Join us for the FVAF Community Celebration & AGM 2026 - a day of festivities, important discussions, and community connection! We’ll start with our Annual General Meeting (AGM), then you’ll hear how FVAF has made a difference over the past year through our 4 Ps: People, Place, Planet and Prosperity, along with our plans for the year ahead. After the AGM, come and explore the Newent Showcase, a market of local community groups and organisations that make Newent special. It’s a great chance to meet the people behind them, find out what’s happening locally, and connect with other community members. Refreshments and a delicious buffet lunch, sourced from local delis and caterers, will be provided. EVERYONE WELCOME! DOORS OPEN AT 10AM FOR COFFEE & CATCH UP! Places are limited, so please book your ticket as soon as possible to secure your spot. BOOK HERE!

BOOK HERE! Frequently visited pages: COMMUNITY HUBS VOLUNTEER ADVICE YOUTH SUPPORT Ce este FVAF? FVAF înseamnă Forest Voluntary Action Forum. Oferim sprijin cetățenilor locali, grupurilor comunitare și activități pentru a face lucrurile care contează cel mai mult pentru ei. Aceasta include următoarele: asistență și consiliere pentru dezvoltare Instruire informație întâlniri de networking facilitarea reprezentării recrutarea voluntarilor plasarea și sprijinul voluntarilor De asemenea, derulăm multe proiecte cu și pentru comunitatea locală, cum ar fi Asociația de Tineret Pădurea Decanului, Campanii de activități de vacanță, Rețeaua de muzică pentru tineret din pădure, Proiectul GEM, Directorul Busola Pădurii, Plimbare cu roți și multe altele. Consultați pagina noastră de proiecte pentru detalii complete. „Construirea unor comunități mai puternice în Pădurea Deanului" Află mai multe JOIN OUR MAILING LIST Get the latest community news and check out exciting volunteering opportunity in or around the Forest of Dean... Accesați Facebook Useful publications: FREE directory of the many volunteering opportunities available locally... DOWNLOAD Partenerii noștri We work with so many amazing and supportive partners. Find out more here... How to contact us Forest Voluntary Action Forum Ow Bist Forest Community Space Dockham Road Cinderford , Glos. GL14 2AQ Email us: contact@fvaf.org.uk Tel: 01594 822073 Copyright © 2021 Forest Voluntary Action Forum. All Rights Reserved. Forest Voluntary Action Forum is a charity (1141126) and company limited by guarantee (07557852) registered in England and Wales. The registered address is The Belle Vue Centre, Cinderford, Glos, GL14 2AB. Travelling in the Forest of Dean Forest Of Dean Climate Action Partnership has created a handy interactive guide to travelling in the Forest of Dean. DOWNLOAD HERE

Despre FVAF Despre FVAF Povestea noastră Suntem Consiliul Serviciului Voluntar și Centrul de Voluntariat Pădurea Decanului. Oferim asistență multora dintre sutele de organizații de voluntariat și comunitare din District, care sunt, la rândul lor, mai capabile să-și desfășoare munca în și pentru comunitatea locală. De la formarea în 1994, ne-am dezvoltat o reputație pentru încurajarea, îmbrățișarea și îmbunătățirea acțiunii comunitare în toată Pădurea Deanului. Credem că, prin abordări conduse de comunitate, le permitem cetățenilor să dezvolte abilitățile, reziliența și capitalul social pentru a trăi vieți mai fericite și mai bine conectate. Servicii de birou Personalul și administratorii Politici Accesibilitate și durabilitate

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

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

Asociația Tineretului Pădurii Asociația de tineret Forest of Dean este aici pentru a oferi ajutor și sprijin tinerilor și cluburilor, grupurilor sau organizațiilor de tineret. A face prieteni noi Implicați-vă în comunitatea dvs Urmăriți un interes Incearca ceva nou Învață noi abilități Voluntar Faceți o lume mai bună Voluntariat Există o mulțime de oportunități de voluntariat atât pentru tineri, cât și pentru adulți. Dacă sunteți o persoană tânără care caută muncă voluntară de făcut în timpul liber, pentru a dobândi mai multe abilități sau ca parte a programului dvs. DofE, vă rugăm să ne sunați sau să ne vizitați https://do-it.org/ În mod similar, dacă sunteți un adult care are abilități și cunoștințe sau doriți să susțineți o organizație de tineret din cadrul Pădurii Decanului, vă rugăm să luați legătura, deoarece există multe organizații care ar aprecia sprijinul dumneavoastră. Calitatea de membru afiliat pentru clubul/organizația dvs Când vă afiliați la Forest of Dean Youth Association, veți avea dreptul la gama noastră completă de servicii, care oferă consiliere și sprijin în toate aspectele conducerii unei organizații precum a dumneavoastră. De asemenea, derulăm un calendar de activități la care voluntarii și tinerii tăi pot participa la un cost nominal. Pentru detalii complete despre beneficii sau pentru a vă înregistra clubul, faceți clic pe următoarele link-uri Beneficii de membru al asociației de tineret pentru cluburi Formular de membru al asociației de tineret pentru cluburi Detalii de contact pentru mai multe informații Dacă doriți să aflați mai multe despre oricare dintre proiectele sau evenimentele noastre sau despre cum să vă implicați, vă rugăm să luați legătura cu ofițerul nostru de dezvoltare a asociației de tineret, Alethea Bumpstead pe FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk For More Information If you would like to know about any of our projects or events or how to get involved, please get in touch with us at hi.ya @fvaf.org.uk Sprijin financiar Asociația pentru tineret Forest of Dean primește cu mândrie sprijin financiar de la consiliile municipale Cinderford și Coleford. Dacă Parohia sau Consiliul Local ar dori să afle mai multe despre Asociația de Tineret Forest of Dean sau despre cum ne puteți susține, vă rugăm să ne contactați prin e-mail FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk

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

Role:Place Partnership Lead – Building Connections Salary: £36,000 – £45,000 (pro rata for part-time/job share) Hours: Up to 37.5 hours per week (job share or part-time hours considered) Contract: Fixed Term until 31st August 2029 with extension dependent on funding and performance Location: Cinderford and Mitcheldean, with travel across the wider Forest of Dean Do you build trust easily, love bringing people together, and want to help shape stronger, more connected communities in the Forest of Dean? We're looking for a passionate and proactive Place Partnership Lead to help local organisations, community buildings, volunteers and residents in Cinderford and Mitcheldean come together to collaborate, connect, and thrive. The Role Build and maintain positive relationships with community buildings, resident groups, parish councils, VCSE organisations and statutory partners across Cinderford and Mitcheldean. Convene and facilitate place-based partnership meetings, forums and collaborative networks. Support community buildings to develop governance, leadership and community engagement, helping them move towards a community-owned Hub model. Work alongside residents and volunteers to ensure local people shape plans, activities and decisions, particularly those experiencing loneliness or isolation. Support the design, promotion and administration of Community Chest funding, helping local groups develop ideas and applications. Capture learning and share examples of good practice across the Forest of Dean and wider partnership networks. Who We're Looking For Experience of partnership development, community development, community engagement or stakeholder management. A proven ability to build productive relationships across multiple sectors and communities. Confidence facilitating meetings, groups, networks or collaborative projects. Strong communication, interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities. An understanding of loneliness and social isolation, and of co-production or asset-based community development approaches. A collaborative, empowering and community-centred approach, and a genuine commitment to inclusion and equity. JOB DESCRIPTION: Place Partnership Lead – Building Connections FVAF JOB APPLICATION FORM HOW TO APPLY Please read the above full job description and download the application form. Please note CVs will not be accepted. Email completed application forms to Chris Brown at ceo@fvaf.org.uk Application deadline: Wednesday 26th August Interview date: Wednesday 9th September For an informal discussion about this role contact Chris Brown at ceo@fvaf.org.uk .

Universal Youth Services Partnership bringing Open Access Universal Youth Services to Gloucester and the Forest of Dean! Together with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and The Venture Community Hub (TVCH), we’ve joined forces to make a real difference in the lives of young people. Guided by GGT, in the Forest of Dean FVAF is leading on supporting a wide range of services for young people aged 11 to 19 (or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities). Our youth services will be available to everyone, focusing on the needs of the local community to create a more connected, supported, and engaging youth sector. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT... Gloucestershire Gateway Trust The Venture Community Hub

Role: Digital & Community Projects Manager Salary: £30,000 – £37,000 (subject to experience) Hours: 30–37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday (some evenings/weekends may be required) Flexible and part-time/job share arrangements considered Contract: Initial 18-month contract (extension subject to funding and performance) Location: Ow Bist Forest Community Space, Cinderford Do you believe that everyone deserves to be connected? Are you passionate about the power of communities to shape their own futures? FVAF is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Digital & Community Projects Manager to join our growing team in the heart of the Forest of Dean. This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to lead meaningful, place-based work that makes a real difference — helping people and communities thrive through digital inclusion, local partnerships, and strengths-based engagement. JOB DESCRIPTION: Digital & Community Projects Manager FVAF JOB APPLICATION FORM HOW TO APPLY Please read the above full job description and download the application form. Please note CVs will not be accepted. Application deadline: 5pm Wednesday 24th June Interview dates: w/c 6th July For an informal discussion about the role, please contact community@fvaf.org.uk Send completed application forms to Alex Digby at community@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!

The podcast kit is also available for hire to voluntary community groups. For more information on The Community Action Pod and ways to get involved contact the Host Melanie Benn on melanie@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073. Produced by Forest Voluntary Action Forum Funded by the Barnwood Trust Digital Inclusion Fund