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:

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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

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For media enquires contact communications@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073.