Get help with applying for the FODDC Community Grant JOIN OUR ADVICE WORKSHOPS! 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... How to contact us Forest Voluntary Action Forum Ow Bist Forest Community Space Dockham Road Cinderford , Glos. GL14 2AN 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. Forest Voluntary Action Forum proudly receives financial support from the Forest of Dean District Council .

Current job vacancies at FVAF Work for us. We are passionate about nurturing talented, compassionate, community minded team players. Join our friendly and supportive team! CURRENT VACANCIES Role: Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership (FODCAP) Coordinator Salary: £36-40k (Full Time Equivalent) per annum. Contracted Hours: Up to full-time (37.5hrs per week) Job share will be considered. Contract Term: 2-year fixed term contract with potential to evolve. Lead FODCAP's strategic growth with focus on climate initiatives across the Forest of Dean District. Key Responsibilities: Coordinate partnership activities and stakeholder collaboration Develop and implement climate action strategies Drive progress in 2025 focus areas: Youth & Climate, Travel, Food & Farming, and Energy JOB DESCRIPTION: FODCAP Coordinator How to Apply: Read the job description, send a short covering letter, no more than two pages, outlining why this role excites you, along with your CV to info@fodcap.org with the subject "FODCAP Coordinator Application." We welcome applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Deadline: 11:59pm on Weds 30th May Interviews: 9 & 12th June 2025 If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role e-mail info@fodcap.com Trouble downloading the documents? Contact communications@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073

Our 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 Nick Penny Programme Manager Teresa Allewell Finance & Operations Manager Catherine Best Communications & Fundraising Manager Cathy Griffiths Development Manager Deb Cook Volunteering Manager Connor Grimshaw Facilities Manager Cherry Potter-Irwin Finance & Administration Officer Fliss Simister Youth Association Manager Lisa Robertson Youth Development Officer Katy Virgo Youth Development Officer Courtney Middleton Project Coordinator Lauren Greening Youth Development Project Manager Jodie Atkins Youth Support Worker Alex Digby Digital Projects Manager Melanie Benn Community Builder Teresa Rose Community Connectors' Facilitator Natasha Nelson Forest Food Network Coordinator Simon Price MY Networks Project Manager Miranda Thomason Peer Development Facilitator Pete Harper Peer Development Facilitator Meet our 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 Sid Phelps Vice Chair of Trustees Jonathan Gault Trustee - Treasurer Simon Murray Trustee Diana Martin Trustee Roger Deeks Trustee Bob Rhodes Trustee Louise Penny Trustee Interested in becoming a FVAF Trustee? Talk to us! Contact Chris is ceo@fvaf.org.uk 01594 822073

YOUTH CLUBS & ACTIVITIES TUESDAY Blakeney Youth Club | 6pm-8pm Cinderford Rd, Blakeney GL15 4AE Open Access youth group for local young people ORGANISATION: Blakeney YC and FVAF Forest Youth Project | 4:30pm-8pm (alternate Tuesdays) The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH LGBTQ+ young people 10-16yrs ORGANISATION: Wye River Festival and FVAF THURSDAY Forest Young Mums | 10am-12pm Hilltop Children & Family Centre, Latimer Road, Cinderford GL14 2QA Targeted support for young mums under 21 ORGANISATION: FVAF in partnership with NHS Coleford Youth Hub (Juniors) | 4pm-6pm The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH Open Access youth group for Years 5 & 6 (Every Thursday) ORGANISATION: FVAF in partnership with Coleford Town Council Coleford Youth Hub (Seniors) | 6:30pm-8:30pm The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH Open Access youth group for Years 7 & 8 (Last Thursday of month) ORGANISATION: FVAF in partnership with Coleford Town Council FRIDAY Mitcheldean Youth Hub | 4pm-8pm The Playing Fields, Mitcheldean GL17 0BQ Open Access Year 7+ ORGANISATION: FVAF in partnership Mitcheldean Parish Council OTHER ACTIVITIES Beezee Families| 4pm-6:30pm The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH Healthy families 8 week programme (by referral; please contact FVAF for rolling start dates) ORGANISATION: BeeZee Maximus and FVAF Work It Out | TBC The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH Targeted support for young people not in education, training and employment ORGANISATION: FVAF Youth Support Team ASTON | 6pm-8pm The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH Targeted ASB and crime prevention (by referral; please contact FVAF for dates) ORGANISATION: PCSO’s and FVAF To find out more contact hi.ya@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073

