NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! CLOSING DATE: MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 20 JULY 2025 Nomination Form 2025 Please select in which category you would like to nominate the individual or group. Your Volunteer of the Year Young Volunteer of the Year 21yrs & under Community Organisation of the Year Grassroots Award - Voluntary Group of the Year ESV Business in the Community Award FoD Dementia Action Alliance Accessibility & Inclusion Award FoDCAP Community Climate Action Award Name of the volunteer/group being nominated: Name of the organisation or group linked to the nominee (for individual nominees only) Volunteer role or role of group Contact details for nominee (email and telephone) If you are providing personal contact details, do you have permission to share this person's information? If not, no problem—we will use the general contact details of the group or organisation associated with the nominee instead. Yes No Reason for nomination - please provide a brief description which outlines why you think this individual or group stands out. What makes them special and worthy of being celebrated? Your name Your email address Are you happy for us to keep your contact details for the purpose of this nomination only? Yes No Submit

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

Mycelium My Networks Mental Health Project Mycelium - Forest Mental Health Project Structure The Forest Community of Practice Forest of Dean Mental Health Locality Partnership Recovery and Wellbeing Café The Resources Hub & Library The Forest Community of Practice Monthly face-to-face learning collaborative, reflective practice & peer supervision. 2nd Tuesday each month. The Forest Community of Practice is for individuals working and volunteering with members of our community where support for mental health is a significant part of their role. This has been set up in response to the My Networks Scoping Project. Many local social care practitioners stated that they wished to receive ongoing support to develop reflective practice, link with others and build skills that would help them to become more confident responding to mental distress, particularly with the increasing complexities that they were coming across in their roles. The C of P will be supported by clinicians, professionals and lived experience practitioners from the VCS & NHS who have been involved in the Community Mental Health Transformation programme. It will provide an opportunity for collaborative learning, peer supervision and professional development. We hope a community of Forest mental health practitioners will emerge from these sessions. If you, or a mental health champion from your team, are interested and able to join us, please get in touch. Please get in touch if you have any questions or want the most current information about scheduling details - simon@fvaf.org.uk or text 07394 945046 Forest of Dean Mental Health Locality Partnership The Locality Partnership offers VCS and faith-based organisations the opportunity to meet with other professionals and voluntary groups who are supporting people with their mental health in the Forest of Dean. The Partnership is a collective of social care practitioners who are working towards a community response to the My Networks scoping project findings. By coming together, we hope to keep abreast of developments, begin partnership projects or create collaborative opportunities that can address what is needed for better mental health in the Forest of Dean. We are now an integral part of the wider Forest Know Your Patch network. Regular online meetings as well as live, in-person events are held where topics and projects are discussed and highlighted. As well as this, the FKYP works closely with other statutory organisations offering a platform to disseminate up-to-date information about services available in the community. 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. Recovery & Wellbeing Café - Current Programme The Resource Hub, Research Room & Lived Experience Library Leaflets & literature on wellness, recovery, self-help & coping with mental distress. The group office, based above the Library at The Main Place in Coleford, is available for members to use as a safe and confidential space. We keep material that may be of use to members – and we are happy for people to provide us with leaflets that they would like shared. To read the My Networks Scoping Project Report please visit: www.fvaf.org.uk/publications

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

Mycelium My Networks Mental Health Project Mycelium - Forest Mental Health Project The Mycelium Project aims to create an infrastructure in the Forest of Dean that: Influences change in statutory services for mental health services and support. Provides training to build a network of Lived Experience Practitioners who will support peer workers in the healthcare and voluntary and community sector. Offers support, supervision, safeguarding, visibility, and accountability. Click on the image to find out more information: Forest of Dean Mental Health Locality Partnership Peer Development Recovery & Wellbeing Café Resource Hub/Library

Our Green Impact Our Statement of Intent At a time of ongoing critical assessment as to how the resources of the world are being employed in economic and social activity, it is essential that all involved with Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) have a clear understanding as to how its work can impact on the environment. We accept responsibility for our actions and commit to working towards reducing any harmful effects it may have on the environment. It is also understood that, as a leader in the Forest of Dean voluntary and community sector, we have a responsibility to manifest best practice. We will use, as its guiding principles - in order of priority – the need to: REPAIR RE-USE REDUCE RECYCLE Our policy describes how FVAF will implement practices that will minimalize the impact of its work on the environment. FVAF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Gold Award from the GEM NUS-Green Impact challenge GEM NUS Green Imapct Gold Award Certificate NUS Green Imapct Community Award Certificate In our first year taking part in the GEM NUS Green Impact Challenge , we were delighted to achieve a Gold Award. This UN award winning programme is designed to support and challenge organisations to look at the way they work and ensure that the practices they follow are as environmentally and socially sustainable as possible. The challenge was set as part of the *GEM Project’s partnership and our joint commitment to living sustainably and minimising our impact on the environment. Working together as a team, we shared ideas and encouraged lifestyle changes in the following areas: use of water and energy travel – work and personal recycling reducing and dealing with waste upcycling, freecycling unused goods using sustainable products encouraging biodiversity Other creative ideas from the team included making bird feeders from broken tree branches, a homemade recipe for a cleaning product, donations to local charity shops. * The Going the Extra Mile Project (GEM) is an employability and social inclusion project supporting the most disadvantaged communities and individuals furthest from the labour market to find or get closer to employment. It is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of a national programme Building Better Opportunities.

Our publications Forest Compass Edition 3 Volunteering in the Forest of Dean FVAF Annual Report 2022/23 FVAF Annual Report 2021/22 Insights into the Experience of commissioning for small VCSE organisations in the Forest of Dean By Chris Brown My Networks publications My Networks Scoping Project Report, Oct 2022 by Simon Price Supporting documents: Mental Health Scoping Project – Survey Results Co-production – How we facilitated My Networks Scoping Report Useful community publications The Digital Divides Report and Recommendations By Digital Divides Steering Group Learnings from the Forest By Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership (FODCAP), Holding The Space, Thirty Percy, and CCRI.

Vaikščiojimas su ratukais Naudokite vieną iš visureigiai mobilūs paspirtukai, kad kartu su šeima ir draugais pasiektumėte gražius miško takus, nepaisant jūsų gebėjimo vaikščioti. The Dino miškas yra pripažintas pėsčiųjų ir dviračių centras, jį gerai aptarnauja takai ir kitos paviršinės prieigos. Tačiau žmonėms, turintiems fizinę negalią, prastos sveikatos, jutimo sutrikimų ar kitų slopinančių būklių, gali prireikti tam tikros pagalbos, specializuoto vertimo ar kitų tinkamų priemonių, kad jie galėtų mėgautis privalumais, kuriuos kiti laiko savaime suprantamu dalyku. Tai Miškininkų miškas Paveldo loterijos finansuojamas projektas, dirbama kartu su Mobilumas kaime suteikia galimybę daugiau žmonių patekti į Dekano mišką. „Walking with Wheels“ siūlo universalius paspirtukus (vadinamus „Trampers“), kuriuos galima išsinuomoti iš „Forest Holidays at Christchurch“ ir „Speech House“ viešbučio. „Trampers“ yra iš anksto suplanuotiems maršrutams, iš kurių atsiveria vaizdai į Symonds Yat, Biblins, Cyril Hart medelyną ir Mallards Pike ežerą. Jei norite daugiau sužinoti apie ėjimą su ratais, skambinkite 01594 822073 arba susisiekite su mumis el . Dažnai užduodami klausimai Kas yra "tramperis"? Kas gali naudotis šia paslauga? Kokiais maršrutais galiu juo naudotis? Kada galima išsinuomoti? Kaip galiu užsisakyti vieną? Kiek kainuoja išsinuomoti Tramperį? Ką daryti, jei niekada anksčiau nenaudojau nė vieno iš jų? Ką daryti, jei man reikia papildomos pagalbos? Kodėl aš turiu tapti „Countryside Mobility“ nariu? Ar galiu padėti įgyvendinant šį projektą? Ką daryti, jei man reikia atšaukti užsakymą? Frequently Asked Questions

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:

Employment Skills Support Ready to take your next steps towards further education, volunteering or work? Go along to your nearest Community Hub for 121 conversations with our friendly Community Builders. They can help: Explore what matters to you Develop your CV Signposting to education, training and employment Consider volunteering opportunities Increase your confidence for online searches, applications, interviews Take up opportunities to get involved in your local community For more information please contact: community@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073

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.

Savanoriška veikla Kaip dekano miško savanorių centras esame čia, kad padėtume jums įdarbinti ir valdyti savanorius Mūsų nauja savanorystė knygelė užpildyta smulkmenomis vietos savanorystės galimybių jau nebeliko SPAUSKITE, KAD ATSISIŲSTI Kaip Savanorių centras Deano miškas mes dažnai esame pirmasis kontaktinis asmuo visiems, kurie domisi savanoriška veikla. Praėjusiais metais didžiavomės galėdami paremti daugiau nei 100 000 valandų savanoriškos veiklos šioje vietovėje! FVAF reklamuoja ir reklamuoja įvairias savanoriškos veiklos galimybes iš organizacijų, kurios remiasi savanoriais ir atpažįsta daugybę priežasčių, kodėl žmonės pasirenka savanoriauti. Kodėl Savanoris? Savanoriška veikla turi daug naudos ne tik jums asmeniškai, bet ir jūsų bendruomenei bei pasauliui, kuriame gyvename. Jei norite patobulinti savo CV, susipažinti su naujais žmonėmis, panaudoti savo įgūdžius, išmokti ko nors naujo, domintis, pasiūlyti patirties ar tiesiog pakeisti, mes garantuotai turėsime jums galimybę! Apie šias galimybes galite sužinoti šiais būdais: Paieškos galimybės adresu Do-it.org Skambinkite mums 01594 822073 Susisiekite per paštu Ateikite pas mus į FVAF I - Pen 9:00 - 1:00 ( kryptys ) Jei norite savanoriauti kaip didelės grupės dalis, pavyzdžiui, kaip įmonės savanorystės dalis, mes taip pat turime daugybę galimybių rinktis. 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 As a one-stop-shop for all things volunteering, we can help you find, and keep, the perfect volunteer: Kaip „vieno langelio“ principas, skirtas visiems savanorystės dalykams, naudojame įvairiapusę metodiką, kad suteiktume jums geriausią įmanomą galimybę įdarbinti ir išlaikyti vertingus savanorius. Tai apima: Reklamuokite savo galimybes Do-it.org Reklamuoti savo galimybes visuomenės nariams, kuriuos mums nurodė arba per mūsų įtraukimo funkciją. Reklamuokite savo galimybes mūsų Facebook ir Twitter puslapiuose Reklamuoti savo galimybes vietinėms tarnyboms, kurios remia savanorystę, pvz. Darbo centras, LearnDirect ir 2GetherTrust Reklamuokite savo galimybes daugiau nei 30 renginių per metus Siųskite savo galimybes vietinėms įmonėms, kurios siūlo darbdavių remiamą savanorystę Atitinkamų galimybių skatinimas mokykloms, kolegijose ir universitetuose Jūsų galimybių platinimas mūsų savanorių duomenų bazėje, kurioje yra daugiau nei 1000 žmonių Savo galimybių reklamavimas įvairiuose tinkluose, įskaitant Know Your Patch 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)