COMING SOON! Universal Youth Services We’re thrilled to announce our new partnership to bring 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 will be 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. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to be part of something amazing! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT... Gloucestershire Gateway Trust The Venture Community Hub

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.

Youth Support in the Forest of Dean Forest Youth Association Here to offer help and support to young people and youth clubs, groups or organisations. Discover more Local Youth Clubs Check out the timetable of regular youth clubs and events What's on offer NEW! Universal Youth Services We’ve joined forces Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and The Venture Community Hub, to make a real difference in the lives of young people Discover more

Our publications Forest Compass Edition 3 Volunteering in the Forest of Dean 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 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.

FVAF பற்றி FVAF பற்றி நமது கதை நாங்கள் தன்னார்வ சேவை கவுன்சில் மற்றும் டீன் வனத்திற்கான தன்னார்வ மையம். மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள நூற்றுக்கணக்கான தன்னார்வ மற்றும் சமூக அமைப்புகளுக்கு நாங்கள் உதவிகளை வழங்குகிறோம் 1994 இல் உருவாக்கப்பட்டதிலிருந்து, டீன் காடு முழுவதும் சமூக நடவடிக்கைகளை ஊக்குவிப்பது, தழுவுவது மற்றும் மேம்படுத்துவதற்கான நற்பெயரை நாங்கள் உருவாக்கியுள்ளோம். சமூகம்-தலைமையிலான அணுகுமுறைகள் மூலம், மகிழ்ச்சியான, சிறந்த இணைக்கப்பட்ட வாழ்க்கையை வாழ்வதற்கான திறன்கள், பின்னடைவு மற்றும் சமூக மூலதனத்தை வளர்க்க குடிமக்களுக்கு உதவுகிறோம் என்று நாங்கள் நம்புகிறோம். அலுவலக சேவைகள் ஊழியர்கள் மற்றும் அறங்காவலர்கள் கொள்கைகள் அணுகல் மற்றும் நிலைத்தன்மை

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.

சமூகத்தை உருவாக்குபவர்கள் டிராப்-இன் ஹப்ஸ் The drop-in hub provides support to create, inspire and build stronger communities together டிராப்-இன் ஹப், வலுவான சமூகங்களை உருவாக்க, ஊக்குவிக்க மற்றும் உருவாக்க ஆதரவை வழங்குகிறது ஒவ்வொரு டிராப்-இன் மையமும் உள்ளூர்வாசிகளுக்கு பல்வேறு ஆதரவு, ஆலோசனை மற்றும் வழிகாட்டுதலை வழங்குகிறது. உதாரணத்திற்கு; உள்ளூர் சேவைகளுக்கு ஆதரவு மற்றும் கையொப்பமிடுதல், இணைத்து புதியதாக அமைக்கவும் சமூகக் குழுக்கள், மக்கள் வேலைவாய்ப்பு அல்லது மேலதிகக் கல்வியை நெருங்க உதவுதல், டிஜிட்டல் உலகத்தை அணுக உதவுதல் மற்றும் சமூகத்திற்கான உங்கள் யோசனைகளை உயிர்ப்பிக்க உதவுதல். நாங்கள் உதவி வழங்க முடியும்: தன்னார்வ வாய்ப்புகள் வேலை வாய்ப்பு ஆதரவு உள்ளூர் செயல்பாட்டுக் குழுக்கள் & கிளப்புகள் ஐடி மற்றும் டிஜிட்டல் ஆதரவு உள்ளூர் நிகழ்வு தகவல் உள்ளூர் சேவைகளில் கையொப்பமிடுதல் 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.

