Meet the FVAF team Our head office is based in Cinderford but everyday you will meet members of the FVAF team out and about supporting the community and building strong partnerships with other local organisations and groups... Chris Brown Chief Executive Officer Cathy Griffiths Development Manager Facilities Manager Connor Grimshaw Nick Penny Programme Manager Catherine Best Communications & Fundraising Manager Coming soon! VACANT Youth Association Manager Teresa Allewell Finance & Operations Manager Deb Cook Volunteering Manager Courtney Middleton Project Coordinator Lisa Robertson Youth Development Officer Katy Virgo Youth Development Officer Fliss Simister ​ Children, Young People & Families Development Officer Alex Digby Digital & Community Hubs Facilitator Melanie Benn Community Builder Teresa Rose Community Connectors' Facilitator Sedbury Space Centre Manager Karen Chadwick Simon Price MY Network Project Manager Emily Timmins Parish Youth Worker MEET THE FVAF TRUSTEES We have a highly skilled board of trustees who meet regularly to monitor, challenge and guide what FVAF does now, and in the future. Penny Hulbert Chair of Trustees Simon Murray Trustee Bob Rhodes Trustee Louise Penny Trustee Sid Phelps Vice Chair of Trustees Diana Martin Trustee Sue Pritchard Trustee Vicky Head Trustee Jonathan Gault Trustee - Treasurer Roger Deeks Trustee Christopher Walker Trustee Interested in becoming a FVAF Trustee? To find out more contact 01594 822 073 or contact@fvaf.org.uk

Community Engagement - NHS assets and services We are currently carrying out community engagement work in the Forest of Dean seeking information about the use of NHS assets and services. We would very much appreciate it if you could help provide information as part of this exercise. ​ We hope you will be able to provide answers to a few questions in a survey that should only take a few minutes to complete. Community Engagement Survey: Town Councils First name Last name Email Job title Organisation/Group Continue

We crown our community heroes! The community turned out in force on Tuesday 3 October to see local volunteers crowned at our glittering Forest Volunteers Awards 2023 celebration at the AccXel Training Centre in Cinderford. READ THE NOMINEE PROFILES IN THE AWARDS PROGRAMME We created the Forest Volunteer Awards to recognise and celebrate the amazing efforts of local volunteers in the Forest of Dean and earlier this Summer, we asked you to nominate those volunteer heroes who have demonstrated exceptional and outstanding support to the local community over the past 12 months. We had an amazing response and received hundreds of nominations. Our expert community panel had the tough task of shortlisting the nominations and picking the winners. However,one category - Volunteer of the Year – Peoples’ Champion – was decided by a public vote withalmost 1,400 votes cast. The winners were crowned at a special evening, held at the stunning conference space at the impressive AccXel Training Centre, which was provided for free to FVAF by local construction company the KW Bell Group, who were the main sponsors of the event. Jando Greco, volunteer at St Stephens Church in Cinderford was crowned Volunteer of the Year – the People’s Champion following a public vote. A volunteer of over 12 years his nominator said: “We so appreciate him, he is such a thoughtful, caring person and will do anything for anyone – Jando is so worthy of receiving this award.” Young volunteers were celebrated with Ebony Powell, volunteer and fundraiser at Forest of Dean Dog Rescue crowned under 16 years old Young Volunteer of the Year for her caring and dedicated commitment caring for the rescue dogs, whilst in the 17 – 25 years old category, Daisy Hoole rewarded for her tireless hard work volunteering at C.A.N.D.I Youth Space. In the groups section, The George in Newnham was recognised as the New Voluntary Group of the Year for reopening the former café as a vibrant community space. Next up, was Sedbury Space who picked up the Grassroots Voluntary Group award in recognition of the fantastic efforts of the community to create a thriving, inclusive, welcoming hub. Fire safety education organisation SkillZONE was awarded the Community Organisation award for their responsive work with young people in the Forest, and a team of volunteers from EDF Energy picked up the Business in the Community Award for helping out at Camphill Village Trust in Lydney. Forest of Dean Dementia Action Alliance (FDDAA) sponsored the launch of a new Inclusion Award, with Cinderford Bowls Club scooping the top spot for making changes to the game and their grounds to make bowls accessible for everyone to enjoy. Our Volunteering Manager Deb Cook said “So much of what happens within our community is because of people who give their time and energy for free. We think that recognising the amazing efforts of volunteers and organisations is incredibly important which is why we have been so pleased by the reaction of the local people who have supported these awards by nominating and voting.” Deb added, “It has been an incredible evening and we are so lucky and proud of the strength of the amazing voluntary sector we have in the Forest.” Master of Ceremony for the Forest Volunteer Awards was Steve Knibbs, BBC Points West reporter who kept the guests entertained with his expert hosting skills. Award winners were announced by guest presenters; Mark Topping( Leader of Forest of Dean District Council), Emma Snell (Go Volunteer Glos), Penny Hulbert (FVAF Chair of Trustees), Jonathan Lane (Cabinet Member for Economy at FODDC), Kirsty Downie (John Lewis Partnership & Waitrose - Monmouth), and Andrea Harman (Ecophon). The celebration evening was made possible thanks to generous sponsorship for the following local organisations: KW Bell Group and AccXel Training Centre – main sponsors Ecophon Simplicity in Business Steve Gooch Estate Agents Waitrose & Partners (Monmouth Store) FOREST VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS 2023: ​ Volunteer of the Year – Peoples’ Champion WINNER: Jando Greco – St Stephens Church, Cinderford Highly Commended: Chris Brain (Broadwell Football Club), Melanie Getgood (Friends of Worcester Walk), Edna Husbands (Lydcare Community Transport), Barbara Jenkins (Over 60’s Group at Berryhill Memorial Hut), Albert Weager (community representative & advocate for better healthcare) and Dave Young (Forest Sensory Services and Samaritans). New Voluntary Group of the Year WINNER: The George, Newnham Highly Commended: Lydney Army Cadets Young Volunteer of the Year 16yrs & under WINNER: Ebony Powell – Forest of Dean Dog Rescue Highly Commended: Evie Harris - community volunteer and Teens in Crisis fundraiser Young Volunteer of the Year 17 – 25yrs WINNER: Daisy Hoole – C.A.N.D.I Youth Space Highly Commended: Leanne Hendrix – Coleford Youth Club Grassroots Voluntary Group of the Year WINNER: Sedbury Space Highly Commended: Forest Community Shed Community Organisation of the Year WINNER: SkillZone Highly Commended: Forest of Dean District Scouts Business in the Community Award WINNER: EDF Energy Highly Commended: The Rising Sun Community Pub FoD Dementia Action Alliance Inclusion Award WINNER: Cinderford Bowls Club Highly Commended: Artspace Cinderford ​ ​ END For media enquires contact communications@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 07934 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. The Resource Hub, Research Room and Lived Experience Library Recovery & Wellbeing Café - Current Programme Spring/Summer 2024 ​ Upcoming focused sessions include: ​ May 22nd Dementia Action Alliance and its work. 29th Open discussion. June 5th Coping with Bereavement & Grief. The work of Great Oaks Hospice. 12th Access to Social Care & benefits. 19th Active Hope. ‘How to face the mess we’re in without going crazy’. 26th Creative Writing. River Ecology & The Poetry Salmon. July 3rd Advocacy & Co-production. 10th Open discussion. 17th The Existential Approach to Recovery from Mental Illness. 24th End of term feast (contact us for venue details). ​ Come and join us. Help us to develop a series of supportive recovery & wellbeing sessions. Topic/subjects will revolve around what is important now for us living in the Forest of Dean. ​ Please get in touch if you have any questions or want the most current information about scheduling details - simon@fvaf.org.uk or text 07934 945046 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

