案例研究：玛丽·沙利文 玛丽是院长地方历史协会森林 (LHS) 的副主席，从一开始就参与了塑造森林人森林的工作。在该计划还没有名字之前，她和 LHS 的目标就是将当地历史带给森林中的儿童和年轻人，这种热情塑造了她作为董事会成员的角色。 玛丽与森林有很长时间的联系，几十年来一直是常客，直到 2008 年她退休后终于搬到这里。她很快成为 LHS 的活跃成员。 “作为一个‘收入者’，参与到迪恩森林的事情中让自己感到脚踏实地很重要，”玛丽说。 “帮助塑造森林人的森林计划是这一点的延伸，”她解释说，“以这种微小的方式做出贡献给了我更多的归属感”。 玛丽在董事会中的角色给了她很多成就感。 “在我的退休生活中，参与更高层次的计划和思考让我很满足，”她说。 “我很享受与新朋友会面和共事，并看到想法变成现实。” 现在该计划的资助期已接近一半，Mary 已经看到她自己和 LHS 的愿望正在通过一项成功的教育计划实现，让小学和中学都了解当地的历史和遗产。 “Lydbrook 小学在将课程与院长的建筑、自然和文化遗产联系起来方面是真正的'开拓者'，”玛丽说。 Lydbrook 等学校的工作现在正在通过学校共享日传播到其他当地学校。 “很高兴看到来自该地区的教师在我们的迷你巴士之旅中参观 Foresters' Forest 项目，更多地了解他们如何将该地区丰富的遗产融入教学和学习中，”Mary 说。 “我也很高兴有这么多当地的学童通过参观我们在约克利、苏德利和鲁尔迪恩的社区挖掘活动，获得了亲身体验考古学的经验。” 玛丽觉得她个人通过她的志愿角色而受益。 “我学到了很多关于在当地工作的不同组织以及他们所做的重要工作”，她解释道。 Mary 还对 Foresters' Forest 计划迄今为止所取得的一切感到非常自豪，并期待在未来几年内看到这一点。 森林人森林志愿者 访问 Foresters 的森林网站 订阅森林人的森林通讯

案例研究：大卫查洛纳 照顾迪恩森林中的野生小马帮助志愿者大卫查洛纳保持活跃，了解保护知识并为他的当地景观带来真正的改变。 大卫是格洛斯特郡野生动物信托基金领导的森林保护放牧项目的志愿者。该项目在森林中引入了野生小马和牛放牧区，以改善更广泛植物和野生动物的栖息地。大卫是训练有素的保护放牧志愿者团队的一员，他们帮助格洛斯特郡野生动物信托基金的工作人员检查放牧动物。 谈到他的马匹背景，大卫说：“由于我的平衡和视力问题，我提前退休了。我搬到了西班牙，在那里我学会了骑马，并第一次意识到了马的存在，以及我多么喜欢和它们在一起。有趣的是，我的状况让我无法骑自行车，但骑马似乎工作得很好，所以这些生物对我来说代表着非常特别的东西。” 当大卫搬回迪恩森林后，志愿服务迅速成为他生活的重要组成部分。 “当我们搬回英国时，我们最终被迪恩森林所吸引，因为它感觉就像一个很棒的地方，”他说。 “自从搬到这里以来，我已经非常忙于各种志愿服务。志愿服务对我来说意义重大，它让我忙碌、活跃，并提供结构和持续的兴趣。” 保护放牧项目意味着大卫第一次可以将志愿服务和小马结合起来。他说：“直到保护放牧项目即将开始并需要志愿者检查库存时，我才知道森林人的森林。 因为马真的是我的最爱，所以当我看到 Edgehills 的标语上写着 Exmoor Ponies 即将到来时，我正想帮忙！” 谈到他在该项目中的经历，大卫说：“作为一名股票检查员，在 Edgehills 经历了一些真正的冒险。我们在鼓励小马从一个保护区移动到另一个保护区的同时，享受了一些很棒的乐趣和游戏，尤其是在泥泞的时候！作为志愿者，我们与当地人讨论垃圾和不喂小马的问题，我认为这有助于提高人们经常在该地区行走的意识。” 了解森林中的小马一直是大卫项目的一个特殊部分。 “与动物在一起并照顾它们是我的亮点，”他说。 “我喜欢夏天的时候，你可以进入他们中间，如果你长时间站着不动，他们可能会过来给你一个鼻子。作为志愿者，这是我们必须实现的谨慎平衡，因为我们需要小马在我们身边感到放松，以便我们检查它们，但我们希望它们保持狂野并与公众保持距离。我们必须很好地了解他们，并为一些真实的角色取绰号。” 让大卫忙碌的不仅仅是小马。 “志愿服务带来了一种我没想到的社会元素，”他解释道。 “定期访问该站点至关重要，在此期间与志愿者团队的其他成员会面并不少见。我结交了一些好朋友，并且感觉完全融入了这个项目，特别是通过我们的 Stock Checkers WhatsApp 小组，这是一个团队互动的简单工具。 “我确实觉得我正在履行一个重要的角色，项目负责人已经明确表示，我们的志愿者参与非常感谢。这个角色是一个真正的责任和承诺，所以我感到自己的工作受到重视是很棒的。” 保护放牧项目小马为大自然做了一项重要的工作，它们吃像荆棘和金雀花等占主导地位的植物，并践踏蕨菜。这是管理土地的一种自然方式，可以让更广泛的动植物茁壮成长，包括鸟类、爬行动物和昆虫。 自从成为志愿者以来，大卫已经注意到森林的不同之处。 “通过参与这个项目，我学到了很多东西，”他说。当我开始时，动物是我的主要兴趣，但我对保护问题的认识已经大大提高。 “看到效果的发生令人着迷。我观察到地面的轻微清理，不同的物种更加明显。我逐渐在 Edgehills 看到了更多的加法器和更多种类的鸟类。 “我全心全意地享受我作为股票检查员的角色。我觉得我在为关爱迪恩森林做出一点贡献，我希望尽可能地继续支持保护放牧项目。” 森林人森林志愿者 访问 Foresters 的森林网站 订阅森林人的森林通讯

IT’S OFFICIAL! We’re an inclusive employer We are super delighted to announce that we have been awarded a Gloucestershire Inclusive Employer Award! At a special event held at Stroud Brewery on Monday 17 October, we were presented with an award in recognition of our commitment to inclusive recruitment and the support we gave to three young people, with hidden disabilities, on the Kickstart Scheme. Two of the young people now work at FVAF and the third has successfully gained employment elsewhere. Team members told us they are more confident to talk about their own needs as well as support others; and it has given us greater confidence to encourage others to seek the benefits of diversity and inclusion in their own organisations. Cathy Griffiths, FVAF’S GEM Project Navigator, who accepted the award said: “Creating inclusive work practices is a long-term journey. So we are delighted to have got this award and our commitment to inclusivity will be shaping key actions now and for the year ahead.” The Gloucestershire Inclusive Employer awards, hosted by Inclusivity Works , were launched by the GEM Project. The scheme recognises employers who are committed to building an inclusive culture where diverse groups of people can come to work, feeling valued and confident to be themselves.

NEW Welcome Group comes to Coleford ​ Intergenerational social group to help support young people with disabilities MONDAY 15 AUGUST Read More Frequently visited pages: COMMUNITY HUBS VOLUNTEER ADVICE FOREST YOUTH ASSOCIATION 什么是 FVAF？ FVAF 代表森林自愿行动论坛。我们为当地公民、社区团体和活动提供支持，帮助他们做对他们最重要的事情。这包括以下内容： ​ 支持和发展建议 训练 信息 网络会议 促进代表 志愿者招募 志愿者安置和支持 ​ 我们还与当地社区合作并为当地社区开展许多项目，例如院长森林青年协会、假日活动活动、森林青年音乐网络、GEM 项目、森林指南针目录、带轮子行走等等。查看我们的项目页面了解完整详情。 ​ “在中国建立更强大的社区 迪恩森林” 了解更多 JOIN OUR MAILING LIST Get the latest community news and check out exciting volunteering opportunity in or around the Forest of Dean... 去脸书 Useful publications: FREE directory of the many volunteering opportunities available locally... DOWNLOAD 我们的同伴 We work with so many amazing and supportive partners. Find out more here...