Help us create a mural celebrating the Forest of Dean's tradition of community action ! We're creating a mural to celebrate our incredible heritage of community action, mutual support, and resilience! From our mining traditions to welcoming Ukrainian families, from river fishing to friendly societies – we want to hear all the stories that matter. The finished mural will be painted on the side of Ow Bist - Forest Community Space, Dockham Road, Cinderford, creating a lasting tribute to our community's story. We've held two drop-in workshops, led by local artist Tom Cousins, where we invited the community to come along and share their amazing stories and ideas about what makes our area special. Couldn't Make It to the Workshops? We Still Want to Hear From You! We've created the below online survey – so you can still contribute your memories, stories, and ideas for the mural. Whether you've lived here all your life or recently made this place home, your perspective is valuable. What We're Looking For Personal stories that capture the spirit of our community Memories of local traditions, places, or events Examples of how neighbours have supported each other What makes you proud to be part of this community Ideas for images or symbols that represent our shared heritage Share your thoughts and ideas below: Your Forest of Dean Stories Your name (optional) How long have you lived in/been connected to the Forest of Dean area? 1. What does community spirit mean to you in the Forest of Dean? 2. Which of these themes resonate most with your experience of our area? (Tick all that apply) Food & Resources (traditional land use, fishing, growing food, sharing resources) Landscape & Environment (rivers, mining heritage, how place shapes community) Arts & Culture (music, festivals, creative traditions) Community Action (mutual aid, rights movements, defending our heritage) Settlers & Diversity (different communities who've made this area home) 3. What's a story, memory, or tradition from the Forest of Dean that you think should be celebrated in the mural? 4. Are there particular people, groups, or movements (historical or recent) that represent the community spirit of our area to you? 5. What would you like visitors and future generations to understand about the Forest of Dean community? Would you be interested in helping with the mural painting in August? Yes - I'd love to help paint! No, but I support the project Email details (if you'd like updates) Submit

Forest of Dean Digital Partnership FUNDED BY THE BARNWOOD TRUST A collaborative community partnership project, led by FVAF. This district-wide partnership, the first of its kind, was created to break down the barriers people face in relation to digital inclusion and unlock the many assets available within our communities and the digital world.   Forest of Dean Digital Partnership - Final Evaluation September 2024 Report - Download Forest of Dean Digital Partnership - Final Evaluation September 2024: APPENDICES APPENDIX 1: Forest of Dean Digital Partnership Application APPENDIX 2: Insight into Set up and Delivery of Local Digital Inclusion Pilot Projects APPENDIX 3: Healthwatch Gloucestershire - Access to digital technologies APPENDIX 4: Partner Claim Form APPENDIX 5: Instructions for filling in Partner’s claim form APPENDIX 6: Promo flier - Invitation to get involved APPENDIX 7: EOI Process Map APPENDIX 8: EOI Document A template APPENDIX 9: EOI Document B template APPENDIX 10: EOI scoring sheet APPENDIX 11:Forest of Dean Community Choir EOI Document 1 APPENDIX 12: Forest of Dean Community Choir EOI Document 2 APPENDIX 13: Virtual Sight Loss EOI Document 1 APPENDIX 14: Virtual Sight Loss EOI Document 2 APPENDIX 15: CVT EOI Document 1 APPENDIX 16: CVT EOI Document 2 APPENDIX 17: Outdoors, Indoors EOI Document 1 APPENDIX 18: Outdoors, Indoors EOI Document 2 APPENDIX 19: Forest Pathways EOI Document 1 APPENDIX 20: Forest Pathways EOI Document 2 APPENDIX 21: Project Engage EOI Document 1 APPENDIX 22: Project Engage EOI Document 2 APPENDIX 23: Forest of Dean Hybrid Choir Final Evaluation APPENDIX 24: CVT - Digital Inclusion Workshop Final Evaluation APPENDIX 25: Outdoors, Indoors Final Evaluation APPENDIX 26: Forest Pathways Final Evaluation APPENDIX 27: Forest Pathways Executive Summary APPENDIX 28: Reflection Session Presentation APPENDIX 29: Journey Reflection OTHER PROJECT PUBLICATIONS: EASY READ BOOKLET - How to use the computer and software EASY READ BOOKLET - Staying Safe Online

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!