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

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Deveniți membru FVAF Devenind membru al FVAF, ne ajutați să continuăm să oferim un serviciu de sprijin vital sectorului de voluntariat și comunitar din Pădurea Deanului . ​ FVAF acţionează ca un avocat al acţiunii voluntare şi comunitare, acolo unde este cazul, la nivel raional, judeţean şi naţional, iar cu cât reprezentăm mai mulţi membri, cu atât vocea noastră este mai puternică. Prin urmare, membrii sunt consultați cu privire la chestiuni care afectează sectorul de voluntariat și comunitar din Pădurea Decanului și ceea ce ne propunem să realizăm ca organizație. ​ În calitate de membru, vă veți bucura de acces la serviciile noastre de birou, de tarife reduse de imprimare și copiere, de promovarea locurilor de muncă vacante de voluntari pentru grupul dvs. și de închiriere gratuită a unei game de echipamente de birou. Aceasta include: Panouri de afișare Bucla auditivă Proiector digital și ecran Sistem PA Flip Charts Masa lunga pliabila Urnă de catering cu apă caldă Foișor (este necesară o donație de 5 GBP) ​ Dacă doriți să deveniți membru FVAF, faceți clic pe butonul Alăturați-vă FVAF din dreapta și completați formularul. Pentru mai multe detalii sunati la 01594 822073 Este GRATUIT să deveniți membru FVAF pentru a accesa toate serviciile noastre de asistență Alăturați-vă FVAF

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

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

Community Engagement - NHS assets and services We are currently carrying out community engagement work in the Forest of Dean seeking information about the use of NHS assets and services. We would very much appreciate it if you could help provide information as part of this exercise. ​ We hope you will be able to provide answers to a few questions in a survey that should only take a few minutes to complete. Community Engagement Survey: Parish Councils First name Last name Email Job title Organisation/Group Continue

Inovație digitală Este larg recunoscut faptul că oamenii din Pădurea Deanului se simt excluși digital. FVAF, care lucrează în parteneriat cu Gloucestershire County Council, Digital Unite și IT Schools Africa, lucrează din greu pentru a înlătura aceste bariere. ​ Prin formarea unui grup de Campioni Digitali și prin desfășurarea unor sesiuni digitale „pop-up” în jurul Pădurii Deanului, sperăm că veți putea să-i susțineți pe cei care doresc să-și îmbunătățească abilitățile digitale, fie că învață cum să facă apeluri video către cei dragi, plătiți facturi online, trimiteți e-mailuri sau participați la cursuri virtuale. Pe lângă centrele de formare „pop-up”, în curând vom instala o suită de instruire digitală în clădirea comunității noastre din Cinderford. ​ Vom lucra, de asemenea, cu GRCC și primăriile locale pentru a-și îmbunătăți infrastructura digitală pentru a oferi o conectivitate mai bună în comunitățile rurale. ​ Dacă sunteți interesat să deveniți un campion digital și să îi susțineți pe alții, vă rugăm să contactați Nick Penny prin e-mail la Projects@fvaf.org.uk Școli IT Africa Campioni digitali GRCC

NEW Welcome Group comes to Coleford ​ Intergenerational social group to help support young people with disabilities MONDAY 15 AUGUST Read More Frequently visited pages: COMMUNITY HUBS VOLUNTEER ADVICE FOREST YOUTH ASSOCIATION 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...