair of the Committee for Brockweir Village Shop & Café, Sarah Wootton has been a pillar of strength and leadership for her community. When a devastating fire struck the shop in June 2023, Sarah immediately took charge, and with the help of the amazing committee and employees, Ferne and Kris, coordinated efforts to ensure the swift and successful rebuilding of this vital community hub. Sarah's dedication has been unwavering—she handled complex negotiations with the insurance company and loss adjustor, navigated the flood of daily emails, and provided steadfast support to the shop's staff and volunteers. Her commitment didn’t end with reopening the shop; she has continued to offer guidance and encouragement to everyone involved, helping them navigate the challenges that followed the fire. Sarah's efforts have ensured that even in the face of adversity, the shop, which serves as a cornerstone of the village is not just a place to shop—it’s a lifeline for locals and visitors alike. Emily Worrall Volunteer fundraiser at Great Oaks Hospice Emily Worrall is an invaluable member of the fundraising team at Great Oaks Hospice, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and a contagious positivity to everything she does. With her bright smile and can-do attitude, Emily ensures that the Hospice’s events are well-publicised, tirelessly delivering and posting event posters across all the Forest. Her dedication doesn’t stop there—Emily is always on hand at events, whether it’s setting up, taking down, or even getting the party started with her infectious dance moves at discos. Emily’s journey is truly inspiring. Despite facing learning difficulties, she has worked hard to live independently, and her contributions to the team go far beyond her tasks. Emily is more than just a volunteer; she is a cherished member of the Great Oaks Hospice family. Find our more about the Forest Volunteers Awards here:

Forum konektora zajednice - Upoznajte svoju mrežu zakrpa Supporting Strong and Thriving Communities with Know Your Patch Podrška jakim i uspješnim zajednicama uz pomoć Know Your Patch Dio Know Your Patch Foruma za povezivanje zajednice (CCF) povezuje volonterski i društveni sektor, zakonske službe i lokalno stanovništvo na način koji stvara bolje načine rada. The Forest of Dean Know Your Patch Network osmišljena je za povezivanje dobrovoljnog i društvenog sektora, zakonskih službi i lokalnog stanovništva na način koji stvara bolje načine rada što u konačnici jača naše zajednice. Ova 'ponuda zajednice' osobito je vitalna u sprječavanju ili odgađanju eskalacije zdravstvenih potreba. Mi smo domaćini tromjesečnih događanja u cijeloj Forest of Dean gdje pozivamo dionike da se pridruže raspravi o tome što je važno u njihovoj zajednici i kako usluge i grupe dobrovoljnog sektora mogu pomoći u tome. Svaki događaj Know Your Patch je BESPLATAN i otvoren za sve koji žele biti dio razgovora. Ako želite prisustvovati, nazovite na 01594 822073 ili e-mail help4groups@fvaf.org.uk . Također šaljemo redovite e-mailove i ažuriranja našoj mreži Know Your Patch o tome što se događa u Forest of Dean. Ako se želite pridružiti ovoj mreži, pretplatite se ovdje . Zahvaljujući financiranju iz Gloucestershire County Council , Know Your Patch je također dostupan u svakom drugom okrugu u Gloucestershireu. Ako želite saznati više o njima, posjetite ovdje . Evo nekih istraživanja koja naglašavaju naše razmišljanje: "Svi mi moramo igrati ulogu u pomaganju pojedincima i zajednicama da razviju društveni kapital. Sve je više uviđanje da, iako društvene skupine i zajednice u nepovoljnom položaju imaju niz složenih i međusobno povezanih potreba, one također imaju sredstva na društvenoj razini i razini zajednice koji mogu pomoći u poboljšanju zdravlja i jačanju otpornosti na zdravstvene probleme" (The Kings Fund, 2018.) "Oni s adekvatnim društvenim odnosima imali su 50 posto veću stopu preživljavanja u usporedbi s pojedincima s lošim društvenim odnosima" (Holt-Lunstad et al 2010.) "Pokazalo se da su društvene mreže jednako moćni prediktori smrtnosti kao i uobičajeni način života i klinički rizici kao što su umjereno pušenje, prekomjerna konzumacija alkohola, pretilost i visoki kolesterol i krvni tlak" (Pantell et al 2013; Holt-Lunstad et al, 2010) . „Društvena podrška je posebno važna u povećanju otpornosti i promicanju oporavka od bolesti“ (Pevalin i Rose, 2003.) „Nedostatak društvenih mreža i podrške otežava samoregulaciju ponašanja i izgradnju snage volje i otpornosti tijekom vremena, što dovodi do uključivanja u nezdrava ponašanja“ (Cacioppo i Patrick 2009.). "Sudjelovanje u zajednici smanjuje izolaciju, isključenost i usamljenost" (Farrell i Bryant 2009.; Sevigny i sur. 2010.; Ryan-Collins et al 2008.) „Snažan društveni kapital poboljšava šanse za izbjegavanje rizika od načina života kao što je pušenje“ (Folland 2008; Brown et al, 2006) Spring/Summer Programme 2025 Welcome back to the Spring/Summer 2025 sessions in the Forest Know Your Patch network. We continue with the mixture of shorter sessions (from 10-11am) and longer sessions (from 10am until noon) - providing the opportunity for a more in-depth look at topics. The latter also provide a platform for attendees to share information about their work and current developments and partnerships. We have included a live event in Cinderford, in the heart of the Forest, at the end of May, and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at that networking event. If you would like to deliver a presentation at a forthcoming meeting or there is a topic that you would like to be addressed, please contact Teresa Rose, FKYP Facilitator at fodkyp@fvaf.org.uk to discuss this further. We look forward to seeing you in the forthcoming weeks. PROGRAMME 2025 Late Spring/Early Summer April 29th – 10-11am: Health in the Forest - Rethink/Great Oaks Hospice May 13th – 10-11am: Forest Food Network May 27th (tbc) IN-PERSON: Forest Digital Forest Showcase with Alex Digby June 10th – 10-11am Partnership Development - Integrated Care Board - Community Catalysts & Physical Health Self-Management June 24th – 10 - 11am: Join us for a “Virtual Cuppa” – And Help to Shape Know Your Patch in the Future July 8th – 10am - 12noon: Family Hubs in the Forest July 22nd – 10 - 11am : Holiday Provision for Children & Families All meetings are online via MS TEAMS except 27th May - further details about this event will be sent in due course.

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

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

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.

Our partners We work with, and are supported by so many fantastic organisations. The projects and services we deliver in partnership with others, and the funding we receive makes it possible for us to support voluntary activity and community action in the Forest of Dean. These are just some of the organisations we currently work closely with:

Volontiranje Kao Volonterski centar za Dekansku šumu mi smo ovdje da vam pomognemo u regrutiranju i upravljanju volonterima Naše novo volontiranje knjižica ispunjena detaljima lokalnog volontiranja prilike sada nestaju KLIKNITE ZA PREUZIMANJE Ili pokupite primjerak u lokalnoj knjižnici ili Community Hubu Kao Volonterski centar za Šuma Dean često smo prva točka kontakta za sve koji su zainteresirani za volontiranje. Prošle godine bili smo ponosni što smo podržali više od 100.000 sati vrijednog volontiranja na tom području! FVAF promiče i oglašava širok raspon prilika za volontiranje od organizacija koje dijele naš etos u podršci volonterima i prepoznavanju širokog spektra razloga zašto se ljudi odlučuju volontirati. Zašto Volontirati? Volontiranje ima niz golemih prednosti, ne samo za vas pojedinačno, već i za vašu zajednicu i svijet u kojem živimo. Ako želite poboljšati svoj životopis, upoznati nove ljude, iskoristiti svoje vještine, naučiti nešto novo, ostvariti interes, ponuditi iskustvo ili jednostavno napraviti razliku, zajamčeno imamo priliku za vas! O ovim prilikama možete saznati na sljedeće načine: Mogućnosti pretraživanja na Do-it.org Nazovite nas na 01594 822073 Javite se putem email Posjetite nas na FVAF-u pon - pet 9:00 - 1:00 ( Smjernice ) Ako želite volontirati kao dio velike grupe, na primjer u sklopu korporativnog volontiranja, tada imamo i široku lepezu mogućnosti za odabir. 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 Kao mjesto na jednom mjestu za sve stvari volontiranja, koristimo višestruku metodologiju kako bismo vam pružili najbolju moguću priliku za regrutiranje i zadržavanje vrijednih volontera. To uključuje sljedeće: Oglašavanje vaših prilika na Do-it.org Promoviranje vaših prilika javnosti upućenoj nama ili putem naše funkcije za slanje. Oglašavanje vaših mogućnosti na našim Facebook i Twitter stranicama Promicanje vaših mogućnosti lokalnim službama koje podržavaju volontiranje, npr. Centar za zapošljavanje, LearnDirect i 2GetherTrust Oglašavanje vaših prilika na više od 30 događaja godišnje Šaljete svoje mogućnosti lokalnim tvrtkama koje nude volontiranje uz potporu poslodavca Promicanje relevantnih mogućnosti školama, fakultetima i sveučilištima Distribuiranje vaših mogućnosti u našu bazu volontera od preko 1000 ljudi Promoviranje vaših prilika na raznim mrežama, uključujući 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)

