We’ve been busy working with Wyldwood Arts, an organisation in the Forest of Dean who use creative arts to engage with communities, particularly through intergenerational and socially inclusive projects.

We led the launch and marketing of their new project designed to bring together local events, activities and attractions in one accessible hub. Working closely with community groups, tourism providers and event organisers, I developed a clear content strategy and marketing campaign combining targeted social media advertising, local press coverage and partnerships to build awareness and engagement. Within the first three months, the site achieved strong visitor numbers, became a go-to resource for residents and tourists alike and helped raise the profile of smaller local events that previously struggled to find an audience.

A much needed resource for the local community, the new site allows every business to add their events for free and aims to be a showcase for all the wonderful things happening across the Forest of Dean.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Wyldwood Arts undertook a period of community consultation funded by the Community Lottery Fund to find out how people were feeling about getting back out into the community, connecting with people again and getting involved in local events. Lots of useful information emerged from having interesting and varied conversations with communities across the Forest. One consistent discussion was about the lack of a centralised, online space where people could find out about the many varied events happening in the towns and villages across the Forest. Information was spread across lots of different websites and social media accounts, meaning people were often finding out about events too late. Plus businesses were struggling with costs and the high price of promoting their events on other websites was prohibitive – and so the idea behind a ‘What’s On’ for the Forest of Dean was born!

The work of Wyldwood Arts emphasises collaboration between older and younger generations, fostering a sense of community through storytelling, performance and visual arts. They partner with local organisations, schools and community groups, organising workshops, theatre performances and events that encourage participation across all ages. Their aim is to use art as a means to build connections, enhance wellbeing and address social issues.

Wyldwood Arts have developed the site in partnership with residents and community organisations across the Forest, in order to create a fun, vibrant and easily accessible online space which will serve as a platform for all kinds of events, performances, celebrations and opportunities for fun, connection and entertainment.

What’s On FOD is the first standalone ‘What’s On’ website for the Forest of Dean, allowing any community group or business to add their events easily and completely for free. It is hoped that the website will become a hub for everyone to find out what’s going on in the Forest.