Current Opportunities Many local organisations, across the Forest of Dean, are currently looking for trustees with a variety of skills & experience: LYDNEY DIAL-A-RIDE Lydney Dial-a-Ride is a friendly door-to-door transport service for those people who do not have their own transport and are unable to use public transport. They operate a fleet of fully accessible minibuses capable of carrying wheelchair passengers and other seated passengers. Trustee role: They are looking for people who have HR experience, managing a small to medium organisation or wishing to make a difference in their local community. The Trustees meet every other month and keep in regular contact via email and telephone. Chat louise@lydneydialaride.co.uk | 01594 843809 EARLYBIRDS PLAYGROUP Earlybirds Playgroup are a local charity-based playgroup offering education for early years children from 2 to 4 years old. Established in January 1999, it is the aim of the committee and staff to keep it running successfully for many more years. Located in Cinderford in the Forest of Dean, all members of staff are qualified to a high level and have many years of experience of working within young children; they attend regular safeguarding, first aid and continuing professional development training which allows them to support each child in their development and well-being. Trustee role: Currently that have a committee with 7 trustees but are looking to expand and would welcome anyone with IT skills, finance, marketing, or legal along with anyone with an interest in early years education. Chat earlybirdschair@yahoo.com or 07553215307 ST BRIAVELS ASSEMBLY ROOMS The St Briavels Assembly Rooms are a village hall built for the benefit of the parishioners of St Briavels, Hewelsfield and Brockweir. The Rooms consist of a main hall with stage, a bar/cafe area a commercial kitchen, a meeting room/office and a walled courtyard. Activities at the Rooms include lettings to local groups and private individuals, a regular tearoom, events with a bar, a produce market and a 100 Club lottery. Trustees meet about every 6 weeks, or about 8 times a year. The Trustees, who are not remunerated, also volunteer as much as they can and are supported by a team of community volunteers who help to deliver the key services. Trustee role: Looking for Trustees who can contribute knowledge, expertise and volunteer time especially in the following areas: Event management: co-ordinating the creation and delivery of an annual programme of events Minutes Secretary: taking minutes at Trustee meetings. Chat sbar.helpers@gmail.com LOVE DRYBROOK TRUST The Love Drybrook Trust raises money through trading at the Shop on the Cross in the centre of Drybrook. This is a charity shop run by enthusiastic volunteers and selling mainly to local people. They also offer a small coffee and chat area within the shop. Money raised is distributed primarily once a year and when specific requests are received - these may be from individuals and families or community groups. Trustee role: They would value new trustees who could bring experience to any aspects of what they do and who are keen to support the local community. The trust has firm Christian foundations and seeks to share that faith practically by supporting local people, especially the most vulnerable, in a variety of ways. Chat Revd. Clare Edwards, 01594 726318 revclareedwards@gmail.com HOPE SUPPORT SERVICES About: Hope Support Services is a charity providing support to Children and Young People experiencing a health crisis within their family or with someone who is significant to them. Based in Ross-on-Wye but cover all of Herefordshire with in person support, and provide online support nationally. Trustee role: They are looking for a talented, passionate individual to join the board as their new Finance Trustee. Chat Find our more HERE FOREST SENSORY SERVICES Forest Sensory Services is a small friendly charity, who provides support to those with sensory impairment (sight and hearing). They promote and encourage clients to remain as independent as possible with their impairments. FSS depend on volunteers to support the services they provide. Trustee role: FSS are interested in hearing from anyone interested in support their activities. Chat Support@forestsensoryservices.org FOREST OF DEAN CHILDREN’S OPPORTUNITY CENTRE The Forest of Dean Children’s Opportunity Centre was set up as a registered charity in 1982. The aim of the centre is for all children regardless of any special need or disability to play and learn alongside each other in a safe and stimulating environment. The Centre provides an informal meeting place for parents and those professionals involved in the care of the children who have diverse and complex special needs. Trustee role: The centre is looking to recruit up to two new trustees following recent retirements and a review of skills needed on the board. They are particularly looking for an individual with accounting skills to take on the role of treasurer, someone with legal expertise, ideally but not essentially in the field of charity law, and someone with broad general business experience. They would also welcome new parent trustees. Chat sue_burrows@hotmail.com or 01594 544174 CANDI Established in 1995 to improve conditions of life in Cinderford and the surrounding area, CANDI has particularly been committed to increasing the opportunities, to raising their aspirations and providing drop-ins for young people aged 11 to 17 in Cinderford and Drybrook. CANDI is now extending the scope of its work to reach out to community groups of all ages, setting up its own groups and working in partnership with other charities in the Forest of Dean. Trustee role: CANDI is seeking trustees generally but also with specialist skills in the following areas: IT, legal, publicity, HR, fundraising, premises management Chat Company Secretary - cosec@candi.email **NEW CHARITY**MINDFULVISION MindfulVision offers employment opportunities and training for Blind, Severely Sight Impaired (SSI), Visually Impaired (VI) and disabled people. Trustee role: this new charity is looking for people who can help create a more inclusive society where blind and disabled people can participate fully and equally in the workforce. Chat guy.woodland@mindfulvision.org