Summer Holiday Activities & Food We’ve teamed up with Gloucestershire Cou nty Counci l and arranged a packed timetable of FREE fun! The HAF programme is open to all school aged children, who live in the Forest of Dean, and who qualify for free school meals. If funding allows, s ometimes activities are extended and offered to all children and young people across Gloucestershire through the Holiday Activities Programme (HAP). There's something for eve ryone - we've got sports clubs, cooking, crafts, play sessions an d so much more... You need to be registered to book | All sessions mus t be pre bo oke d REGISTER HERE For information or support with the HAF Spring programme contact: HAFParentEnquiries@gloucestershire.gov.uk or ring the HAF helpline on 01452 427960. BOOKING NOW OPEN! CHECK OUT THE TIMETABLE **PLEASE NOTE: You can only book 4 activities at a time - please wait 24 hours before you book again** For more information visit the Gloucestershire County Council website here

Postanite član FVAF-a Članstvom u FVAF-u pomažete nam da nastavimo pružati vitalnu uslugu podrške dobrovoljnom i društvenom sektoru u Šuma Dean . FVAF djeluje kao zagovornik dobrovoljnog i društvenog djelovanja gdje je to prikladno na okružnoj, županijskoj i nacionalnoj razini, a što više članova predstavljamo, to je naš glas jači. Članovi se stoga konzultiraju o pitanjima koja utječu na volonterski i društveni sektor u Dekanskoj šumi i što želimo postići kao organizacija. Kao član, uživat ćete u pristupu našim uredskim uslugama, sniženim cijenama ispisa i kopiranja, promociji slobodnih mjesta za volontere za svoju grupu i besplatnom najmu niza uredske opreme. Ovo uključuje: Ploče za prikaz Petlja za sluh Digitalni projektor i ekran PA sustav Flip Charts Dugi sklopivi stol Urna za ugostiteljstvo tople vode Gazebo (potrebna donacija od 5 funti) Ako želite postati član FVAF-a, kliknite na gumb Pridruži se FVAF-u s desne strane i ispunite obrazac. Za više informacija nazovite 01594 822073 BESPLATNO je postati član FVAF-a za pristup svim našim uslugama podrške Pridružite se FVAF-u

Vijesti i događaji Strengthening Communities Through Climate Action 9.30am – 12.30pm Wednesday 12th March The Main Place, Coleford, GL16 8RH BOOK HERE Join us for a session focused on how we can improve people’s lives and strengthen communities through action on climate change. The session is run in partnership with Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership. We will explore how climate change is relevant to the Forest of Dean and what action is already happening in the district to make a difference. We will look at how climate action can support your work on issues like cost of living, warmer homes, tackling pollution, improving health, transport and jobs. You will hear from other organisations in the Forest, who have started developing plans to address their impact on the planet and what they have learnt. Hear how to save money and make homes and workplaces better places to live and work. Find out where to get support and more information. For more information e mail either FoDKYP@fvaf.org.uk or Piers.Cardiff@fdean.gov.uk

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. The whole team loved the space you have at Ow Bist, but also really valued the partnership approach. Hirer at Ow Bist What to find out more? Interested in hiring the space? Contact us at contact@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073

TRUSTEES' WEEK 2022 - Showcasing & celebrating trustees Next week (7 – 11 November) we will be taking part in a national celebration of charity trustees as part of Trustees’ Week 2022 . Ever wondered what a trustee does? Maybe you’d like to take on a trustee role but don’t know where to start. Across the week we will try and answers your questions by looking at what a trustee is, the benefits of taking on a trustee role and showcasing the fantastic impact it can have to local people and communities. Follow us on Facebook for daily tips and info and check our website for updates and links to useful resources. Are you recruiting trustees? Tell us! If you are an organisation of community group looking for trustees – this is the perfect opportunity to recruit! To advertise your trustee opportunities just send the info to communications@fvaf.org.uk by 5pm Thursday 10 November