Come Tell the Future Story of the Forest of Dean READ MORE Frequently visited pages: COMMUNITY HUBS VOLUNTEER ADVICE YOUTH SUPPORT Ano ang FVAF? Ang FVAF ay kumakatawan sa Forest Voluntary Action Forum. Nag-aalok kami ng suporta sa mga lokal na mamamayan, mga grupo ng komunidad at mga aktibidad upang gawin ang mga bagay na pinakamahalaga sa kanila. Kabilang dito ang mga sumusunod: suporta at payo sa pag-unlad pagsasanay impormasyon mga pagpupulong sa networking nagpapadali sa representasyon boluntaryong pangangalap paglalagay ng boluntaryo at suporta Nagpapatakbo din kami ng maraming proyekto kasama at para sa lokal na komunidad, tulad ng Forest of Dean Youth Association, Holiday Activity Campaigns, The Forest Youth Music Network, The GEM Project, The Forest Compass Directory, Walking with Wheels at marami pa. Tingnan ang aming pahina ng Mga Proyekto para sa buong detalye. "Pagbuo ng Mas Matibay na Komunidad sa ang kagubatan ng Dean" Alamin ang higit pa JOIN OUR MAILING LIST Get the latest community news and check out exciting volunteering opportunity in or around the Forest of Dean... Pumunta sa Facebook Useful publications: FREE directory of the many volunteering opportunities available locally... DOWNLOAD Ang aming mga Kasosyo 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. 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

Tungkol sa FVAF Ang aming Kwento Kami ang Voluntary Service Council at Volunteer Center para sa Forest of Dean. Nagbibigay kami ng tulong sa marami sa daan-daang boluntaryo at mga organisasyong pangkomunidad sa Distrito na siya namang mas mahusay na makapaghatid ng kanilang gawain sa at para sa lokal na komunidad. Mula nang nabuo noong 1994, nakabuo kami ng isang reputasyon para sa paghikayat, pagtanggap at pagpapahusay ng pagkilos ng komunidad sa buong Forest of Dean. Naniniwala kami na sa pamamagitan ng mga pamamaraang pinangungunahan ng komunidad ay binibigyang-daan namin ang mga mamamayan na bumuo ng mga kasanayan, katatagan at kapital sa lipunan upang mamuhay nang mas masaya, mas konektadong buhay. Mga Serbisyo sa Opisina Staff at Trustees Mga patakaran Accessibility at Sustainability

EVENTS CALENDAR Check out the latest hip happenings in the Forest!

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.

Pagboluntaryo Bilang Volunteer center para sa Forest of Dean narito kami para tulungan kang mag-recruit at mamahala ng mga boluntaryo Ang aming bagong Volunteering booklet na puno ng mga detalye ng lokal na pagboboluntaryo ang mga pagkakataon ay lumabas ngayon CLICK TO DOWNLOAD O kumuha ng kopya sa iyong lokal na library o Community Hub Bilang Volunteer Center para sa Kagubatan ng Dean madalas kami ang unang punto ng pakikipag-ugnayan para sa sinumang interesadong magboluntaryo. Noong nakaraang taon, ipinagmamalaki naming suportahan ang mahigit 100,000 oras na halaga ng pagboboluntaryo sa lugar! Ang FVAF ay nagpo-promote at nag-a-advertise ng malawak na hanay ng mga pagkakataon sa pagboboluntaryo mula sa mga organisasyon na kapareho ng aming etos sa pagsuporta sa mga boluntaryo at pagkilala sa malawak na hanay ng mga dahilan kung bakit pinipili ng mga tao na magboluntaryo. Bakit Volunteer? Ang pagboluntaryo ay may maraming malalaking benepisyo, hindi lamang para sa iyo nang indibidwal, ngunit para sa iyong komunidad at sa mundong ating ginagalawan. Kung nais mong pagandahin ang iyong CV, makakilala ng mga bagong tao, gamitin ang iyong mga kasanayan sa mabuting paraan, matuto ng bago, ituloy ang isang interes, mag-alok ng karanasan o simpleng gumawa ng pagbabago, garantisadong magkakaroon kami ng pagkakataon para sa iyo! Maaari mong malaman ang tungkol sa mga pagkakataong ito sa mga sumusunod na paraan: Maghanap ng mga pagkakataon sa Do-it.org Tawagan kami sa 01594 822073 Makipag-ugnayan sa pamamagitan ng email Bisitahin kami sa FVAF Mon - Biy 9:00 - 1:00 ( Direksyon ) Kung naghahanap ka na magboluntaryo bilang bahagi ng isang malaking grupo, halimbawa bilang bahagi ng corporate volunteering, kung gayon mayroon din kaming malawak na hanay ng mga pagkakataong mapagpipilian. 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 Bilang isang one-stop-shop para sa lahat ng bagay na pagboboluntaryo, gumagamit kami ng isang multi-faceted na pamamaraan upang mabigyan ka ng pinakamahusay na posibleng pagkakataon na mag-recruit at mapanatili ang mahahalagang boluntaryo. Kabilang dito ang mga sumusunod: Pag-advertise ng iyong mga pagkakataon sa Do-it.org Pag-promote ng iyong mga pagkakataon sa mga miyembro ng publiko na tinukoy sa amin o sa pamamagitan ng aming drop-in function. Pag-advertise ng iyong mga pagkakataon sa aming mga pahina sa Facebook at Twitter Pag-promote ng iyong mga pagkakataon sa mga lokal na serbisyo na sumusuporta sa pagboboluntaryo hal. Job Center, LearnDirect at 2GetherTrust Pag-advertise ng iyong mga pagkakataon sa mahigit 30 kaganapan bawat taon Pagpapadala ng iyong mga pagkakataon sa mga lokal na negosyo na nag-aalok ng pagboboluntaryong suportado ng employer Pagsusulong ng mga kaugnay na pagkakataon sa Mga Paaralan, Kolehiyo at Unibersidad Pamamahagi ng iyong mga pagkakataon sa aming boluntaryong database ng higit sa 1,000 katao Pagpo-promote ng iyong mga pagkakataon sa iba't ibang network, kabilang ang Know Your Patch As a one-stop-shop for all things volunteering, we can help you find, and keep, the perfect volunteer: 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)