Join our roadshow! Volunteer Week 2024 3-8 June We’re hitting the road again this year to celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2024! Volunteers' Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make, across the UK, through volunteering in their communities. In the first week of June (3-8), we will be taking our community engagement vehicle out and about across the Forest of Dean, promoting and celebrating all things volunteering. If you’re a local group or organisation who needs volunteers and would like the opportunity to promote what you do to the local community, we’re inviting you to join us. From 10am -2pm we will be in: Wednesday 5 June LYDNEY - Taurus Crafts, The Old Park Park, Aylburton, Lydney GL15 6BU Thursday 6 June CINDERFORD - Ow Bist - Forest Community Space, Dockham Road GL14 2AN Friday 7 June COLEFORD - The Clocktower, Market Place GL16 8AW Saturday 8 June NEWENT - Newent Market Hall, Broad Street If you’d like to join us, please let us know by 31 May. BOOK YOUR PLACE **PLUS pop along and pick up the latest editions of our popular publications ‘Volunteering in the Forest of Dean’ and ‘Forest Compass’. Can’t make it? We’re happy to take along any flyers/leaflets/poster/giveaways to promote your group or organisation – just drop them into the FVAF office at Ow Bist - Forest Community Centre, Dockham Road, Cinderford GL14 2AN (located in the Tesco carpark) by 4pm Friday 31 May.

Get top tips to ‘Live for Less’ at community drop-in event! 2pm - 5pm Wednesday 22 March| Lydney Town Hall GL15 5DY Come along to our FREE drop-in event for top tips and advice to help you with the rising cost of living. From 2pm to 5pm you will get the chance to visit over 25 information stalls and speak face-to-face with experts who can offer help with food support, reducing bills, energy saving, searching for a job and benefits and money advice. PLUS we’ve got some fantastic interactive demos featuring cooking with Dean Forest Kitchen, grow your own tips from Adult Education Gloucestershire and upcycling skills with Newent Upcycling. In addition, AEG will also be giving a taste of the other sessions that they offer . Chris Brown, our CEO at said “With the cost of living constantly on the rise we are seeing first-hand the strain and impact this is having on the day-to-day lives of local people. This drop-in event will offer tips and advice and help everyone discover sustainable ways to cut their bills and save money.” ‘Living for Less’ is a free community drop-in event with a wide range of organisations signed up to attend including Forest of Dean District Council, Citizens Advice Bureau, Severn Wye Energy Agency, DWP, Homestart, Wlydwood, Two Rivers Housing and many other local community and support groups. Full list of organisations attending: Forest of Dean District Council - community, health, benefits and housing teams SevernWye Energy Agency Citizens Advice Bureau Department For Work and Pensions – Benefits and employment team Newent Upcycling Dean Forest Kitchen Friends of Forest Waterways Christians Against Poverty Wyldwood Crossroads Care Gloucestershire Carers Healthwatch Gloucestershire Adult Education Gloucestershire FRED – Forest Read Easy Deal Charlie's in the Forest Lydney Hub Gloucestershire Community Rail Two Rivers Housing Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Mothers in Mind/Homestart Lydney Exchange Gloucestershire Nightstop Great Oaks Hospice Managing Memory GOPA - Gloucestershire Older Persons' Association Dementia Action Alliance - DDA CCP – Caring for Communities and People For more information contact contact@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073.

