The principles of co-development and the creation of dynamic partnerships form the deep roots from which our organisation grows. 

We know that there are many people passionate about making change in our district. Our mission is to create a multi-agency group who share the same ambition, passion, and drive for improving the physical and social fabric of local areas that face multiple challenges, both old and new. By starting local, engaging with everyone who has a stake in a place, empowering people to make change and giving them the right tools, we can help address as many issues as possible with each investment

We know that we are still facing economic challenge, unemployment and low aspirations as we have done for many years in this district. We also have new challenges, such as climate change, resource scarcity and unprecedented social, economic and health challenges resulting from the Covid Pandemic. All of these affect those who already have the least the most, and we are taking practical steps and building partnerships to change places and change lives 

Achieving results through people – we work with our partners in a way which empowers them and helps them achieve their objectives. Our ambition is to become a significant, radical force for driving change in attitudes, behaviours, places and prospects in the Forest of Dean. Our work is carried out through the guidance principle of LOVE

LEGACY

Our concept is one that is daring, creative and bold. We have developed a model that has its foundations in joined-up working and shared vision and values. We have already established a large and growing network of people, professionals and organisations who want to be a part of living and working together. 

OUR FOREST

We love where we live. The Forest of Dean is a unique landscape, rich in diversity and full of heritage. We work with our communities to co-create services and support that is accessible, timely and relevant, so that both people and landscapes can thrive together. 

VALUE

We value people, places and spaces. Our mission is to raise the aspirations of those living in our communities and help cultivate respect for the people, land and heritage which form part of our identity in the Forest of Dean. We give people the support and space needed to explore and discover their own values, meaning and purpose so that they may lead truly fulfilling lives

ENGAGED

Our ethos is all about being connected. Humans are profoundly social beings, with a deep need for connection and belonging. We provide people with the permission, skills and support to live in a connected way. By leading the way, our hope is that our communities will become excited for establishing connections and togetherness, with the land, with our heritage, with industry and with each other….

We passionately believe that everyone in the Forest of Dean should have access to health and wellbeing opportunities, support and services that meets their needs, and is relevant, accessible, and timely. Our ambition is to create a wellbeing hub that provides a central place for anyone in our community to access a range of services that helps our community to stay safe and well, improves health and wellbeing and lead truly fulfilling lives. From traditional counselling and peer mentoring to holistic therapies with proven benefits to health and wellbeing, our offer is for accessible health and wellbeing services, both delivered in partnership from our hub and out in the community. 

We fund hundreds of local community projects across the district, helping people to help themselves, whether it’s creating spaces for connection and wellbeing, tackling hunger or inequality or overcoming the mental health challenges our communities face. We are passionate about creating a future where:

  • Every neighbourhood is vibrant and green. 
  • Every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny. 
  • No-one is held back by their background or circumstances.
  • Enhancing health and wellbeing for our residents and promoting active and healthy lifestyles
  • Connecting health and leisure
  • Supporting the visitor economy and local employment & increasing tourism
  • Raising educational standards and improving employment skills
  • Encouraging and developing the voice of our local young people
  • Promoting inclusive and resilient communities
  • Increasing and improving education, health and leisure services facilities
  • Increasing the collaboration between colleges, schools and businesses to raise aspirations, progression routes and educational achievement
  • Providing opportunities for health and wellbeing, and for work, research and learning
  • Becoming a centre of excellence and the place to come to for signposting, help and support
  • Providing a safe and welcoming space for local people
  • Raising levels of engagement with local young people and the wider community
  • Raising the aspirations of our local community
  • With mental health illness on the rise and the impact it can have on health care and the economy, there is increasing pressure on key policy makers to ensure there are measures in place for improving wellbeing. Important findings are that wellbeing:
  • adds years to life and improves recovery from illness
  • is associated with positive health behaviours in adults and children
  • is associated with broader positive results
  • influences the wellbeing and mental health of those close to us
  • affects decisions about local services
  • may ultimately reduce the healthcare burden
  • We are experienced in building partnerships to address these challenges in three ways.
  • We create better places - Making communities greener, safer, and healthier by enabling people to work together to bring about change in their local area.
  • We improve people’s prospects - Increasing the confidence, skills, wellbeing and employability of those struggling in education or out of work.
  • We promote greener choices - Helping people and businesses reduce their environmental impact, cut waste save money and live more healthily.
  • We will invest in the places and people that need us most – prioritising our resources to bring about lasting change by building skills and capacity within the local communities where we can make most difference.
  • We will work with local leaders and listen to local voices – ensuring our work is shaped by those it is designed to benefit and adds value to the assets that exist in local areas.
  • We will grow a culture of equity and inclusion – operating transparently and with integrity and seeking out a diversity of viewpoints, both in the work we do and the people we employ.
  • We will be committed to collaboration – forging strong partnerships, contributing to a thriving community sector and helping others lead where this will achieve greater impact.
  • We will act as environmental exemplars – championing practical action to combat the climate and nature emergency and measuring and reducing our own environmental impact.

OUR ORGANISATION

Our ambition is to build our visibility, our reputation and our resource base so that we can be a significant, radical force for driving change in attitudes, behaviours, places and prospects in the local communities that we serve.