Étude de cas : Emma Bostico Emma est une utilisatrice de notre Walking with Wheels Tramper. Elle a découvert Walking with Wheels pour la première fois au Wye Valley River Festival - «J'avais été réservée pour chanter avec ma chorale, mais l'accès à la salle de spectacle était très boueux. Un homme charmant est venu en bondissant et m'a proposé d'utiliser le Tramper pour traverser la boue. J'étais très sceptique sur le fait qu'il y parviendrait, mais le Tramper a rendu cela facile. J'étais instantanément amoureux et je ne voulais pas le rendre. Emma a accédé à l'un de nos sentiers jusqu'à présent, avec l'intention d'essayer nos autres itinéraires et ceux plus éloignés, offerts dans le cadre du Mobilité à la campagne réseau. Emma est une ardente défenseure du Tramper, se souvenant de son premier voyage, elle déclare : "Pour la première fois en plus de 7 ans, le Tramper m'a permis de "marcher" profondément dans les bois, en m'imprégnant des images, des odeurs et des sons agréables et nourrissants de la glorieuse forêt de Dean. Cela m'a donné un sentiment de liberté, d'indépendance et de calme intérieur. Nous avons passé des heures dans les bois. Je ne voulais pas rentrer chez moi. Il est difficile d'exprimer avec des mots à quel point j'en ai profité. Je voulais planifier mon prochain voyage le plus tôt possible. Interrogée sur l'impact du projet, elle déclare : « Étant handicapée et souffrant de maladies chroniques, je craignais de ne plus jamais aimer être parmi les arbres. Le Tramper a changé la donne. Cela m'a permis de partager des sorties en famille qui me manquaient. Parce que je peux utiliser le Tramper de manière totalement indépendante, cela signifie que ma famille peut aussi se détendre et s'amuser. Lorsqu'on lui demande ce qu'elle dirait à quelqu'un qui envisage d'essayer le Tramper, Emma s'enthousiasme : « Fais-le ! C'est tellement libérateur de se déplacer indépendamment dans les bois. Il est facile d'être rebuté d'essayer de nouvelles choses lorsque vous n'êtes pas mobile, de peur d'échouer, de vous blesser ou de vous humilier, mais le Tramper est très stable et sûr. On vous montrera comment l'utiliser et vous aurez un numéro de contact d'urgence au cas où vous rencontriez des problèmes (ce que je n'ai jamais). Le Tramper ne ressemble à rien d'autre. Il faut l'essayer pour le croire !" Bénévole avec Foresters' Forest Visitez le site Web de Foresters' Forest Inscrivez-vous à l'infolettre Foresters' Forest

Join our roadshow! Volunteer Week 2024 3-8 June We’re hitting the road again this year to celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2024! Volunteers' Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make, across the UK, through volunteering in their communities. In the first week of June (3-8), we will be taking our community engagement vehicle out and about across the Forest of Dean, promoting and celebrating all things volunteering. If you’re a local group or organisation who needs volunteers and would like the opportunity to promote what you do to the local community, we’re inviting you to join us. From 10am -2pm we will be in: ​ Wednesday 5 June LYDNEY - Taurus Crafts, The Old Park Park, Aylburton, Lydney GL15 6BU Thursday 6 June CINDERFORD - Ow Bist - Forest Community Space, Dockham Road GL14 2AN Friday 7 June COLEFORD - The Clocktower, Market Place GL16 8AW Saturday 8 June NEWENT - Newent Market Hall, Broad Street ​ If you’d like to join us, please let us know by 31 May. BOOK YOUR PLACE **PLUS pop along and pick up the latest editions of our popular publications ‘Volunteering in the Forest of Dean’ and ‘Forest Compass’. Can’t make it? We’re happy to take along any flyers/leaflets/poster/giveaways to promote your group or organisation – just drop them into the FVAF office at Ow Bist - Forest Community Centre, Dockham Road, Cinderford GL14 2AN (located in the Tesco carpark) by 4pm Friday 31 May.

Étude de cas : Mary Sullivan Mary est vice-présidente de la Forest of Dean Local History Society (LHS) et a contribué à façonner Foresters' Forest depuis le tout début. Avant même que le programme ait un nom, elle et le LHS avaient pour objectif de faire connaître l'histoire locale aux enfants et aux jeunes de la forêt, et cette passion a façonné son rôle en tant que membre du conseil d'administration. Mary entretient des liens avec la forêt depuis longtemps et a été une visiteuse régulière pendant des décennies avant de finalement s'installer ici en 2008, lorsqu'elle a pris sa retraite. Elle devient rapidement une membre active du LHS. "En tant que" revenu ", il était important de s'impliquer dans les choses de Forest of Dean pour se sentir enraciné", a déclaré Mary. « Aider à façonner le programme Foresters' Forest a été une extension de cela », a-t-elle expliqué, « contribuer de cette petite manière m'a donné plus d'un sentiment d'appartenance ». Beaucoup de choses dans le rôle de Mary au sein du conseil lui ont donné un sentiment d'accomplissement. « Être impliquée dans la planification et la réflexion à un niveau supérieur a été satisfaisante pendant ma retraite », a-t-elle déclaré. "J'ai aimé rencontrer et travailler avec de nouvelles personnes, et voir des idées se concrétiser." Maintenant presque à mi-parcours de la période financée par le programme, Mary a vu ses aspirations et celles du LHS se réaliser avec un programme d'éducation réussi engageant les écoles primaires et secondaires dans l'histoire et le patrimoine locaux. «L'école primaire de Lydbrook a été un véritable 'pionnier' en liant son programme d'études au patrimoine bâti, naturel et culturel du doyen», a déclaré Mary. Le travail d'écoles telles que Lydbrook est désormais étendu à d'autres écoles locales par le biais de journées de partage d'écoles. « C'était vraiment agréable de voir des enseignants de toute la région visiter les projets forestiers de Foresters lors de nos visites en minibus, découvrir comment ils peuvent intégrer le riche patrimoine de la région dans l'enseignement et l'apprentissage », a déclaré Mary. "J'ai également été ravi que tant d'écoliers locaux aient pu acquérir une expérience pratique de l'archéologie en visitant nos fouilles communautaires à Yorkley, Soudley et Ruardean ces dernières années." Mary a le sentiment d'avoir bénéficié personnellement de son rôle bénévole. « J'ai beaucoup appris sur les différentes organisations qui travaillent localement et sur l'important travail qu'elles font », a-t-elle expliqué. Mary se sent également extrêmement fière de tout ce qui a été accompli jusqu'à présent par le programme Foresters' Forest et a hâte de voir cela se concrétiser au cours des prochaines années. Bénévole avec Foresters' Forest Visitez le site Web de Foresters' Forest Inscrivez-vous à l'infolettre Foresters' Forest

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. Community Engagement Survey: Parish Councils First name Last name Email Job title Organisation/Group Continue

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! CLOSING DATE: MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 14 JULY 2024 Forest Volunteer Awards 2024 Nomination Form FOREST VOLUNTEER AWARDS 2024 Please select in which category you would like to nominate the individual or group. Your Volunteer of the Year Young Volunteer of the Year 16yrs & under Young Volunteer of the Year 17 – 21yrs Community Organisation of the Year Grassroots Award - Voluntary Group of the Year ESV Business in the Community Award FoD Dementia Action Alliance Accessibility & Inclusion Award Nominee details Name of the volunteer/group being nominated: Name of the organisation or group linked to the nominee (for individual nominees only) Volunteer role or role of group Contact details for nominee (email and telephone) Reason for nomination - please provide a brief description which outlines why you think this individual or group stands out. What makes them special and worthy of being celebrated? Your details Your name Your email address Your telephone number ​ Photographs – if you have any photographs please send them to communications@fvaf.org.uk Submit Thank you for taking the time nominate!

Our Green Impact Our Statement of Intent At a time of ongoing critical assessment as to how the resources of the world are being employed in economic and social activity, it is essential that all involved with Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) have a clear understanding as to how its work can impact on the environment. We accept responsibility for our actions and commit to working towards reducing any harmful effects it may have on the environment. It is also understood that, as a leader in the Forest of Dean voluntary and community sector, we have a responsibility to manifest best practice. ​ We will use, as its guiding principles - in order of priority – the need to: ​ REPAIR RE-USE REDUCE RECYCLE ​ Our policy describes how FVAF will implement practices that will minimalize the impact of its work on the environment. FVAF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Gold Award from the GEM NUS-Green Impact challenge GEM NUS Green Imapct Gold Award Certificate NUS Green Imapct Community Award Certificate In our first year taking part in the GEM NUS Green Impact Challenge , we were delighted to achieve a Gold Award. This UN award winning programme is designed to support and challenge organisations to look at the way they work and ensure that the practices they follow are as environmentally and socially sustainable as possible. The challenge was set as part of the *GEM Project’s partnership and our joint commitment to living sustainably and minimising our impact on the environment. Working together as a team, we shared ideas and encouraged lifestyle changes in the following areas: use of water and energy travel – work and personal recycling reducing and dealing with waste upcycling, freecycling unused goods using sustainable products encouraging biodiversity Other creative ideas from the team included making bird feeders from broken tree branches, a homemade recipe for a cleaning product, donations to local charity shops. ​ * The Going the Extra Mile Project (GEM) is an employability and social inclusion project supporting the most disadvantaged communities and individuals furthest from the labour market to find or get closer to employment. It is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of a national programme Building Better Opportunities.

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. Community Engagement Survey: Surgery Managers First name Last name Email Job title Organisation/Group Continue

Volunteer of the Year 2024 The People's Champion VOTING OPEN! 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 6 community heroes. Vote for your favourite by selecting ONE of the following volunteers: Liz Bell Pete Harper Elaine Quirk Lisa Robertson Sarah Wootton Emily Worrall VOTING CLOSES: MIDNIGHT MONDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER VOTE Thanks for voting! Check out the profiles of the shortlisted nominees below: Liz Bell Orchard Trust Site volunteer and Trustee Liz Bell has been a cornerstone of the Orchard Trust since she began volunteering at the Stowfield site in 2021. Her dedication and passion quickly became evident, leading her to take on the role of Trustee in 2022. Liz’s contributions extend far beyond her weekly volunteering; she has played a pivotal role in shaping the site and enhancing its value to the community. As a volunteer, Liz has taken charge of maintaining the sensory garden, apple tree circle, and general site upkeep. After spending time immersed in the environment, she began offering innovative ideas to improve it, always with the visitors' experience in mind. One of her most notable achievements was serving as the Volunteer Project Manager for the wildlife area. Liz not only designed and wrote the proposal for this project but also worked closely with the Stowfield site manager to ensure it was delivered on time and within budget—all in her own free time. Liz’s vision and hard work has helped to create a lasting community asset that is accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages, especially those who often face barriers to engaging with nature. Pete Harper Mycelium Mental Health Project Volunteer Pete Harper is the quiet force behind the success of the Mycelium Mental Health Project, a volunteer whose impact is felt far beyond the boundaries of the project itself. Described by his nominator as "one of the most humble and knowledgeable people I have ever met," Pete’s dedication and passion for mutual aid have been instrumental in establishing and nurturing Mycelium. Pete’s extraordinary commitment is matched by his generosity. He has been a steadfast supporter, working tirelessly to ensure the project's success. His influence extends beyond Mycelium, as he has become a vital advocate for our community’s mental health. Pete Harper is not just an extraordinary volunteer; he is a true champion for mental health, whose quiet strength and unwavering commitment continue to uplift and inspire all those around him. His work with Mycelium has created a lasting impact, ensuring that the most vulnerable in our community have a voice and a compassionate ally. Elaine Quirk Volunteer helper for Gloucestershire Carers Hub Elaine Quirk is the heart and soul of the Gloucestershire Carers Hub, where she serves as a Carer Welcomer at Bickys Carer Café in Coleford and Candi in Cinderford. With her gentle and kind demeanour, Elaine ensures that every unpaid carer who walks through the door feels truly welcomed and supported. Elaine has a remarkable ability to make people feel valued. Carers who attend the sessions she hosts often leave with a renewed sense of being heard, respected, and encouraged to share their experiences. Her presence has significantly increased footfall at Bickys during quieter times and helped Candi engage with new clients, extending the reach of the Carers Hub in meaningful ways. Elaine’s work goes beyond welcoming carers—it’s about creating a supportive space where they can find comfort and community. Her dedication to helping others has made a lasting difference in the lives of many, and her warm presence is an essential part of the Carers Hub’s success. Lisa Robertson Ruardean Youth Leader For nearly 20 years, Lisa Robertson has been the heart and soul of Ruardean Youth Club, dedicating countless hours of her free time to creating a safe, fun, and supportive environment for youth people aged 11-18. Under Lisa’s guidance, the Youth Club has become a vital resource for the community, offering a wide range of activities, advice, and information to help teenagers navigate their challenges. Lisa’s impact on the lives of hundreds of children and young people in Ruardean is immeasurable. She is known for her selfless dedication, always going above and beyond to ensure that the Youth Club not only thrives but also continues to meet the evolving needs of the community and every young person who walks through the door. Her contributions extend far beyond the Youth Club. Lisa also played a key role in organising the annual Ruardean Carnival and most recently, Lisa has spearheaded the creation of the Ruardean Community Orchard. Lisa’s tireless efforts and deep commitment to her community make her an extraordinary volunteer and a true inspiration. Her work has left a lasting legacy in Ruardean, enriching the lives of countless young people and helping to build a stronger, more connected community. Sarah Wootton Chair of the Committee - Brockweir Village Shop & Café As the Chair of the Committee for Brockweir Village Shop & Café, Sarah Wootton has been a pillar of strength and leadership for her community. When a devastating fire struck the shop in June 2023, Sarah immediately took charge, and with the help of the amazing committee and employees, Ferne and Kris, coordinated efforts to ensure the swift and successful rebuilding of this vital community hub. Sarah's dedication has been unwavering—she handled complex negotiations with the insurance company and loss adjustor, navigated the flood of daily emails, and provided steadfast support to the shop's staff and volunteers. Her commitment didn’t end with reopening the shop; she has continued to offer guidance and encouragement to everyone involved, helping them navigate the challenges that followed the fire. Sarah's efforts have ensured that even in the face of adversity, the shop, which serves as a cornerstone of the village is not just a place to shop—it’s a lifeline for locals and visitors alike. Emily Worrall Volunteer fundraiser at Great Oaks Hospice Emily Worrall is an invaluable member of the fundraising team at Great Oaks Hospice, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and a contagious positivity to everything she does. With her bright smile and can-do attitude, Emily ensures that the Hospice’s events are well-publicised, tirelessly delivering and posting event posters across all the Forest. Her dedication doesn’t stop there—Emily is always on hand at events, whether it’s setting up, taking down, or even getting the party started with her infectious dance moves at discos. Emily’s journey is truly inspiring. Despite facing learning difficulties, she has worked hard to live independently, and her contributions to the team go far beyond her tasks. Emily is more than just a volunteer; she is a cherished member of the Great Oaks Hospice family. Find our more about the Forest Volunteers Awards here:

"Bâtir des communautés plus fortes en la forêt de Dean" Qu'est-ce que la FVAF ? FVAF signifie Forum d'Action Volontaire Forestière. Nous offrons un soutien aux citoyens locaux, aux groupes communautaires et aux activités pour faire les choses qui comptent le plus pour eux. Cela inclut les éléments suivants : ​ accompagnement et conseil en développement formation information réunions de réseautage faciliter la représentation recrutement de bénévoles placement et accompagnement de bénévoles ​ Nous menons également de nombreux projets avec et pour la communauté locale, tels que la Forest of Dean Youth Association, les campagnes d'activités de vacances, le Forest Youth Music Network, le projet GEM, le Forest Compass Directory, Walking with Wheels et bien d'autres. Consultez notre page Projets pour tous les détails. ​ En savoir plus Hop onboard the DigiBus! FREE 1-2-1 training ​ Coming to a town near you…the DigiBus will be stopping at locations across the Forest during June and July with trainers on hand to help you improve your digital skills. FIND OUT MORE NOUVEAU Répertoire du bénévolat Encore plus facile de faire du bénévolat dans la forêt de Dean ? À la FVAF, nous avons produit un tout nouveau livret intitulé Volontariat dans le Forêt de Dean. Il s'agit d'un répertoire gratuit de quelques-unes des nombreuses opportunités de bénévolat disponibles localement. Des copies papier seront bientôt disponibles votre section locale Bibliothèque ou Hub communautaire ou cliquez ci-dessous pour télécharger un copie numérique. Télécharger le livret du bénévolat Trouvez votre centre d'accueil le plus proche OUVERT Hubs de développement communautaire Entrez et discutez en face à face avec un bâtisseur de communauté. Chaque centre d'accueil offre une variété de soutien, de conseils et d'orientation pour les résidents locaux. Par exemple; soutien et signalétique vers les services locaux, mise en relation et mise en place de nouveaux groupes associatifs, accompagnement des personnes pour se rapprocher de l'emploi ou de la poursuite d'études, aide à l'accès au monde numérique et soutien pour donner vie à vos idées pour la communauté. Forêt de Dean Association des jeunes Forest of Dean Youth Association aide les jeunes de moins de 25 ans à devenir des citoyens proactifs et des leaders de leur propre vie. Nous soutenons également les groupes communautaires et les organisations de la forêt de Dean pour améliorer l'excellent travail qu'ils accomplissent déjà en débloquant les compétences et les atouts locaux, qu'il s'agisse de personnes, de lieux ou de financements. L'équipe possède une grande variété de compétences et d'expériences de travail avec les jeunes et nos communautés forestières, ce qui nous permet de nous adapter et de réagir à la plupart des projets ou demandes de renseignements liés aux jeunes. En conséquence, l'Association des jeunes s'implique dans une grande variété de projets en plus d'offrir une signalétique d'accompagnement et de services. En savoir plus Soutien bénévole Si vous souhaitez faire du bénévolat dans la forêt de Dean, nous avons une sélection d'opportunités actuelles pour vous. ​ Si vous êtes un groupe communautaire qui souhaite un soutien bénévole, nous pouvons promouvoir votre offre de bénévolat pour vous. Si vous avez besoin d'aide et de conseils pour travailler avec des bénévoles, veuillez nous contacter Search Volunteer Opportunites Suis nous sur Facebook Nous publions régulièrement nos dernières nouvelles et événements sur Facebook. Pour les informations les plus récentes, veuillez suivre notre page Facebook Aller sur Facebook Nos partenaires

OUR FOREST EVENTS Community ideas wanted for ‘Our Forest’ £3m lottery bid An opportunity for people and community organisations to discuss project ideas for Our Forest's planned National Lottery Heritage Fund Bid. BOOK TICKETS: Saturday 13th April, Lydney Town Hall - 1pm - 4pm BOOK TICKET: Sunday 14th April, Mitcheldean Community Centre - 1pm - 4pm We’re excited to announce that we are leading on preparing a new £3million bid to the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NLHF). ​ Called ‘Our Forest’ this new community-driven project will focus on the heritage of the Forest of Dean To prepare for this bid, we are asking local people, community groups and organisations to have their say at two community events we are hosting this weekend. ​ Taking place at 1pm-4:30pm on Saturday (13 April) at Lydney Town Hall and 1pm-4:30pm on Sunday (14 April) at Mitcheldean Community Centre , these events are open for anyone to attend, to share and discuss ideas for potential heritage projects, partnerships and collaborations that could be included in the bid for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). ​ Deb Cook, our Volunteering Manager at FVAF said “Heritage is what you think is important and should be preserved. It could be about improving access to landscapes, historical sites, or collections; cultural activity or traditions; stories and celebrations as well as more traditional ideas of heritage. It can be anything from the past or even present that you value and want to pass on to future generations. ​ She added: “We’re asking the community to come along to one of these events to be part of the conversation and tell us what they think is important to include in the ‘Our Forest’ project.” ​ Building upon the legacy of the Foresters' Forest Landscape Partnership programme, ‘Our Forest’ will focus on involving diverse people, grass-roots organisations, and the voluntary community sector, with projects that involve young people, older people, hardly reached groups, as well as focusing on mental health and wellbeing.

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. Community Engagement Survey: Town Councils First name Last name Email Job title Organisation/Group Continue