சக்கரங்களுடன் நடப்பது அவற்றில் ஒன்றைப் பயன்படுத்தவும் உங்கள் நடைபயிற்சி திறனைப் பொருட்படுத்தாமல், உங்கள் குடும்பத்தினர் மற்றும் நண்பர்களுடன் அழகான வனப் பாதைகளை அணுக அனைத்து நிலப்பரப்பு மொபிலிட்டி ஸ்கூட்டர்கள். தி டீன் காடு நடைபயிற்சி மற்றும் சைக்கிள் ஓட்டுதலுக்கான அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்ட மையமாக உள்ளது, மேலும் பாதைகள் மற்றும் பிற மேற்பரப்பு அணுகல் மூலம் நன்கு சேவை செய்யப்படுகிறது. உடல் ஊனம், மோசமான உடல்நலம், உணர்ச்சிக் குறைபாடு அல்லது வேறு சில தடுப்பு நிலைகள் உள்ளவர்களுக்கு, மற்றவர்கள் எடுத்துக் கொள்ளும் பலன்களை அனுபவிக்க சில ஆற்றல்மிக்க உதவி, சிறப்பு விளக்கம் அல்லது பிற பொருத்தமான ஊடகங்கள் தேவைப்படலாம். இது காடுகளின் காடு ஹெரிடேஜ் லாட்டரி நிதியுதவி திட்டம், இணைந்து செயல்படுகிறது கிராமப்புற இயக்கம் டீன் வனப்பகுதியை அதிக மக்கள் அணுகுவதற்கான வாய்ப்புகளை வழங்குகிறது. வாக்கிங் வித் வீல்ஸ் அனைத்து நிலப்பரப்பு மொபிலிட்டி ஸ்கூட்டர்களை (டிராம்பர்ஸ் என்று அழைக்கப்படும்) கிரைஸ்ட்சர்ச்சில் உள்ள வன விடுமுறைகள் மற்றும் ஸ்பீச் ஹவுஸ் ஹோட்டலில் இருந்து வாடகைக்கு வழங்குகிறது. சைமண்ட்ஸ் யாட், பிப்லின்ஸ், சிரில் ஹார்ட் ஆர்போரேட்டம் மற்றும் மல்லார்ட்ஸ் பைக் லேக் ஆகியவற்றின் காட்சிகளை எடுத்துச் செல்லும் முன்-மேப் செய்யப்பட்ட பாதைகளுக்கு டிராம்பர்கள் கிடைக்கின்றன. வாக்கிங் வித் வீல்ஸ் பற்றி மேலும் அறிய விரும்பினால் 01594 822073 அல்லது மின்னஞ்சல் மூலம் எங்களை தொடர்பு கொள்ளவும் . அடிக்கடி கேட்கப்படும் கேள்விகள் 'டிராம்பர்' என்றால் என்ன? இந்த சேவையை யார் பயன்படுத்தலாம்? நான் எந்த வழிகளில் இதைப் பயன்படுத்தலாம்? வாடகைக்கு எப்போது கிடைக்கும்? நான் எப்படி ஒன்றை முன்பதிவு செய்யலாம்? ஒரு டிராம்பர் வேலைக்கு எவ்வளவு செலவாகும்? இவற்றில் ஒன்றை நான் இதற்கு முன் பயன்படுத்தவில்லை என்றால் என்ன செய்வது? எனக்கு கூடுதல் உதவி தேவைப்பட்டால் என்ன செய்வது? நான் ஏன் கிராமப்புற இயக்கத்தில் உறுப்பினராக வேண்டும்? இந்த திட்டத்திற்கு நான் உதவ முடியுமா? நான் முன்பதிவை ரத்து செய்ய வேண்டும் என்றால் என்ன செய்வது? Frequently Asked Questions

Summer Holiday Activities & Food We’ve teamed up with Gloucestershire Cou nty Counci l and arranged a packed timetable of FREE fun! The HAF programme is open to all school aged children, who live in the Forest of Dean, and who qualify for free school meals. If funding allows, s ometimes activities are extended and offered to all children and young people across Gloucestershire through the Holiday Activities Programme (HAP). There's something for eve ryone - we've got sports clubs, cooking, crafts, play sessions an d so much more... You need to be registered to book | All sessions mus t be pre bo oke d REGISTER HERE For information or support with the HAF Spring programme contact: HAFParentEnquiries@gloucestershire.gov.uk or ring the HAF helpline on 01452 427960. BOOKING NOW OPEN! CHECK OUT THE TIMETABLE **PLEASE NOTE: You can only book 4 activities at a time - please wait 24 hours before you book again** For more information visit the Gloucestershire County Council website here