Get Help To Unlock Your Community’s Potential! Forest of Dean District Council has just launched Community Grants 2025 to 2026 . This one-off funding is open to not-for-profit voluntary and community groups in the Forest of Dean to help build stronger, more cohesive communities. To help you fill in the application form we’ve teamed up with Gloucestershire Rural Community Counci l to offer drop-in sessions or bookable slots across the Forest: 18 March 2025 | Sedbury Village Hall & Sedbury Space Drop-in: 10am - 11am Bookable slots: 11am - 12pm 26 March 2025 | FODDC Offices, Coleford Bookable slots: 1pm - 3:30pm 7 April 2025 | Sixteen Community Café, Coleford Drop-in: 11am - 1pm 10 April 2025 | Newent Memorial Hall Bookable slots: 11am - 12pm Drop-in: 12:30pm - 1:30pm 28 April 2025 | The Victoria Centre, Victoria Road, Lydney Bookable slots: 10am - 12:30pm Drop-in: 2pm - 4pm 1 May 2025 | Ow Bist - Forest Community Space, Cinderford Bookable slots: 11am - 12pm Drop-in: 12pm - 1pm Learn more about the FoDDC Community Grants and download the application documents HERE For more information or to book your slot, contact us at volunteer@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

Recovery & Wellbeing Café

Forest of Dean Mental Health Locality Partnership

Peer Development

Թվային նորարարություն Լայնորեն ընդունված է, որ Դինի անտառում գտնվող մարդիկ թվայնորեն բացառված են զգում: FVAF-ը, համագործակցելով Gloucestershire County Council-ի, Digital Unite-ի և IT Schools Աֆրիկայի հետ, քրտնաջան աշխատում է վերացնելու այս խոչընդոտները: Թվային չեմպիոնների խմբի վերապատրաստման և Դինի անտառի շուրջ մի շարք «pop-up» թվային անկումներ գործարկելու միջոցով մենք հուսով ենք, որ դուք կկարողանաք աջակցել նրանց, ովքեր ցանկանում են բարելավել իրենց թվային հմտությունները, լինի դա սովորել, թե ինչպես կատարել տեսազանգեր մտերիմների հետ, վճարեք հաշիվները առցանց, ուղարկեք էլ-նամակներ կամ հաճախեք վիրտուալ դասերի: Բացի «pop-up» ուսումնական կենտրոններից, մենք շուտով կտեղադրենք թվային ուսուցման հավաքակազմ Սինդերֆորդի մեր համայնքի շենքում: Մենք նաև կաշխատենք GRCC-ի և տեղական գյուղապետարանների հետ՝ բարելավելու իրենց թվային ենթակառուցվածքը՝ գյուղական համայնքներում ավելի լավ կապ ապահովելու համար: Եթե դուք հետաքրքրված եք դառնալ թվային չեմպիոն և աջակցել ուրիշներին, խնդրում ենք կապվել Նիք Փենիի հետ Projects@fvaf.org.uk էլ. ՏՏ դպրոցներ Աֆրիկա Թվային չեմպիոններ GRCC

SUMMER HAF - HOLIDAY, ACTIVITIES & FOOD WEEK 1 - 1 to 4 August MONDAY PROSTARS KIDS CLUB CAMP (4-12yrs) Dene Magna Secondary School, Picklenash Junior School, Dean Academy Secondary School PROGRESSIVE SPORTS ACTIVE CAMPS (4-13yrs) St Whites Primary School, Cinderford SWIM PASS (4-16 yrs) Freedom Leisure, Cinderford LITTLE LEARNERS CRAFTS, MESSY PLAY AND MORE Foxglove Gardens, Coleford WILDINGS HOLIDAY CLUB (5-12yrs) Noxon Farm Permaculture, Lydney REKINDLE YOUTH HOLIDAY HANG OUT (13-16yrs) Kensley Sheds, Cinderford, Coleford Recreation BOOK HERE Click to book WEDNESDAY PROSTARS KIDS CLUB CAMP (4-12yrs) Dene Magna Secondary School, Picklenash Junior School, Dean Academy Secondary School PROGRESSIVE SPORTS ACTIVE CAMPS (4-13yrs) St Whites Primary School, Cinderford SWIM PASS (4-16 yrs) Freedom Leisure, Cinderford LITTLE LEARNERS CRAFTS, MESSY PLAY AND MORE Foxglove Gardens, Coleford WILDINGS HOLIDAY CLUB (5-12yrs) Noxon Farm Permaculture, Lydney REKINDLE YOUTH HOLIDAY HANG OUT (13-16yrs) Kensley Sheds, Cinderford, Coleford Recreation BOOK HERE Click to book TUESDAY PROSTARS KIDS CLUB CAMP (4-12yrs) Dene Magna Secondary School, Picklenash Junior School, Dean Academy Secondary School PROGRESSIVE SPORTS ACTIVE CAMPS (4-13yrs) St Whites Primary School, Cinderford SWIM PASS (4-16 yrs) Freedom Leisure, Cinderford NEWENT INITIATIVE ACTIVITY SESSIONS (9-16 yrs) Chillout Zone, Newent LITTLE LEARNERS CRAFTS, MESSY PLAY AND MORE Foxglove Gardens, Coleford WILDINGS HOLIDAY CLUB (5-12yrs) Noxon Farm Permaculture, Lydney REKINDLE YOUTH HOLIDAY HANG OUT (13-16yrs) Kensley Sheds, Cinderford, Coleford Recreation BOOK HERE Click to book THURSDAY PROSTARS KIDS CLUB CAMP (4-12yrs) Dene Magna Secondary School, Picklenash Junior School, Dean Academy Secondary School PROGRESSIVE SPORTS ACTIVE CAMPS (4-13yrs) St Whites Primary School, Cinderford SWIM PASS (4-16 yrs) Freedom Leisure, Cinderford ARCHERY King George V Field, Coleford LITTLE LEARNERS CRAFTS, MESSY PLAY AND MORE Foxglove Gardens, Coleford WILDINGS HOLIDAY CLUB (5-12yrs) Noxon Farm Permaculture, Lydney REKINDLE YOUTH HOLIDAY HANG OUT (13-16yrs) Kensley Sheds, Cinderford, Coleford Recreation BOOK HERE Click to book FRIDAY PROSTARS KIDS CLUB CAMP (4-12yrs) Dene Magna Secondary School, Picklenash Junior School, Dean Academy Secondary School PROGRESSIVE SPORTS ACTIVE CAMPS (4-13yrs) St Whites Primary School, Cinderford SPORTILY ADVENTURE DAY Christian Adventure Centre, Lydney ARCHERY King George V Field, Coleford WILDINGS HOLIDAY CLUB (5-12yrs) Noxon Farm Permaculture, Lydney REKINDLE YOUTH HOLIDAY HANG OUT (13-16yrs) Kensley Sheds, Cinderford, Coleford Recreation BOOK HERE Click to book For more information visit the Gloucestershire County Council website here

Մատչելիություն և կայունություն Գրասենյակային ծառայություններ Աշխատակազմ և հոգաբարձուներ Քաղաքականություն Մատչելիություն և կայունություն PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION! Check back soon...