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!

Busulla e pyllit Forest Compass është një drejtori fizike dhe online që liston shumë nga aktivitetet e rregullta, grupet mbështetëse dhe klubet e disponueshme në të gjithë Forest of Dean. Pylli është shtëpia e qindra grupeve shoqërore dhe aktiviteti të të gjitha llojeve, nga grupet e foshnjave, përmes klubeve të drekës, kasolleve për burra e deri te kafenetë e kujtesës. Shumë prej tyre janë falas ose me kosto shumë të ulët për të ndjekur dhe drejtuar nga vullnetarë ose grupe jofitimprurëse. Mjerisht shumë njerëz që mund të përfitojnë nga grupe të tilla nuk janë në dijeni të mundësive të mahnitshme në pragun e tyre. Nëse drejtoni një aktivitet drejtues vullnetar, klub ose grup mbështetës në Forest of Dean, reklamojeni si në drejtorinë fizike të Forest Compass ashtu edhe në direktorinë online këtu, FALAS duke plotësuar formularin e mëposhtëm. 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

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

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.

Forumi i Lidhësve të Komunitetit - Njihni Rrjetin tuaj Patch Supporting Strong and Thriving Communities with Know Your Patch Mbështetja e komuniteteve të forta dhe të lulëzuara me Know Your Patch Pjesa e "Njihni patchin tuaj" të Forumit të Lidhësve të Komunitetit (CCF) lidh Sektorin Vullnetar dhe Komunitar, Shërbimet Statutore dhe banorët vendas në një mënyrë që krijon mënyra më të mira të punës. Rrjeti Forest of Dean Know Your Patch është projektuar për të lidhur Sektorin Vullnetar dhe Komunitar, Shërbimet Statutore dhe banorët vendas në një mënyrë që krijon mënyra më të mira të punës e cila përfundimisht forcon komunitetet tona. Kjo 'ofertë e komunitetit' është veçanërisht jetike në parandalimin ose vonimin e përshkallëzimit të nevojave shëndetësore. Ne organizojmë ngjarje tremujore në të gjithë Pyllin e Deanit, ku ftojmë palët e interesuara të bashkohen në diskutimin rreth asaj që ka rëndësi në komunitetin e tyre dhe se si shërbimet dhe grupet e sektorit vullnetar mund të ndihmojnë në mbështetjen e kësaj. Çdo ngjarje Know Your Patch është FALAS dhe e hapur për këdo që dëshiron të jetë pjesë e bisedës. Nëse dëshironi të merrni pjesë, ju lutemi telefononi në 01594 822073 ose email help4groups@fvaf.org.uk . Ne gjithashtu dërgojmë e-mail dhe përditësime të rregullta në Rrjetin tonë "Njih Your Patch" në lidhje me atë që po ndodh në Forest of Dean. Nëse dëshironi të bashkoheni në këtë rrjet, ju lutemi abonohuni këtu . Falë financimit nga Këshilli i Qarkut Gloucestershire , Know Your Patch është gjithashtu i disponueshëm në çdo rreth tjetër në Gloucestershire. Nëse dëshironi të mësoni më shumë rreth këtyre, ju lutemi vizitoni këtu . Këtu janë disa nga hulumtimet që nënvizojnë të menduarit tonë: "Ne të gjithë duhet të luajmë një rol për të ndihmuar individët dhe komunitetet që të zhvillojnë kapitalin social. Ekziston një njohje në rritje se megjithëse grupet dhe komunitetet sociale të pafavorizuara kanë një sërë nevojash komplekse dhe të ndërlidhura, ato gjithashtu kanë asete në nivel social dhe komunitar. që mund të ndihmojë në përmirësimin e shëndetit dhe forcimin e qëndrueshmërisë ndaj problemeve shëndetësore" (The Kings Fund, 2018) "Ata me marrëdhënie të përshtatshme shoqërore kishin një shkallë mbijetese 50 për qind më të madhe krahasuar me individët me marrëdhënie të dobëta sociale" (Holt-Lunstad et al 2010) "Rrjetet sociale janë treguar të jenë po aq parashikues të fuqishëm të vdekshmërisë sa edhe mënyra e zakonshme e jetesës dhe rreziqet klinike si pirja e moderuar e duhanit, konsumi i tepërt i alkoolit, obeziteti dhe kolesteroli i lartë dhe presioni i gjakut" (Pantell et al 2013; Holt-Lunstad et al, 2010). . "Mbështetja sociale është veçanërisht e rëndësishme në rritjen e elasticitetit dhe nxitjen e rikuperimit nga sëmundja" (Pevalin dhe Rose, 2003) "Mungesa e rrjeteve sociale dhe mbështetjes e bën më të vështirë vetërregullimin e sjelljes dhe ndërtimin e vullnetit dhe elasticitetit me kalimin e kohës, duke çuar në përfshirje në sjellje të pashëndetshme" (Cacioppo dhe Patrick 2009). "Pjesëmarrja në komunitet redukton izolimin, përjashtimin dhe vetminë" (Farrell dhe Bryant 2009; Sevigny et al 2010; Ryan-Collins et al 2008) "Kapitali i fortë social përmirëson shanset për të shmangur rreziqet e stilit të jetesës si duhanpirja" (Folland 2008; Brown et al, 2006) Autumn Programme 2025 September 2nd (Short) Thriving Communities The TC grant was launched in August. Come along and find out more about it and hear about the work that has been funded through the scheme. 16th (Short) Digital Inclusion Strategy – Stakeholder Engagement with GCC This session will be led by those involved in the Digital Inclusion Project in Gloucestershire. 30th (Short) Health in the Forest A focus on health-related matters and support that is available in our locality. October 14th (In-person) Spotlight on Cinderford This meeting will take the form of a walk around the town visiting some of the projects that are being led by FKYP members and partners. We will meet at Ow Bist Forest Community Space and follow a route round Cinderford. 28th (Short) FODCAP Update Come along and hear about developments and updates on project in the Forest. November 11th (Short) Community Support Showcasing the work of several community groups who work for the benefit of the Forest Community. 25th (Long) Health in the Forest Another session where we will focus on health-related matters and support that is available in our locality. Please note The meeting on October 14th will be in-person and an opportunity for all those attending to network. All other meetings are online on MS Teams. The invitation will be sent out at the beginning of the season and then the link will be added to the regular reminder email – together with meeting notes from the previous session and the Agenda for the meeting If you would like to deliver a presentation at a forthcoming meeting or there is a topic that you would like to be addressed, please contact Teresa Rose, FKYP Facilitator at fodkyp@fvaf.org.uk to discuss this further. We look forward to seeing you in the forthcoming weeks.

Bëhuni anëtar i FVAF Duke u bërë anëtar i FVAF-it, ju na ndihmoni të vazhdojmë të ofrojmë një shërbim mbështetës jetik për sektorin vullnetar dhe komunitar në Pylli i Dekanit . FVAF vepron si një avokat për veprime vullnetare dhe komunitare aty ku është e përshtatshme në nivel rrethi, qarku dhe kombëtar, dhe sa më shumë anëtarë të përfaqësojmë, aq më i fortë është zëri ynë. Prandaj, anëtarët konsultohen për çështjet që ndikojnë në sektorin vullnetar dhe komunitar në Pyllin e Dekanit dhe atë që ne synojmë të arrijmë si organizatë. Si anëtar, do të gëzoni akses në shërbimet tona të zyrës, tarifa të reduktuara të printimit dhe kopjimit, promovimin e vendeve të lira të punës vullnetare për grupin tuaj dhe marrjen me qira pa pagesë të një sërë pajisjesh zyre. Kjo perfshin: Afisho tabelat Lak i dëgjimit Projektor dixhital dhe ekran Sistemi PA Flip Charts Tavolinë e gjatë e palosshme Urnë e furnizimit me ujë të nxehtë Gazebo (kërkohet donacion 5 £) Nëse dëshironi të bëheni anëtar i FVAF-it, ju lutemi klikoni në butonin Join FVAF në të djathtë dhe plotësoni formularin. Për detaje të mëtejshme telefononi në 01594 822073 Është FALAS të bëhesh anëtar i FVAF për të hyrë në të gjitha shërbimet tona mbështetëse Bashkohuni me FVAF

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

Resource Hub/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

Role: Youth Projects Manager Salary: £30,000 – £37,000 (subject to experience) Hours: up to 37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday (some evenings/weekends may be required) Contract: Permanent Location: Forest of Dean District (Cinderford) Are you passionate about empowering young people and the communities that support them? FVAF are looking for a Youth Projects Manager to lead our group support and capacity building work, strengthening youth and community provision right across the Forest of Dean. JOB DESCRIPTION: Youth 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: Sunday 5th July, midnight For an informal discussion about the role, please contact fliss@fvaf.org.uk Send completed application forms to Fliss Simister at fliss@fvaf.org.uk

Lydney Link up soundbite Lydney Link Up 00:00 / 04:01 Lydney Link Up Julie at the Lydney Habour 00:00 / 01:17 Conversation with Vilnis Lydney Link Up 00:00 / 02:17 Lydney Link Up Mia's experience 00:00 / 01:49

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