Empower Growth Start Now

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

Studija slučaja: Mary Sullivan Marija je dopredsjednica Zavičajnog društva Dekanske šume (LHS) i od samog početka sudjeluje u oblikovanju Šumarske šume. Prije nego što je program uopće dobio ime, ona i LHS imali su cilj približiti zavičajnu povijest djeci i mladima u Šumi, a ta je strast oblikovala njezinu ulogu članice Uprave. Mary je dugo bila povezana sa Šumom i bila je redoviti posjetitelj desetljećima prije nego što se konačno preselila ovamo 2008. godine kada je otišla u mirovinu. Brzo je postala aktivna članica LHS-a. "Kao 'dolaznik' bilo je važno uključiti se u stvari Forest of Dean kako bi se osjećali utemeljeno", rekla je Mary. „Pomoć u oblikovanju programa Foresters' Forest proširenje je ovoga“, objasnila je, „doprinos na ovaj mali način dao mi je više osjećaja pripadnosti“. Bilo je mnogo toga o Marynoj ulozi u Upravi što joj je dalo osjećaj postignuća. "Uključenost u planiranje i razmišljanje na višoj razini bilo je zadovoljstvo u mojoj mirovini", rekla je. “Uživao sam u susretu i radu s novim ljudima, te vidjeti kako se ideje ostvaruju.” Sada gotovo na pola puta kroz razdoblje financiranog Programa, Marija je vidjela kako se težnje sebe i LHS-a ostvaruju uz uspješan obrazovni program koji uključuje i osnovne i srednje škole u lokalnu povijest i baštinu. “Osnovna škola Lydbrook bila je pravi 'korak' u povezivanju svog nastavnog plana i programa s građenom, prirodnom i kulturnom baštinom dekana,” rekla je Mary. Rad škola kao što je Lydbrook sada se širi na druge lokalne škole kroz školske dane. “Bilo je jako lijepo vidjeti učitelje iz cijelog područja kako posjećuju projekte Šumarske šume na našim obilascima mini autobusom, otkrivajući više o tome kako mogu ugraditi bogatu baštinu ovog područja u podučavanje i učenje,” rekla je Mary. “Također sam bio oduševljen što su tako mnoga školska djeca uspjela steći praktična iskustva u arheologiji posjećujući iskopine naše zajednice u Yorkleyu, Soudleyju i Ruardeanu posljednjih godina.” Marija smatra da je svojom dobrovoljnom ulogom imala osobne koristi. “Naučila sam puno o različitim organizacijama koje rade na lokalnoj razini i važnom poslu koji obavljaju”, objasnila je. Marija je također iznimno ponosna na sve što je do sada postignuto programom Šumarske šume i raduje se što će se to nadograđivati u sljedećih nekoliko godina. Volontirajte sa Šumarskom šumom Posjetite web-stranicu Foresters' Forest Prijavite se na bilten Foresters' Forest

Studija slučaja: David Chaloner Briga za divlje ponije u šumi Dean pomogla je volonteru Davidu Chaloneru da ostane aktivan, nauči o očuvanju i napravi stvarnu promjenu u svom lokalnom krajoliku. David volontira s projektom Foresters' Forest Conservation Grazing, koji vodi Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Projekt je uveo područja divljih ponija i stoke na ispaši u šumi kako bi se poboljšalo stanište za širi raspon biljaka i divljih životinja. David je dio tima obučenih volontera Conservation Grazing koji pomažu osoblju Gloucestershire Wildlife Trusta provjeriti životinje na ispaši. Govoreći o svom podrijetlu s konjima, David je rekao: “Prerano sam otišao u mirovinu zbog problema s ravnotežom i vidom. Preselio sam se u Španjolsku gdje sam naučio jahati i po prvi put postao svjestan konja i koliko sam uživao u njihovoj blizini. Smiješna stvar je da moje stanje onemogućava vožnju biciklom, ali jahanje konja izgleda sasvim dobro, tako da ova stvorenja za mene predstavljaju nešto vrlo posebno.” Kad se David vratio u Deanovu šumu, volontiranje je brzo postalo važan dio njegova života. “Kada smo se vratili u Veliku Britaniju, na kraju nas je privukla Forest of Dean jer se osjećala kao tako sjajno mjesto”, rekao je. “Postao sam iznimno zauzet svim vrstama volontiranja otkako sam se doselio ovdje. Volontiranje mi puno znači, drži me zaposlenom, aktivnom i pruža strukturu i stalni interes.” Projekt Conservation Grazing značio je da je David po prvi put mogao kombinirati volontiranje i ponije. Rekao je: “Nisam znao za Foresters' Forest sve dok projekt očuvanja ispaše nije počeo i trebali su volonteri za provjeru zaliha. Budući da su konji stvarno moja stvar, kad sam vidio natpise na Edgehillsu da dolaze Exmoor Ponies, htio sam pomoći! Govoreći o svom iskustvu s projektom, David je rekao: “Biti provjeravač dionica uključivao je neke prave avanture u Edgehillsu. Sjajno smo se zabavili i igrali dok smo ponije ohrabrivali da prelaze iz jednog rezervata u drugi, posebno kada je bilo blato! Kao volonteri razgovaramo s lokalnim stanovništvom o smeći, a ne hranjenju ponija, i mislim da je to pomoglo u podizanju svijesti kod ljudi koji redovito šeću tim područjem.” Upoznavanje s šumskim ponijima za Davida je bio poseban dio projekta. "Biti sa životinjama i brinuti se za njih je vrhunac za mene", rekao je. “Obožavam ljeti kada možeš ući među njih i ako stojiš na mjestu godinama, mogli bi doći i dati ti njušku. To je pažljiva ravnoteža koju smo morali postići kao volonteri, jer nam je potrebno da se poniji osjećaju opušteno s nama kako bismo ih mogli provjeriti, ali želimo da ostanu divlji i da se drže podalje od javnosti. Moramo ih dobro upoznati i imati nadimke za neke od stvarnih likova.” Nisu samo poniji ono što Davida zaokuplja. “Volontiranje je donijelo društveni element koji nisam očekivao”, objašnjava. “Redovne posjete mjestu su ključne i nije neuobičajeno da se tijekom njih sretnete s drugim članovima volonterskog tima. Stekao sam neke dobre prijatelje i osjećam se u potpunosti u vezi s projektom, posebno kroz naše WhatsApp grupe Stock Checkers koje je tako jednostavan alat za interakciju kao tim. “Osjećam da ispunjavam važnu ulogu, a voditelji projekta su jasno dali do znanja da se naše volontersko sudjelovanje zaista cijeni. Uloga je prava odgovornost i predanost, stoga je sjajno osjećati se cijenjenim zbog onoga što radim.” Poniji u projektu Conservation Grazing rade važan posao za prirodu, jedući biljke koje dominiraju poput drače i draka te gaze papučicu. To je prirodan način upravljanja zemljom za razvoj šireg spektra životinja i biljaka, uključujući ptice, gmazove i kukce. David je već primijetio razliku u Šumi otkako je počeo kao volonter. “Naučio sam mnogo kroz svoje sudjelovanje u projektu”, rekao je. Životinje su mi bile primarni interes kada sam počeo, ali moja svijest o problemima očuvanja je enormno porasla. “Bilo je fascinantno vidjeti efekte koji se događaju. Promatrao sam nježno čišćenje tla, različite vrste su bile očitije. Postupno sam vidio sve više guja i veću raznolikost ptica u Edgehillsu. “Svim srcem uživam u svojoj ulozi provjeravanja dionica. Osjećam da na mali način pridonosim brizi za šumu Dean, i nadam se da ću nastaviti podržavati Projekt očuvanja ispaše koliko god mogu.” Volontirajte sa Šumarskom šumom Posjetite web-stranicu Foresters' Forest Prijavite se na bilten 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 Što je FVAF? FVAF je skraćenica od Forest Voluntary Action Forum. Nudimo podršku lokalnim građanima, grupama u zajednici i aktivnostima da rade stvari koje su im najvažnije. To uključuje sljedeće: ​ podrška i savjeti za razvoj trening informacija umrežavanje sastanaka olakšavanje predstavljanja volontersko zapošljavanje volonterski smještaj i podrška ​ Također vodimo mnoge projekte sa i za lokalnu zajednicu, kao što su Udruga mladih Šuma dekana, Kampanje blagdanskih aktivnosti, The Forest Youth Music Network, The GEM Project, The Forest Compass Directory, Hodanje s kotačima i još mnogo toga. Pogledajte našu stranicu Projekti za sve detalje. ​ „Izgradnja jačih zajednica u dekanska šuma" Saznaj više JOIN OUR MAILING LIST Get the latest community news and check out exciting volunteering opportunity in or around the Forest of Dean... Idite na Facebook Useful publications: FREE directory of the many volunteering opportunities available locally... DOWNLOAD Naši partneri 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: