Tell us what training would help your organisation We're exploring how best to support the training needs of voluntary and community groups across the Forest of Dean. This might include hosting training ourselves, bringing in external trainers, or connecting you with existing resources and courses. Please complete this brief survey to let us know what would be most valuable for you. Your feedback will shape the support we're able to offer. Organisation Name: Your Role: Email Training Topics Which of the following topics would be most valuable for your organisation? (Please tick all that apply and add any others) Funding & Fundraising Marketing & PR Digital Skills/Using Technology Financial Procedures & Management Governance & Trustees Finding & Recruiting Volunteers Volunteer Management & Retention Embedding Climate Action Neurodiversity, Mental Health & Inclusion Safeguarding First Aid Health & Safety Food Hygiene Other Let us know your TOP 3 training needs: When Which days work best for you? (Tick all that apply) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Preferred times: (Tick all that apply) Morning (9am-12pm) Afternoon (1pm-5pm) Evening (6pm-8pm) Where How would you prefer to attend training? (Tick all that apply) In-person only Online only Hybrid (option to attend either way) No preference If in-person: Forest of Dean only Willing to travel How Which learning formats work best for you? (Tick all that apply) Workshops (group sessions) Online webinars/courses One-to-one support/mentoring Drop-in sessions Self-paced resources Peer learning/networking groups 5. Additional Information Are there any barriers that prevent you from accessing training? (e.g., cost, time, childcare, accessibility needs) Any other comments or suggestions? Submit

KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE Young people who are moving towards adulthood have the right to make informed choices about how they connect to their local community. This can involve risk, for guidance read: Building Connections: One minute guide to Risk Assessment

FVAF Community Celebration & AGM 2023 FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2024 | 11AM - 2PM Ow Bis - Forest Community Space, Dockham Road GL14 2AN We are inviting the whole community to join us in celebrating the work FVAF has done over the last 12 months for, and with communities across the Forest of Dean PLUS it’s our 30th anniversary this year and we’re ready to celebrate! Refreshments and a delicious buffet lunch will be provided. Places are limited - please book your ticket ASAP READ THE AGM NOTICE BELOW: BOOK YOUR TICKET

FVAF ਦੇ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਬਣੋ ਐੱਫ.ਵੀ.ਏ.ਐੱਫ. ਦੇ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਬਣ ਕੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਵੈ-ਇੱਛਤ ਅਤੇ ਕਮਿਊਨਿਟੀ ਸੈਕਟਰ ਨੂੰ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਸੇਵਾ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰਨਾ ਜਾਰੀ ਰੱਖਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ। ਡੀਨ ਦਾ ਜੰਗਲ . FVAF ਸਵੈ-ਇੱਛਤ ਅਤੇ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਕ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਲਈ ਵਕੀਲ ਵਜੋਂ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ, ਕਾਉਂਟੀ ਅਤੇ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਪੱਧਰ 'ਤੇ ਢੁਕਵਾਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਜਿੰਨੇ ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਅਸੀਂ ਨੁਮਾਇੰਦਗੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ, ਸਾਡੀ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਓਨੀ ਹੀ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੈਂਬਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਫੋਰੈਸਟ ਆਫ਼ ਡੀਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਵੈਇੱਛੁਕ ਅਤੇ ਕਮਿਊਨਿਟੀ ਸੈਕਟਰ 'ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵ ਪਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਮਾਮਲਿਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਸੰਗਠਨ ਵਜੋਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਟੀਚਾ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਸਲਾਹ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇੱਕ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਦੇ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਦਫ਼ਤਰੀ ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਦਾ ਆਨੰਦ ਮਾਣੋਗੇ, ਛਪਾਈ ਅਤੇ ਕਾਪੀ ਕਰਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਘੱਟ ਦਰਾਂ, ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਸਮੂਹ ਲਈ ਵਲੰਟੀਅਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਅਸਾਮੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ, ਅਤੇ ਦਫ਼ਤਰੀ ਸਾਜ਼ੋ-ਸਾਮਾਨ ਦੀ ਇੱਕ ਰੇਂਜ ਦੇ ਮੁਫ਼ਤ ਕਿਰਾਏ ਦਾ ਆਨੰਦ ਮਾਣੋਗੇ। ਇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹਨ: ਡਿਸਪਲੇ ਬੋਰਡ ਸੁਣਨ ਦੀ ਲੂਪ ਡਿਜੀਟਲ ਪ੍ਰੋਜੈਕਟਰ ਅਤੇ ਸਕਰੀਨ PA ਸਿਸਟਮ ਫਲਿੱਪ ਚਾਰਟ ਲੰਬੀ ਫੋਲਡਿੰਗ ਟੇਬਲ ਗਰਮ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਕੇਟਰਿੰਗ ਕਲਸ਼ ਗਜ਼ੇਬੋ (£5 ਦਾਨ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ) ਜੇਕਰ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਇੱਕ FVAF ਮੈਂਬਰ ਬਣਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹੋ, ਤਾਂ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਸੱਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ FVAF ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹੋਵੋ ਬਟਨ 'ਤੇ ਕਲਿੱਕ ਕਰੋ ਅਤੇ ਫਾਰਮ ਨੂੰ ਭਰੋ। ਵਧੇਰੇ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਲਈ 01594 822073 'ਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਕਰੋ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ FVAF ਦਾ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਬਣਨਾ ਮੁਫ਼ਤ ਹੈ FVAF ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹੋਵੋ

We Celebrate our Outstanding Volunteers! Winners crowned at annual Forest Volunteer Awards event... The Forest of Dean's most dedicated volunteers took centre stage this week at our annual Forest Volunteer Awards, held on Tuesday 2 September at the AccXel Construction School in Cinderford! People's Champion Takes Top Honours Ian Gower claimed the evening's most coveted award – Volunteer of the Year (People's Champion) – following a public vote that attracted over 3,500 participants. Ian's tireless work spans multiple organisations including CANDI, Mitcheldean Youth Club, and Scarr Bandstand, where he inspires young people through STEM education, drawing on his engineering background with Rolls Royce. Community Groups Recognised for Vital Work Several local organisations received recognition for their outstanding community contributions. The Salvation Army Community Hub in Coleford won Community Organisation of the Year for providing comprehensive support services including food assistance and domestic violence support. The Sharing Kitchen in Newent claimed the Grassroots Voluntary Group award, having transformed from a winter soup kitchen into a thriving community hub since launching in November 2024. Meanwhile, Music for Memories received the FoD Dementia Action Alliance Accessibility & Inclusion Award for positively impacting nearly 200 lives through personalised music therapy. We Rewarded Resilience Brockweir Village Shop and Café earned our ESV Business in the Community Award, demonstrating remarkable resilience after rebuilding following devastating fire damage in 2023. Volunteers worked tirelessly through an 18-month reconstruction to reopen the vital community facility. We Recognised Environmental Action Our newly introduced Community Climate Action Award went to the Save the Wye Campaign, recognising the group's creative activism in bringing national attention to the environmental crisis facing the River Wye. We Celebrated Future Leaders and Lifetime Achievement Our ceremony highlighted emerging community leaders, with Moss Thornton taking home our Young Volunteer of the Year honours for outstanding work as a Youth Expert and Youth Worker with Gloucestershire Health and Care Trust and Forest Pulse. Albert Weager received our Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 for his decades of community service as a representative and advocate for improved healthcare in the Forest of Dean. Celebrating Community Spirit "So much of what happens within our community is because of people who give their time and energy for free," said Deb Cook, Volunteering Manager at FVAF. "We're so proud to host this event and make a massive fuss about the incredible work that goes on in groups and organisations large and small. The work carried out by these volunteers is absolutely crucial to so many." Hosted by Steve Knibbs (BBC News Presenter) and Les Love (Dean Radio), our award winners were announced by guest presenters; Simon Murray (Vice chair, trustee of FVAF and chair of the Forest of Dean branch of CPRE), Cllr Jackie Dale, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities FoDDC, Piers Cardiff (new Co-ordinator of FoDCAP), Tyler Josh Carpenter (volunteer at SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) AND winner of last year’s Forest Young Volunteer of the Year), Dame Janet Trotter (DBE CVO), Nick Penny (FVAF Programme Manager). The celebration evening was made possible through generous sponsorship from local organisations, KW Bell Group and AccXel Construction Centre , Cinderhill Farm , Float in the Forest , Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership (FODCAP) , Forest of Dean District Council , Mid Counties Co-operative and Pedalabikeaway . We received hundreds of nominations following their summer call for submissions, with an expert panel handling the challenging task of shortlisting candidates across all categories. FOREST VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS 2025: Volunteer of the Year – Peoples’ Champion WINNER: Ian Gower: CANDI, Mitcheldean Youth Club, Scarr Bandstand Highly Commended: Carol Austin: Sedbury Space Laura Dovey: Taurus Crafts Annie George: Forest Exchange Glynis Halling: The Victoria Centre, Lydney Dial-a-Ride, Dr Charley's Lunch Club Julie Holder: Packed with Love Young Volunteer of the Year 21yrs & under WINNER: Moss Thornton: Youth Expert and Youth Worker with Gloucestershire Health and Care Trust and Forest Pulse Highly Commended: Chloe Watts - Her Game Too and Bristol Rovers Women Ambassador Community Organisation of the Year WINNER: Salvation Army Community Hub Highly Commended: Forest of Dean Writers Collection Project and Dean Green Team Grassroots Group of the Year WINNER: The Sharing Kitchen Highly Commended: Cinderford Town FC (Youth Team)  Forest Wombles Business in the Community Award WINNER: Brockweir Village Shop & Cafe Highly Commended: Dean Forest Food Hub FoD Dementia Action Alliance Accessibility & Inclusion Award WINNER: Music for Memories Highly Commended: Skillzone – Preparation for Adulthood Community Climate Action Award (sponsored by FoDCAP) WINNER: Save the Wye Campaign Highly Commended: Yorkley Village Garden Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 – Albert Weager - community representative and advocate for better healthcare in the Forest of Dean For media enquires contact communications@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073. END - Notes to editor: Established in 1994, Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) is the Voluntary Service Council and Volunteer Centre for the Forest of Dean The charity offers support to local citizens, community groups and activities including support and development advice, training, networking meetings, facilitating representation, volunteer recruitment, volunteer placement and support In addition, FVAF delivers projects with and for the local community, including Forest of Dean Youth Association, Holiday, Activities and Food Programme, The Forest Compass Directory, Walking with Wheels FVAF receives some financial support from the Forest of Dean District Council and funds activities through external funding opportunities Head office - Forest Voluntary Action Forum, Ow Bist – Forest Community Space, Dockham Road, Cinderford , Glos. GL14 2AN.

Our publications Forest Compass Edition 3 Volunteering in the Forest of Dean FVAF Annual Report 2024/25 FVAF Annual Accounts 2024/25 FVAF Annual Report 2023/24 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 The Forest of Dean Mycelium Mental Health Project A report from the Undergrowth by Simon Price, Anwen Jenkins, Pete Harper, Miranda Thomason and Teresa Rose 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.

ਜੰਗਲ ਕੰਪਾਸ ਫੋਰੈਸਟ ਕੰਪਾਸ ਇੱਕ ਭੌਤਿਕ ਅਤੇ ਔਨਲਾਈਨ ਡਾਇਰੈਕਟਰੀ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਕਿ ਡੀਨ ਦੇ ਜੰਗਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਨਿਯਮਤ ਗਤੀਵਿਧੀਆਂ, ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਸਮੂਹਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਕਲੱਬਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੂਚੀਬੱਧ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਜੰਗਲ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਮੂਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਦੁਪਹਿਰ ਦੇ ਖਾਣੇ ਦੇ ਕਲੱਬਾਂ, ਮੈਮੋਰੀ ਕੈਫੇ ਤੱਕ ਪੁਰਸ਼ਾਂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ੈੱਡਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਹਰ ਕਿਸਮ ਦੇ ਸੈਂਕੜੇ ਸਮਾਜਿਕ ਅਤੇ ਗਤੀਵਿਧੀ ਸਮੂਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਘਰ ਹੈ। ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਮੁਫਤ ਜਾਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਘੱਟ ਲਾਗਤ ਵਾਲੇ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਵਲੰਟੀਅਰਾਂ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਚਲਾਏ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਜਾਂ ਲਾਭ ਸਮੂਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਅਫ਼ਸੋਸ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਅਜਿਹੇ ਸਮੂਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਲਾਭ ਉਠਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕ ਆਪਣੇ ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ੇ 'ਤੇ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਮੌਕਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਅਣਜਾਣ ਹਨ। ਜੇਕਰ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਫੋਰੈਸਟ ਆਫ਼ ਡੀਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਲੰਟੀਅਰ ਲੀਡ ਗਤੀਵਿਧੀ, ਕਲੱਬ ਜਾਂ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਸਮੂਹ ਚਲਾਉਂਦੇ ਹੋ, ਤਾਂ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਫਾਰਮ ਨੂੰ ਭਰ ਕੇ, ਫਾਰੈਸਟ ਕੰਪਾਸ ਫਿਜ਼ੀਕਲ ਡਾਇਰੈਕਟਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਇੱਥੇ ਔਨਲਾਈਨ ਡਾਇਰੈਕਟਰੀ ਦੋਵਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਸ਼ਤਿਹਾਰ ਦਿਓ। 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

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.

Share Your Vision for the Forest of Dean – New Online Ways to Join the Conversation Have your say on the Forest's future – including potential UNESCO Biosphere designation. Residents across the Forest of Dean can now take part in shaping the area's future, from the comfort of their own home, with new online platforms that have just launched as part of a major community engagement project. Forest of Dean District Council has commissioned Wylderne to explore what the future could look like for this distinctive working Forest – including the possibility of UNESCO Biosphere designation – and everyone is invited to have their say. We've been supporting Wylderne with reaching the community and we're excited to launch 2 new digital opportunities to make it easier for everyone to contribute. Open to the whole community, residents can join facilitated video discussions in AI-Moderated Video Chat Rooms. A text-Based conversation platform is also being used to allow people to share thoughts and ideas through online discussion forums AI-Moderated Video Chat Room - sign up HERE Text Based conversation - take part HERE What's it all about? Our unique landscape has created a remarkable history and culture. But what will be the next chapter for this working Forest? What could a future look like that's rooted in our beautiful landscape and the stories that have forged our local identity? As part of these conversations, we'll also explore whether becoming a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve could help bring out the potential we know is here. A Biosphere is a place where communities learn how to protect biodiversity AND develop sustainably – finding local solutions to global challenges. But this is a genuine conversation about possibilities, not a done deal. We want to hear from YOU We're using an innovative approach that starts by asking what you value and treasure about the Forest. What stories make you proud? What are our strengths? What would you like to see in our future? Visit https://www.fdean.gov.uk/forest-of-dean-s-unesco-biosphere-bid or https://www.wylderne.com/ for more information. What is a UNESCO Biosphere? There are 759 Biosphere Reserves in 136 countries, with 7 already in the UK (including North Devon, Isle of Wight, and Dyfi in Wales). They're places for innovation – where communities work out how human beings and nature can live side by side so both can thrive. Cllr Chris McFarling, who represents Sedbury and St Briavels on Forest of Dean District Council, said: "A business as usual approach has seen continued declines in species, increased development, and increased pollution of our rivers. Becoming a Biosphere will tell the international community that there is something special and unique about the natural environment and the culture of the people of the Dean." Get involved Your insights will help shape a report that will be completed in early March 2026, feeding into the potential Biosphere application and helping guide our Forest's future direction. For more information: Visit: www.wylderne.com Contact: Paul Pivcevic, 07968 472317 or Catherine Best, communications@fvaf.org.uk

COMMUNITY CONNECTORS’ FORUM/KNOW YOUR PATCH NETWORK In-person event 14 June 2022 at The Wesley, Cinderford Event Feedback \ Thank you for participating in our event! Tell us what you thought about it. Name & organisation Please indicate on a scale of 1 – 10, where 1 is the most negative and 10 the most positive What was your overall impression of the day? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 What was your experience of the speakers? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Please share any comments about your overall impression of the day and the speakers What was your experience of the activities? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Please share any comments about the activities What was your experience of the refreshments? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Was there anything else that you feel could have been provided? What would you like to see in future events? Suggested speakers/format etc Your email Send Feedback Thanks for your feedback!

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! CLOSING DATE: MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 19 JULY 2026 Nomination Form 2026 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 Diversity & 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