Community Engagement - NHS assets and services We are currently carrying out community engagement work in the Forest of Dean seeking information about the use of NHS assets and services. We would very much appreciate it if you could help provide information as part of this exercise. ​ We hope you will be able to provide answers to a few questions in a survey that should only take a few minutes to complete. ​ ​ We would appreciate it if you could provide some information about the groups that you facilitate – and indicate whether these are within NHS buildings or other buildings. Community Engagement Survey: Community Groups First name Last name Email Job title Organisation/Group Continue

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 VACANT Youth Association Manager Lisa Robertson Youth Development Officer Katy Virgo Youth Development Officer Courtney Middleton Project Coordinator Alex Digby Digital & Community Hubs Facilitator Melanie Benn Community Builder Teresa Rose Community Connectors' Facilitator Natasha Nelson ​ Forest Food Network Coordinator Simon Price MY Networks Project Manager Emily Timmins Parish Youth Worker Fliss Simister Children, Young People & Families Development Officer 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 Sue Pritchard Trustee Louise Penny Trustee Vicky Head Trustee Christopher Walker Trustee Interested in becoming a FVAF Trustee? To find out more contact 01594 822 073 or contact@fvaf.org.uk

VOTING NOW OPEN! VOTING CLOSES 10PM THIS SUNDAY - ??? SEPTEMBER Volunteer of the Year 2023 - People's Champion Time to choose your champion... We recently asked you to nominate a local volunteer who has gone above and beyond for their community over the past 12 months, and/or has an inspiring story. ​ We had some cracking nominations, and it was an extremely hard task to narrow it down BUT after much deliberation, our panel of community experts have shortlisted 5 community heroes. To vote for your favourite by selecting ONE of the following volunteers: Check out the profiles of the shortlisted nominees below Martin Elsmore VOLUNTEER AT The Golden Triangle Club An essential member of the volunteer team at The Golden Triangle Club, Martin gives a huge amount of his time and thought into providing a safe, fun place for adults with Learning Disability in the Forest of Dean and beyond. ​ Martin goes above and beyond to make sure that the members have the best time by arranging a selection of activities including demonstrating his fantastic DJing skills at regular discos and organising theatre and shopping trips. For the members, this club is a lifeline and really enhances their enjoyment of life. Steve Gregory VOLUNTEER at Foresters’ Forest & FVAF Steve has an incredible volunteer story. V olunteering has helped re-build his life and confidence after a brain tumour about 4 years ago. Along with volunteering with Foresters' Forest on a variety of wildlife projects, he has become an advocate and trainer for the accessible Walking with Wheels project and has become FVAF's in-house photographer. FVAF recently received funding to send Steve on a course to learn how to teach Mindfulness Photography. He plans to use these new skills by sharing them with the Forest of Dean Community. He is an inspiration and a great story of how volunteering can change people's lives. Hannah McGowan VOLUNTEER at Forest of Dean Hosts Ukrainians The founder of the FOD Hosts of Ukrainians support group, Hannah has given, and continues to give hundreds of hours of her time to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Responding to the pressing need to help Ukrainian refugees, Hannah was the driving force in bringing the local community together to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive place for Ukrainians by matching hosts and guests. From raising money to pay for transport and everyday living costs, Hannah and her amazing community team provide advice and support to host families and financial and emotional aid to guests. Les Cockle VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISER at Great Oaks Hospice An amazing example of a dedicated and selfless fundraiser, for many years Les has worked tirelessly repairing and refurbishing donated bikes which he sells from his house 7 days a week. Every penny made from the sale of the bikes is donated to Great Oaks Hospice. In just two years Les has raised an incredible £43,000 for the hospice and this money has helped the hospice to provide the wonderful care and support they offer to individuals and families across the Forest of Dean. Mark Jones VOLUNTEER at SWASFT Community First Responder for South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust Despite working full-time at a local secondary school, Mark supports the local community as a first responder, providing emergency care around the Forest of Dean at least twice a week. Throughout the pandemic Mark volunteered thousands of hours and regularly attends cardiac arrests and falls, throughout the night whilst still going to work in the morning. Find our more about the Forest Volunteers Awards here: