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

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

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

Mga Drop-in Hub ng Mga Tagabuo ng Komunidad The drop-in hub provides support to create, inspire and build stronger communities together Ang drop-in hub ay nagbibigay ng suporta upang lumikha, magbigay ng inspirasyon at bumuo ng mas malalakas na komunidad nang sama-sama Ang bawat drop-in hub ay nag-aalok ng iba't ibang suporta, payo at gabay para sa mga lokal na residente. Halimbawa; suporta at pag-sign sa pag-post sa mga lokal na serbisyo, pag-link at pag-set up ng bago mga grupo ng komunidad, na sumusuporta sa mga tao upang mas mapalapit sa trabaho o karagdagang edukasyon, tumulong na ma-access ang digital na mundo at suporta upang bigyang-buhay ang iyong mga ideya para sa komunidad. Maaari kaming mag-alok ng tulong sa: Mga pagkakataon sa pagboluntaryo Suporta sa kakayahang magamit Mga grupo at club ng lokal na aktibidad IT at digital na suporta Impormasyon sa lokal na kaganapan Mag-sign sa pag-post sa mga lokal na serbisyo 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.

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.

Community Connectors' Forum - Alamin ang iyong Patch Network Supporting Strong and Thriving Communities with Know Your Patch Pagsuporta sa Matatag at Umuunlad na Komunidad gamit ang Know Your Patch Ang Know Your Patch na bahagi ng Community Connectors Forum (CCF) ay nag-uugnay sa Voluntary and Community Sector, Statutory Services at mga lokal na residente sa paraang lumilikha ng mas mahusay na paraan ng pagtatrabaho. Ang Forest of Dean Know Your Patch Network ay idinisenyo upang ikonekta ang Voluntary and Community Sector, Statutory Services at mga lokal na residente sa isang paraan na lumilikha ng mas mahusay na paraan ng pagtatrabaho na sa huli ay nagpapalakas sa ating mga komunidad. Ang 'alok ng komunidad' na ito ay partikular na mahalaga sa pagpigil o pagkaantala sa pagdami ng mga pangangailangan sa kalusugan. Nagho-host kami ng mga quarterly event sa buong Forest of Dean kung saan inaanyayahan namin ang mga stakeholder na sumali sa talakayan tungkol sa kung ano ang mahalaga sa kanilang komunidad at kung paano makakatulong ang mga serbisyo at boluntaryong grupo ng sektor na suportahan ito. LIBRE ang bawat event na Know Your Patch at bukas sa sinumang gustong maging bahagi ng pag-uusap. Kung gusto mong dumalo mangyaring tumawag sa 01594 822073 o mag-email sa help4groups@fvaf.org.uk . Nagpapadala rin kami ng mga regular na e-mail at mga update sa aming Know Your Patch Network tungkol sa kung ano ang nangyayari sa Forest of Dean. Kung gusto mong sumali sa network na ito, mangyaring mag-subscribe dito . Salamat sa pagpopondo mula sa Ang Gloucestershire County Council , Ang Know Your Patch ay makukuha rin sa bawat iba pang Distrito sa Gloucestershire. Kung gusto mong malaman ang higit pa tungkol sa mga ito mangyaring bisitahin dito . Narito ang ilan sa mga pananaliksik na nagbibigay-diin sa ating pag-iisip: "Lahat tayo ay may papel na dapat gampanan sa pagtulong sa mga indibidwal at komunidad na bumuo ng panlipunang kapital. Lumalaki ang pagkilala na bagaman ang mga disadvantaged na mga grupo at komunidad sa lipunan ay may isang hanay ng mga kumplikado at magkakaugnay na mga pangangailangan, mayroon din silang mga ari-arian sa antas ng lipunan at komunidad. na maaaring makatulong na mapabuti ang kalusugan, at palakasin ang katatagan sa mga problema sa kalusugan" (The Kings Fund, 2018) "Ang mga may sapat na panlipunang relasyon ay may 50 porsiyentong mas mataas na antas ng kaligtasan kumpara sa mga indibidwal na may mahihirap na relasyon sa lipunan" (Holt-Lunstad et al 2010) "Ang mga social network ay ipinakita bilang makapangyarihang mga prediktor ng mortalidad gaya ng karaniwang pamumuhay at mga klinikal na panganib tulad ng katamtamang paninigarilyo, labis na pag-inom ng alak, labis na katabaan at mataas na kolesterol at presyon ng dugo" (Pantell et al 2013; Holt-Lunstad et al, 2010) . "Ang suportang panlipunan ay partikular na mahalaga sa pagtaas ng katatagan at pagtataguyod ng paggaling mula sa sakit" (Pevalin at Rose, 2003) "Ang kakulangan ng mga social network at suporta ay nagpapahirap sa pag-regulate ng sarili sa pag-uugali at pagbuo ng lakas at katatagan sa paglipas ng panahon, na humahantong sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga hindi malusog na pag-uugali" (Cacioppo at Patrick 2009). "Binabawasan ng Pakikilahok ng Komunidad ang paghihiwalay, pagbubukod at kalungkutan" (Farrell at Bryant 2009; Sevigny et al 2010; Ryan-Collins et al 2008) "Ang malakas na kapital sa lipunan ay nagpapabuti sa mga pagkakataon na maiwasan ang mga panganib sa pamumuhay tulad ng paninigarilyo" (Folland 2008; Brown et al, 2006) Spring/Summer Programme 2025 Welcome back to the Spring/Summer 2025 sessions in the Forest Know Your Patch network. We continue with the mixture of shorter sessions (from 10-11am) and longer sessions (from 10am until noon) - providing the opportunity for a more in-depth look at topics. The latter also provide a platform for attendees to share information about their work and current developments and partnerships. We have included a live event in Cinderford, in the heart of the Forest, at the end of May, and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at that networking event. 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. PROGRAMME 2025 Late Spring/Early Summer April 29th – 10-11am: Health in the Forest - Rethink/Great Oaks Hospice May 13th – 10-11am: Forest Food Network May 27th (tbc) IN-PERSON: Forest Digital Forest Showcase with Alex Digby June 10th – 10-11am Partnership Development - Integrated Care Board - Community Catalysts & Physical Health Self-Management June 24th – 10 - 11am: Join us for a “Virtual Cuppa” – And Help to Shape Know Your Patch in the Future July 8th – 10am - 12noon: Family Hubs in the Forest July 22nd – 10 - 11am : Holiday Provision for Children & Families All meetings are online via MS TEAMS except 27th May - further details about this event will be sent in due course.

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

Samahang Kabataan sa Kagubatan Nandito ang Forest of Dean Youth Association upang mag-alok ng tulong at suporta sa mga kabataan at mga youth club, grupo o organisasyon. Makipagkaibigan Makilahok sa iyong komunidad Ituloy ang interes Sumubok ng bago Matuto ng mga bagong kasanayan Magboluntaryo Gumawa ng isang mas mahusay na mundo Pagboluntaryo Mayroong maraming mga pagkakataon sa pagboboluntaryo para sa parehong mga kabataan at matatanda. Kung ikaw ay isang kabataan na naghahanap ng boluntaryong trabaho na gagawin sa iyong libreng oras, upang makakuha ng higit pang mga kasanayan o bilang bahagi ng iyong programa ng DofE mangyaring tawagan kami o bisitahin https://do-it.org/ Katulad nito, kung ikaw ay nasa hustong gulang na may mga kasanayan at kaalaman o nais mong suportahan ang isang organisasyon ng kabataan sa loob ng Forest of Dean, mangyaring makipag-ugnayan dahil maraming organisasyon ang magpapahalaga sa iyong suporta. Affiliated Membership para sa iyong Club / Organization Kapag kaakibat ka sa Forest of Dean Youth Association, magkakaroon ka ng karapatan sa aming buong hanay ng mga serbisyo, na nag-aalok ng payo at suporta sa lahat ng aspeto ng pagpapatakbo ng isang organisasyon tulad ng sa iyo. Nagpapatakbo din kami ng isang kalendaryo ng mga aktibidad kung saan ang iyong mga boluntaryo at kabataan ay maaaring lumahok sa isang maliit na bayad. Para sa buong detalye ng mga benepisyo o para irehistro ang iyong club, mag-click sa mga sumusunod na link Mga Benepisyo sa Membership ng Youth Association para sa mga Club Form ng Membership ng Youth Association para sa mga Club Mga Detalye ng Makipag-ugnayan Para sa Karagdagang Impormasyon Kung gusto mong malaman ang higit pa tungkol sa alinman sa aming mga proyekto o kaganapan o kung paano makibahagi, mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa aming Youth Association Development Officer, Alethea Bumpstead sa FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk For More Information If you would like to know about any of our projects or events or how to get involved, please get in touch with us at hi.ya @fvaf.org.uk Suporta sa Pinansyal Ang Forest of Dean Youth Association ay buong pagmamalaki na tumatanggap ng suportang pinansyal mula sa Cinderford at Coleford Town Councils. Kung ang iyong Parokya o Konseho ng Bayan ay gustong malaman ang higit pa tungkol sa Forest of Dean Youth Association o kung paano mo kami masusuportahan, mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa pamamagitan ng pag-email FodYouthAssociation@fvaf.org.uk

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.org Trouble downloading the documents? Contact communications@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073

FVAF Community Celebration & AGM 2023 FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2024 | 11AM - 2PM Ow Bis - Forest Community Space, Dockham Road GL14 2AN We are inviting the whole community to join us in celebrating the work FVAF has done over the last 12 months for, and with communities across the Forest of Dean PLUS it’s our 30th anniversary this year and we’re ready to celebrate! Refreshments and a delicious buffet lunch will be provided. Places are limited - please book your ticket ASAP READ THE AGM NOTICE BELOW: BOOK YOUR TICKET

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