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

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.

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.

Come Tell the Future Story of the Forest of Dean Have your say on the Forest's future – including potential UNESCO Biosphere designation. Over the next six weeks, we're inviting you to help shape the future of our Forest. Together with Wylderne, the new community stewards of the Wilderness Centre in Mitcheldean, we've been commissioned by Forest of Dean District Council to lead an exciting conversation across our community about what comes next for this special place we call home. 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? Drop in and chat with us We're coming to a venue near you throughout January and February: January dates: 22 Jan, 11am-2pm:Chillout Zone, 36 Broad St, Newent GL18 1AJ 26 Jan, 11am-2pm: Café Sixteen, 16 Bank St, Coleford GL16 8BA 28 Jan, 10am-12pm: The Victoria Centre, 5 Victoria Road, Lydney GL15 5DG 29 Jan, 11:30am-1:30pm:The Swan Community Hub, Ledbury Rd, Staunton GL19 3QA 30 Jan, 9-10am: Hilltops Family Centre, Latimer Road, Cinderford GL14 2QA February dates: 2 Feb, 10am-1pm: Ow Bist, Dockham Rd, Cinderford GL14 2AN 3 Feb, 11am-1pm: Sedbury Space,11 King Alfreds Rd, Sedbury, Chepstow NP16 7AG 3 Feb, 5:30- 7:30pm: LBTQ+ Workshop - Coleford, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RHL 9 Feb: 11am-2pm : Café Sixteen, 16 Bank St, Coleford GL16 8BA 10 Feb, 11am-2pm: FOD CAP Workshop -Ow Bist, Dockham Rd, Cinderford GL14 2AN, 16 Feb, 10am-1pm: Ow Bist, Dockham Rd, Cinderford GL14 2AN 19 Feb, 11:30am-1:30pm :Chillout Zone, 36 Broad St, Newent GL18 1AJ 23 Feb: Cinderford, Hilltops Family Centre, 9-10am 23 Feb: 11am-2pm : Café Sixteen, 16 Bank St, Coleford GL16 8BA 25 Feb: 10am-12pm : The Victoria Centre, 5 Victoria Road, Lydney GL15 5DG 26 Feb: 11:30am-1:30pm :The Swan Community Hub, Ledbury Rd, Staunton GL19 3QA 27 Feb, 9-10am: Hilltops Family Centre, Latimer Road, Cinderford GL14 2QA Special event for Town & Parish Councillors 7 February at the Wilderness Centre, Mitcheldean Can't make it in person? Join the conversation online: AI-moderated video chat rooms – for those who prefer face-to-face conversation Text-based discussion platform – make and vote on comments at your own pace Visit www.wylderne.com for links and more information. Y oung people Special sessions are happening at youth groups across the Forest including Ruardean, Blakeney, and others. 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 has championed the biosphere idea, says: "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. This will nurture interest from Forest folk as well as visitors, increase local pride of place amongst residents, and attract a welcome uptick in the hospitality economy." 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

