FVAF TRAINING SURVEY

Pag-aaral ng Kaso: David Chaloner Ang pag-aalaga sa mga ligaw na kabayo sa Forest of Dean ay nakatulong sa boluntaryong si David Chaloner na manatiling aktibo, matuto tungkol sa konserbasyon at gumawa ng tunay na pagbabago sa kanyang lokal na tanawin. Nagboluntaryo si David sa The Foresters' Forest Conservation Grazing project, sa pangunguna ng Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Ipinakilala ng proyekto ang mga lugar ng wild pony at mga baka na nagpapastol sa Kagubatan upang mapabuti ang tirahan para sa mas malawak na hanay ng mga halaman at wildlife. Si David ay bahagi ng isang pangkat ng mga sinanay na Conservation Grazing volunteer na tumutulong sa mga kawani ng Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust na suriin ang mga hayop na nagpapastol. Sa pagsasalita tungkol sa kanyang background sa mga kabayo, sinabi ni David: "Nagretiro ako nang maaga dahil sa mga problema sa aking balanse at paningin. Lumipat ako sa Spain kung saan natuto akong sumakay sa kabayo at namulat ako sa unang pagkakataon tungkol sa mga kabayo at kung gaano ako kasaya sa paligid nila. Ang isang nakakatawang bagay ay ang aking kondisyon ay nagiging imposible para sa akin na sumakay ng bisikleta ngunit ang pagsakay sa mga kabayo ay tila gumagana nang maayos, kaya ang mga nilalang na ito ay kumakatawan sa isang bagay na napakaespesyal sa akin. Nang bumalik si David sa Forest of Dean, mabilis na naging mahalagang bahagi ng kanyang buhay ang pagboboluntaryo. "Nang lumipat kami pabalik sa UK, kalaunan ay nadala kami sa Forest of Dean dahil parang napakagandang lugar," sabi niya. "Naging sobrang abala ako sa lahat ng uri ng pagboboluntaryo mula noong lumipat ako dito. Malaki ang kahulugan sa akin ng pagboluntaryo, pinapanatili akong abala, aktibo at nagbibigay ng istraktura at patuloy na interes.” Ang proyekto ng Conservation Grazing ay nangangahulugan na sa unang pagkakataon, maaaring pagsamahin ni David ang pagboboluntaryo at mga kabayo. Sinabi niya: "Hindi ko alam ang Foresters' Forest hanggang sa magsisimula na ang proyekto ng Conservation Grazing at nangangailangan ng mga boluntaryo sa pag-check ng stock. Dahil bagay talaga sa akin ang mga kabayo, nang makita ko ang mga karatula sa Edgehills na nagsasabing darating ang Exmoor Ponies, nag-chomping ako para tumulong!" Sa pagsasalita tungkol sa kanyang karanasan sa proyekto, sinabi ni David: "Ang pagiging isang Stock Checker ay may kasamang ilang tunay na pakikipagsapalaran sa Edgehills. Nagkaroon kami ng ilang mahusay na kasiyahan at mga laro habang hinihikayat ang mga kabayo na lumipat mula sa isang reserba patungo sa isa pa, lalo na kapag ito ay maputik! Bilang mga boluntaryo, nakikipag-usap kami sa mga lokal na tao tungkol sa mga basura at hindi pagpapakain sa mga kabayo, at sa palagay ko ay nakatulong ito sa pagpapataas ng kamalayan sa mga taong regular na naglalakad sa lugar.” Ang pagkilala sa mga ponies ng Forest ay isang espesyal na bahagi ng proyekto para kay David. "Ang pagiging kasama ng mga hayop at pag-aalaga sa kanila ay ang highlight para sa akin," sabi niya. "Gustung-gusto ko ito sa tag-araw kapag maaari kang makapasok sa gitna nila at kung tumayo ka nang matagal, maaari silang lumapit at bigyan ka ng isang nuzzle. Ito ay isang maingat na balanse na kailangan naming makamit bilang mga boluntaryo, dahil kailangan namin ang mga kabayong makaramdam ng relaks sa amin upang masuri namin sila, ngunit gusto namin silang manatiling ligaw at panatilihin ang kanilang distansya mula sa mga miyembro ng publiko. Nakilala namin silang mabuti at may mga palayaw para sa ilan sa mga tunay na karakter.” Hindi lang ang mga ponies ang nagpapa-abala kay David. "Ang pagboluntaryo ay nagdulot ng isang panlipunang elemento na hindi ko inaasahan," paliwanag niya. “Ang mga regular na pagbisita sa site ay mahalaga at karaniwan nang makipagkita sa iba pang miyembro ng volunteer team sa mga panahong ito. Nagkaroon ako ng ilang mabubuting kaibigan, at pakiramdam ko ay ganap na nakaugnay sa proyekto, lalo na sa pamamagitan ng aming mga pangkat ng Stock Checkers WhatsApp na napakadaling tool para sa pakikipag-ugnayan bilang isang team. "Nararamdaman ko na ginagampanan ko ang isang mahalagang tungkulin, at nilinaw ng mga pinuno ng proyekto na talagang pinahahalagahan ang aming paglahok sa boluntaryo. Ang tungkulin ay isang tunay na pananagutan at pangako, kaya napakagandang pakiramdam na pinahahalagahan ko ang aking ginagawa.” Ang Conservation Grazing project ponies ay gumagawa ng isang mahalagang trabaho para sa kalikasan, kumakain ng mga halaman na nangingibabaw tulad ng bramble at gorse, at yurakan ang bracken. Isa itong natural na paraan ng pamamahala sa lupa para umunlad ang mas malawak na hanay ng mga hayop at halaman, kabilang ang mga ibon, reptilya at insekto. Napansin na ni David ang pagkakaiba sa Kagubatan mula nang magsimula bilang isang boluntaryo. "Natutunan ko ang maraming bagay sa pamamagitan ng aking pakikilahok sa proyekto," sabi niya. Ang mga hayop ang aking pangunahing interes noong nagsimula ako, ngunit ang aking kamalayan sa mga isyu sa konserbasyon ay lumaki nang husto. "Nakakatuwa na makita ang mga epektong nangyayari. Naobserbahan ko ang banayad na paglilinis ng lupa, iba't ibang uri ng hayop ang mas kitang-kita. Unti-unti akong nakakita ng mas maraming adders at mas maraming iba't ibang mga ibon sa Edgehills. “Buong puso kong tinatangkilik ang aking tungkulin bilang isang Stock Checker. Pakiramdam ko ay nag-aambag ako sa pag-aalaga sa Forest of Dean sa maliit na paraan, at umaasa akong patuloy na suportahan ang Conservation Grazing Project hangga't kaya ko." Magboluntaryo sa Foresters' Forest Bisitahin ang Foresters' Forest Website Mag-sign up para sa newsletter ng Foresters' Forest

Our partners We work with, and are supported by so many fantastic organisations. ​ The projects and services we deliver in partnership with others, and the funding we receive makes it possible for us to support voluntary activity and community action in the Forest of Dean. ​ These are just some of the organisations we currently work closely with:

SUMMER HAF - HOLIDAY, ACTIVITIES & FOOD WEEK 1 - 1 to 4 August MONDAY PROSTARS KIDS CLUB CAMP (4-12yrs) Dene Magna Secondary School, Picklenash Junior School, Dean Academy Secondary School PROGRESSIVE SPORTS ACTIVE CAMPS (4-13yrs) St Whites Primary School, Cinderford SWIM PASS (4-16 yrs) Freedom Leisure, Cinderford LITTLE LEARNERS CRAFTS, MESSY PLAY AND MORE Foxglove Gardens, Coleford WILDINGS HOLIDAY CLUB (5-12yrs) Noxon Farm Permaculture, Lydney ​ REKINDLE YOUTH HOLIDAY HANG OUT (13-16yrs) Kensley Sheds, Cinderford, Coleford Recreation BOOK HERE Click to book WEDNESDAY PROSTARS KIDS CLUB CAMP (4-12yrs) Dene Magna Secondary School, Picklenash Junior School, Dean Academy Secondary School PROGRESSIVE SPORTS ACTIVE CAMPS (4-13yrs) St Whites Primary School, Cinderford SWIM PASS (4-16 yrs) Freedom Leisure, Cinderford LITTLE LEARNERS CRAFTS, MESSY PLAY AND MORE Foxglove Gardens, Coleford ​ WILDINGS HOLIDAY CLUB (5-12yrs) Noxon Farm Permaculture, Lydney ​ REKINDLE YOUTH HOLIDAY HANG OUT (13-16yrs) Kensley Sheds, Cinderford, Coleford Recreation BOOK HERE Click to book TUESDAY PROSTARS KIDS CLUB CAMP (4-12yrs) Dene Magna Secondary School, Picklenash Junior School, Dean Academy Secondary School PROGRESSIVE SPORTS ACTIVE CAMPS (4-13yrs) St Whites Primary School, Cinderford SWIM PASS (4-16 yrs) Freedom Leisure, Cinderford NEWENT INITIATIVE ACTIVITY SESSIONS (9-16 yrs) ​ Chillout Zone, Newent LITTLE LEARNERS CRAFTS, MESSY PLAY AND MORE Foxglove Gardens, Coleford ​ WILDINGS HOLIDAY CLUB (5-12yrs) Noxon Farm Permaculture, Lydney ​ REKINDLE YOUTH HOLIDAY HANG OUT (13-16yrs) Kensley Sheds, Cinderford, Coleford Recreation BOOK HERE Click to book THURSDAY PROSTARS KIDS CLUB CAMP (4-12yrs) Dene Magna Secondary School, Picklenash Junior School, Dean Academy Secondary School PROGRESSIVE SPORTS ACTIVE CAMPS (4-13yrs) St Whites Primary School, Cinderford SWIM PASS (4-16 yrs) Freedom Leisure, Cinderford ARCHERY King George V Field, Coleford LITTLE LEARNERS CRAFTS, MESSY PLAY AND MORE Foxglove Gardens, Coleford ​ WILDINGS HOLIDAY CLUB (5-12yrs) Noxon Farm Permaculture, Lydney ​ REKINDLE YOUTH HOLIDAY HANG OUT (13-16yrs) Kensley Sheds, Cinderford, Coleford Recreation BOOK HERE Click to book FRIDAY PROSTARS KIDS CLUB CAMP (4-12yrs) Dene Magna Secondary School, Picklenash Junior School, Dean Academy Secondary School PROGRESSIVE SPORTS ACTIVE CAMPS (4-13yrs) St Whites Primary School, Cinderford SPORTILY ADVENTURE DAY Christian Adventure Centre, Lydney ARCHERY King George V Field, Coleford WILDINGS HOLIDAY CLUB (5-12yrs) Noxon Farm Permaculture, Lydney ​ REKINDLE YOUTH HOLIDAY HANG OUT (13-16yrs) Kensley Sheds, Cinderford, Coleford Recreation BOOK HERE Click to book For more information visit the Gloucestershire County Council website here

Foresters' Forest Magboluntaryo sa Foresters' Forest Bisitahin ang Foresters' Forest Website Mag-sign up para sa newsletter ng Foresters' Forest Kami ay isang National Lottery Heritage Fund Landscape Partnership program, na nabuo mula sa isang asosasyon ng mga kasosyong organisasyon at mga lokal na grupo ng komunidad sa loob ng Forest of Dean. Ang aming layunin ay itaas ang kamalayan at pakikilahok sa binuo, natural at kultural na pamana na ginagawang espesyal ang aming Forest. ​ Mayroong maraming mga bagay na makikita, gawin, galugarin at makilahok, kaya umaasa kaming pupunta ka at samahan kami sa isang hanay ng mga aktibidad, mga pagkakataon sa pagboboluntaryo at mga kaganapan. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon mangyaring bisitahin ang aming nakatuong website www.forestersforest.uk . ​ Sa madaling salita, ang Foresters' Forest Program ay nakabatay sa limang tema: Ang Ating Stronghold para sa Kalikasan, Paggalugad sa ating Kagubatan, Pagbubunyag ng ating Nakaraan, Pagdiriwang ng ating Kagubatan, Pag-secure ng ating Kinabukasan. Ang bawat isa sa mga temang ito ay may hanay ng mga proyektong naglalahad, nagbabahagi at nagdiriwang ng ating pamana. Maraming pagkakataon para makilahok ka sa pag-aaral at pagprotekta sa aming espesyal na kagubatan, kaya umaasa kaming pupunta ka at samahan kami! Kilalanin ang ilan sa aming mga Volunteer Pag-aaral ng Kaso David Chaloner Nagboluntaryo si David sa The Foresters' Forest Conservation Grazing project, sa pangunguna ng Gloucestershire... Magbasa pa Pag-aaral ng Kaso Gwynneth Weaver Nagkaroon ako ng ilang magagandang karanasan sa Foresters' Forest Archaeology Project. Ang mga paghuhukay ay may... Magbasa pa Pag-aaral ng Kaso Keith Walker Nakikibahagi sa maliit na boluntaryong pangkat na inatasang iligtas ang Scarr Bandstand at magbigay ng plataporma para sa... Magbasa pa

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 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...

Get top tips to ‘Live for Less’ at community drop-in event! 2pm - 5pm Wednesday 22 March| Lydney Town Hall GL15 5DY Come along to our FREE drop-in event for top tips and advice to help you with the rising cost of living. ​ From 2pm to 5pm you will get the chance to visit over 25 information stalls and speak face-to-face with experts who can offer help with food support, reducing bills, energy saving, searching for a job and benefits and money advice. PLUS we’ve got some fantastic interactive demos featuring cooking with Dean Forest Kitchen, grow your own tips from Adult Education Gloucestershire and upcycling skills with Newent Upcycling. In addition, AEG will also be giving a taste of the other sessions that they offer . Chris Brown, our CEO at said “With the cost of living constantly on the rise we are seeing first-hand the strain and impact this is having on the day-to-day lives of local people. This drop-in event will offer tips and advice and help everyone discover sustainable ways to cut their bills and save money.” ‘Living for Less’ is a free community drop-in event with a wide range of organisations signed up to attend including Forest of Dean District Council, Citizens Advice Bureau, Severn Wye Energy Agency, DWP, Homestart, Wlydwood, Two Rivers Housing and many other local community and support groups. Full list of organisations attending: Forest of Dean District Council - community, health, benefits and housing teams SevernWye Energy Agency Citizens Advice Bureau Department For Work and Pensions – Benefits and employment team Newent Upcycling Dean Forest Kitchen Friends of Forest Waterways Christians Against Poverty Wyldwood Crossroads Care Gloucestershire Carers Healthwatch Gloucestershire Adult Education Gloucestershire FRED – Forest Read Easy Deal Charlie's in the Forest Lydney Hub Gloucestershire Community Rail Two Rivers Housing Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Mothers in Mind/Homestart Lydney Exchange Gloucestershire Nightstop Great Oaks Hospice Managing Memory GOPA - Gloucestershire Older Persons' Association Dementia Action Alliance - DDA CCP – Caring for Communities and People For more information contact contact@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073.

Volunteer of the Year 2023 T he 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 7 community heroes. Vote for your favourite by selecting ONE of the following volunteers: Chris Brain Melanie Getgood Jando Greco Edna Husbands Barbara Jenkins Albert Weager Dave Young VOTING CLOSES: 10PM SUNDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER VOTE Thanks for voting! Check out the profiles of the shortlisted nominees below: Chris Brain Chairman & Coach of Broadwell Youth Football Club For the past 15 years Chris has dedicated a huge amount of his time, energy and passion into grassroots sports. A constant supporter and instrumental in the ongoing success of Broadwell Football Club, Chris has served as the Chairman of the club and more recently 2 and half years as the First Team Manager. The pinnacle of his successful coaching term came last year when Chris led his side to Les James Cup victory. Going out on a high, Chris has just retired and deserves recognition for his dedication and commitment which has provided the opportunity for 100’s of children to play football and helped to create the thriving community football club Broadwell FC has become. Melanie Getgood Chairperson at Friends of Worcester Walk Melanie has been the inspirational driving force of Friends of Worcester Walk (FoWW). Her steadfast commitment to Worcester Walk has seen it develop into a unique richly diverse habitat in the Forest of Dean. Melainie goes the extra mile to share the experience of being in nature, through events with school groups, volunteers, and local people. With her generous inclusive way, she has built a solid and diverse group of volunteers for FoWW and ensures that everyone is welcome, and their work appreciated. Melanie’s community work doesn’t end there! She is also a co-opted member of the Environmental Committee of Coleford Town Council, helps run a local Morris Dancing group, has organised clean ups in the Coleford Cemetery, King George Playing Field and Bells Field. Melanie works tirelessly for community but is always friendly, approachable, kind and generous with her time and with everyone she meets. Jando Greco Volunteer helper at St Stephen's Church Cinderford Jando is a fantastic example of the impact volunteering can have for the community, and in growing as a person. For the past twelve years, Jando has supported St Stephen’s Church through his involvement with many projects, services, events and prayer groups. Jando is often found setting up and tidying after events or keeping the church tidy midweek between services. He helps with the Fairtrade Stall and Fairtrade Friday coffee afternoons, and is a leader at Messy Church. Usually the first to put his hand up to help, like many volunteers, much of what Jando does is 'behind the scenes' and unseen. But that doesn't bother him at all, he just loves volunteering his time, feeling part of a community and growing his skills as well as sharing his talents with others. His nominator said that: “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 and would love for him to be recognised for his service!” Edna Husbands Lydcare Community Transport Co-ordinator at Lydcare An essential member of the team, Edna is responsible for organising Lydcare Community Transport Service. A complex and demanding role, on average Edna deals with over 120 calls from people who request transport and with drivers to arrange journeys. Edna's role requires a massive commitment both in time and energy and requires a high degree of patience and diplomacy dealing with last minute medical appointments, cancellations and reschedules. Thanks to her tireless work over 4,000 journeys are completed every year, helping over 2,700 people get to hospital, medical appointments and social events which due the lack of public transport would be impossible. Lydcare was the only community transport service running through the pandemic and this was down to Edna's determination and commitment to ensure patients, particularly those who usually received home visits, were able to get to important medical appointments. Edna also works as a voluntary driver and is an outstanding volunteer working for the benefit of those in need within the community. Barbara Jenkins Organiser of the ‘Over Sixties Group’ Berryhill Memorial Institute AKA ‘The Hut’ It would be hard to find a volunteer in the Forest with a longer commitment to volunteering in the community than Barbara! For over 50 years, Barbara has been the lead organiser of the ‘Over Sixties Group’ at the ‘The Hut’ Berryhill Memorial Institute. This popular group has been providing social activities to help combat isolation for the older community for decades. Collecting community memories for a recent memory capsule, created as part of The Hut’s centenary celebrations, revealed that Barbara had been quietly managing this group since 1971. But Barbara’s involvement with The Hut goes even further back to her childhood when her father was resident caretaker, and her mother was involved in organising activities. A wonderful and unique example of generations getting involved with the community to make it a better place, Barbara is an inspiration to us all and shows no sign of slowing down. Albert Weager Community representative & advocate for better healthcare in FoD A more committed and dedicated community representative than Albert would be hard to find! For over a decade Albert has tirelessly advocated for better health provision in the Forest of Dean. With an incredibly long service on the FoD Health Forum, in 2014 he was appointed chair and has been instrumental in ensuring that everyone is listened to and given the opportunity to ask questions. At a county level, Albert chairs the People and Communities Reference Group for Urgent and Emergency Care and is the community representative on the Urgent and Emergency Care, Patient Flow Clinical Programme Group. Not stopping there, Albert is also represents local people on the Ageing Well Care Programme Board and has been the patient representative on the Blood Transfusion Committee for over ten years. Everything Albert does is as a volunteer and we must congratulate him on his drive and passion. Dave Young Volunteer driver, cook, outreach at Forest Sensory Services & Samaritans Over the past 2 years Dave has dedicated more and more of his time volunteering and going above and beyond to support other people. Starting as a volunteer driver for Forest Sensory Services (FFS), Dave now volunteers with FSS 3 times a week and even dons his chef hat and cooks up a delicious feast, twice a month, for the service’s clients. A fantastic supporter of all the work that FSS does, Dave plays an active role in outreach sessions to make visually impaired people aware of the support services offered and he also helps with fundraising. Along with his face-to-face volunteering, Dave volunteers with the Samaritans answering the phone a couple of times a week offering emotional support . Plus promoting Samaritans with outreach in the community. His nominator said: “Dave is an inspiring person and an amazing volunteer who does so much for other people.” Find our more about the Forest Volunteers Awards here:

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.

What we do We support many community-led projects shaped with, and for local people: ​ Employment and skills support Holiday Activity and Food Programme Community Builders Forest of Dean Youth Association Walking with Wheels Know Your Patch Forest Compass

We crown our community heroes! The community turned out in force on Tuesday 3 October to see local volunteers crowned at our glittering Forest Volunteers Awards 2023 celebration at the AccXel Training Centre in Cinderford. READ THE NOMINEE PROFILES IN THE AWARDS PROGRAMME We created the Forest Volunteer Awards to recognise and celebrate the amazing efforts of local volunteers in the Forest of Dean and earlier this Summer, we asked you to nominate those volunteer heroes who have demonstrated exceptional and outstanding support to the local community over the past 12 months. We had an amazing response and received hundreds of nominations. Our expert community panel had the tough task of shortlisting the nominations and picking the winners. However,one category - Volunteer of the Year – Peoples’ Champion – was decided by a public vote withalmost 1,400 votes cast. 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: ​ 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 ​ ​ END For media enquires contact communications@fvaf.org.uk or 01594 822073.

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