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:

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

Centre de acces pentru constructori de comunități The drop-in hub provides support to create, inspire and build stronger communities together Centrul de acces oferă sprijin pentru a crea, inspira și construi comunități mai puternice împreună Fiecare centru de acces oferă o varietate de asistență, sfaturi și îndrumări pentru rezidenții locali. De exemplu; sprijin și afișare de semne către serviciile locale, conectarea și configurarea noilor grupuri comunitare, care sprijină oamenii să se apropie de angajare sau de educație ulterioară, ajută la accesarea lumii digitale și sprijină pentru a-ți aduce ideile pentru comunitate la viață. Va putem oferi ajutor cu: Oportunități de voluntariat Sprijin pentru angajare Grupuri și cluburi locale de activități Suport IT și digital Informații locale despre evenimente Semnarea postării la serviciile locale For dates, times and locations for up coming FVAF Community Drop-in Hubs, contact Alex on community@fvaf.org.uk or call the FVAF office on 01594 822073.

Community ideas wanted for ‘Our Forest’ £3m lottery bid An opportunity for people and community organisations to discuss project ideas for Our Forest's planned National Lottery Heritage Fund Bid. BOOK TICKETS: Saturday 13th April, Lydney Town Hall - 1pm - 4pm BOOK TICKET: Sunday 14th April, Mitcheldean Community Centre - 1pm - 4pm We’re excited to announce that we are leading on preparing a new £3million bid to the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NLHF). Called ‘Our Forest’ this new community-driven project will focus on the heritage of the Forest of Dean To prepare for this bid, we are asking local people, community groups and organisations to have their say at two community events we are hosting this weekend. Taking place at 1pm-4:30pm on Saturday (13 April) at Lydney Town Hall and 1pm-4:30pm on Sunday (14 April) at Mitcheldean Community Centre , these events are open for anyone to attend, to share and discuss ideas for potential heritage projects, partnerships and collaborations that could be included in the bid for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Deb Cook, our Volunteering Manager at FVAF said “Heritage is what you think is important and should be preserved. It could be about improving access to landscapes, historical sites, or collections; cultural activity or traditions; stories and celebrations as well as more traditional ideas of heritage. It can be anything from the past or even present that you value and want to pass on to future generations. She added: “We’re asking the community to come along to one of these events to be part of the conversation and tell us what they think is important to include in the ‘Our Forest’ project.” Building upon the legacy of the Foresters' Forest Landscape Partnership programme, ‘Our Forest’ will focus on involving diverse people, grass-roots organisations, and the voluntary community sector, with projects that involve young people, older people, hardly reached groups, as well as focusing on mental health and wellbeing.

Voluntariat În calitate de centru de voluntariat pentru Pădurea Decanului, suntem aici pentru a vă ajuta să recrutați și să gestionați voluntari Noul nostru Voluntariat broșură plină cu detalii a voluntariatului local oportunitățile sunt acum disponibile CLICK PENTRU A DESCARCARE În calitate de Centru de voluntariat pentru Pădurea Deanului suntem adesea primul punct de contact pentru oricine este interesat de voluntariat. Anul trecut am fost mândri să sprijinim peste 100.000 de ore de voluntariat în zonă! FVAF promovează și promovează o gamă largă de oportunități de voluntariat din partea organizațiilor care împărtășesc etosul nostru în sprijinirea voluntarilor și recunoașterea gamei largi de motive pentru care oamenii aleg să facă voluntariat. De ce să fii voluntar? Voluntariatul are o serie de beneficii uriașe, nu numai pentru tine individual, ci și pentru comunitatea ta și lumea în care trăim. Dacă doriți să vă îmbunătățiți CV-ul, să cunoașteți oameni noi, să vă folosiți abilitățile, să învățați ceva nou, să urmăriți un interes, să oferiți experiență sau pur și simplu să faceți o diferență, suntem garantați că avem o oportunitate pentru dvs.! Puteți afla despre aceste oportunități în următoarele moduri: Căutați oportunități la Do-it.org Sună-ne la 01594 822073 Luați legătura prin e-mail Vino să ne vizitezi la FVAF Luni - Vineri 9:00 - 1:00 ( Direcții ) Dacă doriți să faceți voluntariat ca parte a unui grup mare, de exemplu ca parte a voluntariatului corporativ, atunci avem și o gamă largă de oportunități din care să alegeți. 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: În calitate de ghișeu unic pentru toate aspectele legate de voluntariat, folosim o metodologie cu mai multe fațete pentru a vă oferi cea mai bună șansă posibilă de a recruta și reține voluntari valoroși. Aceasta include următoarele: Faceți publicitate oportunităților dvs. pe Do-it.org Promovarea oportunităților dumneavoastră către membrii publicului referit la noi sau prin intermediul funcției noastre drop-in. Faceți publicitate oportunităților dvs. pe paginile noastre de Facebook și Twitter Promovarea oportunităților dumneavoastră către serviciile locale care sprijină voluntariatul, de ex. Centrul de locuri de muncă, LearnDirect și 2GetherTrust Reclamă-ți oportunitățile la peste 30 de evenimente pe an Trimiterea oportunităților dvs. către întreprinderile locale care oferă voluntariat susținut de angajator Promovarea oportunităților relevante pentru școli, colegii și universități Distribuirea oportunităților dumneavoastră în baza noastră de date cu peste 1.000 de persoane de voluntari Promovarea oportunităților dvs. într-o varietate de rețele, inclusiv 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)

The Digital Hubs Project Tackling digital exclusion across Gloucestershire The Digital Hubs Project is a new innovative approach, developed by Forest Voluntary Action Forum and GCC Adult Transformation Team, to tackle digital exclusion across Gloucestershire by offering free, accessible, tailored support to individuals. Starting out in October 2021, we have played the as role as county wide facilitator of the project in partnership with GCC’s Adult Transformation Team. Whilst being facilitator’s, we act as the Forest of Dean lead district provider, offering FREE 1:1 digital support across safe and trusted Community Drop-in Hubs. Coleford – Sixteen Community Cafe Sedbury – Sedbury Space Cinderford - Ow Bist - Forest Community Space Staunton – The Swan Community Hub Newent – The Chill Out Zone What does Digital Hubs aim to address? Motivation Not everyone sees why using the internet could be relevant and helpful A Digital Hub can demonstrate the huge benefits Confidence Some people fear online crime, lack trust or don’t know where to start online A Digital Hub can increase confidence via trusted relationships  Skills Not everyone has the ability to use the internet and online services A digital Hub can provide 1:1 training Access Not everyone has the ability to connect to the internet and go online A Digital Hub can provide access to free equipment and internet Since starting the journey of Gloucestershire Digital Hubs Project, awareness and recognition of the project has grown and is now recognised as essential community-based approach to tackling digital exclusion across Gloucestershire. Notability, the project was highlighted in the Report of the Director of Public health 2022/23 - No Person is an island: Social connections in Gloucestershire, which also included video cased study of the project. You can also  download the PDF version (PDF, 5.2 MB)  of Director of Public health 2022/23 For more information about the project visit the Digital Hub website HERE To find out more, dates, times and locations for upcoming FVAF Community Digital Drop-in Hubs, contact Alex on community@fvaf.org.uk  or 01594 822073.

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