🌟 Forest Volunteer Awards 2025 – Celebrating Local Heroes 🌟 This year, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible individuals, groups, and organisations who go the extra mile to make the Forest of Dean a better place. Whether they’re quietly making a difference or leading bold community change, we want to hear their stories. THE CATEGORIES: 🏆 Volunteer of the Year – People's Champion This is your chance to celebrate an unsung hero. Someone who consistently goes above and beyond to support others, uplift their community, or inspire through their own journey. Their dedication may have transformed lives—or even kept vital services running. We're looking for someone who: Shows exceptional dedication and commitment to their volunteer role Has made a significant positive impact on individuals or the wider community Demonstrates reliability, compassion, and selflessness May have overcome personal challenges while helping others Goes above and beyond to support those in need ✨ This is the only award chosen by public vote! Once finalists are announced, the community will decide who takes home the title. 🌱 Young Volunteer of the Year (21 & under) Recognising a young person who's making a big impact. Whether they've overcome personal challenges or shown outstanding commitment to helping others, this award celebrates young volunteers —in schools, clubs, or community projects. We're looking for a young person who: Demonstrates exceptional commitment to volunteering despite their age Serves as a role model and inspiration to other young people Shows maturity, leadership, and dedication beyond their years May have overcome personal obstacles while helping others Actively contributes to making their school, club, or community better Examples might include: peer mentoring, fundraising champions, environmental activists, community event organisers, or young carers who also volunteer. 🤝 Grassroots Group of the Year For small, volunteer-led groups making a big difference. From lunch clubs to sports teams, support circles to hobby groups—if your local group is powered by passion and community spirit, we want to celebrate it. We're looking for groups that: Are entirely or predominantly volunteer-run Demonstrate strong community impact despite limited resources Show innovation, creativity, and resilience in their approach Foster genuine connections and belonging among members Address local needs or bring people together around shared interests Operate with transparency, inclusivity, and community spirit Examples might include: village halls committees, friendship groups, local history societies, craft circles, walking groups, or neighbourhood support networks. 🏢 Community Organisation Award Recognising larger charities, CICs, CIOs, or teams of staff and volunteers making a meaningful impact in the Forest of Dean. We celebrate organisations that: Make a real difference by creating positive, lasting change in the local community Join forces with other local groups and partners to work together effectively Stay open and accountable while encouraging active community participation Keep evolving to meet new challenges and the changing needs of the community Use resources wisely to bring the greatest possible benefits to those who need them Stay true to the mission and focus on what matters most to the Forest of Dean Champion volunteering by effectively recruiting, supporting, and valuing volunteers This award highlights established organisations with formal structures, paid staff, and a commitment to fostering and sustaining volunteer contributions. 🏢💚 Business in the Community Award Celebrating local businesses that give back. Whether through employee volunteering, project sponsorship, or hands-on community support, this award recognises businesses that are making a real social impact. We're looking for businesses that: Go beyond profit to actively contribute to community wellbeing Encourage and support employee volunteering during work time Provide meaningful sponsorship, donations, or in-kind support Partner with local charities and community groups Operate with environmental and social responsibility Demonstrate genuine, long-term commitment to the Forest of Dean Examples might include: businesses offering apprenticeships to local youth, companies supporting community events, employers giving staff volunteer days, or businesses donating skills, space, or resources. ♿ Accessibility & Inclusion Award (sponsored by FoD Dementia Action Alliance) This award celebrates organisations or groups that are actively working to break down barriers and create welcoming, inclusive spaces. It's not about being perfect—it's about showing commitment to accessibility, equity, and belonging for all. We're looking for organisations that: Actively work to remove physical, social, or communication barriers Demonstrate understanding of diverse needs including disability, age, culture, and background Show ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and inclusion Provide training, support, or resources to become more inclusive Create environments where everyone feels valued and able to participate Take practical steps to accommodate different needs and abilities This could include: dementia-inclusive initiatives, wheelchair accessible improvements, sensory-friendly adaptations, multilingual support, or programmes specifically designed to welcome marginalised groups. 🌍 Community Climate Action Award (sponsored by Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership) F or individuals or VCSE groups leading the way in environmental action. From community gardens and repair cafés to sustainable transport and flood resilience—if you're helping the Forest adapt and thrive in a changing climate, we want to hear from you. We're looking for nominees who: Take practical action to address climate change or environmental challenges Inspire and educate others about sustainable living Develop innovative solutions to local environmental issues Build community resilience to the impact of the changing climate Create lasting positive environmental change in the Forest of Dean Examples might include: renewable energy projects, sustainable food initiatives, active travel promotion, waste reduction campaigns, or climate adaptation projects. NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED FAQs Who can nominate? Anyone can nominate! Whether you are an individual local resident, part of a community group or from a local government organisation. How can I nominate? It’s easy – just fill in our nomination form here or if you would prefer a paper copy you can request one via communications@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073. What information do I need to provide? Please provide plenty of detail about what the nominee has achieved and as much information as possible about them and their unique contribution. If you have any, please provide good quality photographs. Make sure that you have permission from anyone else in the photograph so that we can use it for media and promotional activities unless you tell us not to. Should I tell the person or organisation I am nominating them or keep it a surprise? Ideally it would be good to let them know once you have decided to nominate, just so that they are aware and happy for their story to be shared. We want to celebrate and shout about the wonderful work of volunteers which would include promotion via social media, on our website and to local press. How will it be judged? All nominations will be carefully considered by a panel of judges. This panel will be made up of a mix of unbiased and independent judges including; members of staff from FVAF, a FVAF trustee, and representatives from local councils, businesses and media. For more information or if you have any questions, email communications@fvaf.org.uk or call 01594 822073 .