🌟 Forest Volunteer Awards 2025 – Celebrating Local Heroes 🌟

This year, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible individuals, groups, and organisations who go the extra mile to make the Forest of Dean a better place. Whether they’re quietly making a difference or leading bold community change, we want to hear their stories.

 

THE CATEGORIES: 

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🏆 Volunteer of the Year – People's Champion

This is your chance to celebrate an unsung hero. Someone who consistently goes above and beyond to support others, uplift their community, or inspire through their own journey. Their dedication may have transformed lives—or even kept vital services running. We're looking for someone who:

• Shows exceptional dedication and commitment to their volunteer role

• Has made a significant positive impact on individuals or the wider community

• Demonstrates reliability, compassion, and selflessness

• May have overcome personal challenges while helping others

• Goes above and beyond to support those in need

✨ This is the only award chosen by public vote! Once finalists are announced, the community will decide who takes home the title.

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🌱 Young Volunteer of the Year (21 & under)

Recognising a young person who's making a big impact. Whether they've overcome personal challenges or shown outstanding commitment to helping others, this award celebrates young volunteers —in schools, clubs, or community projects. We're looking for a young person who:

• Demonstrates exceptional commitment to volunteering despite their age

• Serves as a role model and inspiration to other young people

• Shows maturity, leadership, and dedication beyond their years

• May have overcome personal obstacles while helping others

• Actively contributes to making their school, club, or community better

Examples might include: peer mentoring, fundraising champions, environmental activists, community event organisers, or young carers who also volunteer.

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🤝 Grassroots Group of the Year

For small, volunteer-led groups making a big difference. From lunch clubs to sports teams, support circles to hobby groups—if your local group is powered by passion and community spirit, we want to celebrate it. We're looking for groups that:

• Are entirely or predominantly volunteer-run

• Demonstrate strong community impact despite limited resources

• Show innovation, creativity, and resilience in their approach

• Foster genuine connections and belonging among members

• Address local needs or bring people together around shared interests

• Operate with transparency, inclusivity, and community spirit

Examples might include: village halls committees, friendship groups, local history societies, craft circles, walking groups, or neighbourhood support networks.

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🏢 Community Organisation Award

Recognising larger charities, CICs, CIOs, or teams of staff and volunteers making a meaningful impact in the Forest of Dean. We celebrate organisations that:

• Make a real difference by creating positive, lasting change in the local community

• Join forces with other local groups and partners to work together effectively

• Stay open and accountable while encouraging active community participation

• Keep evolving to meet new challenges and the changing needs of the community

• Use resources wisely to bring the greatest possible benefits to those who need them

• Stay true to the mission and focus on what matters most to the Forest of Dean

• Champion volunteering by effectively recruiting, supporting, and valuing volunteers

​This award highlights established organisations with formal structures, paid staff, and a commitment to fostering and sustaining volunteer contributions.

 

 

🏢💚 Business in the Community Award

Celebrating local businesses that give back. Whether through employee volunteering, project sponsorship, or hands-on community support, this award recognises businesses that are making a real social impact. We're looking for businesses that:

• Go beyond profit to actively contribute to community wellbeing

• Encourage and support employee volunteering during work time

• Provide meaningful sponsorship, donations, or in-kind support

• Partner with local charities and community groups

• Operate with environmental and social responsibility

• Demonstrate genuine, long-term commitment to the Forest of Dean

Examples might include: businesses offering apprenticeships to local youth, companies supporting community events, employers giving staff volunteer days, or businesses donating skills, space, or resources.

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♿ Accessibility & Inclusion Award (sponsored by  FoD Dementia Action Alliance)

This award celebrates organisations or groups that are actively working to break down barriers and create welcoming, inclusive spaces. It's not about being perfect—it's about showing commitment to accessibility, equity, and belonging for all. We're looking for organisations that:

• Actively work to remove physical, social, or communication barriers

• Demonstrate understanding of diverse needs including disability, age, culture, and background

• Show ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and inclusion

• Provide training, support, or resources to become more inclusive

• Create environments where everyone feels valued and able to participate

• Take practical steps to accommodate different needs and abilities

This could include: dementia-inclusive initiatives, wheelchair accessible improvements, sensory-friendly adaptations, multilingual support, or programmes specifically designed to welcome marginalised groups.

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🌍 Community Climate Action Award (sponsored by Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership)

For individuals or VCSE groups leading the way in environmental action. From community gardens and repair cafés to sustainable transport and flood resilience—if you're helping the Forest adapt and thrive in a changing climate, we want to hear from you. We're looking for nominees who:

• Take practical action to address climate change or environmental challenges

• Inspire and educate others about sustainable living

• Develop innovative solutions to local environmental issues

• Build community resilience to the impact of the changing climate

• Create lasting positive environmental change in the Forest of Dean

Examples might include: renewable energy projects, sustainable food initiatives, active travel promotion, waste reduction campaigns, or climate adaptation projects.