THE Forest Voluntary Action Forum has been awarded a £70,000 grant to expand the CANDI drop-in youth cafe in Cinderford’s Market Street to embrace the whole community.

The forum currently works out of an office in the Belle Vue Centre in Cinderford but will now have a public face.

The group chairman Cllr Bob Rhodes said the money comes from the Tudor Trust charity.

“£60,000 will cover staff wages for two years and the remaining £10,000 will go towards the refurbishment of the Market Street CANDI premises,” he said.

“CANDI will carry on working as normal in the evenings.”

Forum manager Chris Brown added: “If anyone with practical skills can help us we would be delighted to hear from them.”

Forest Voluntary Action Forum supports and co-ordinates volunteer work throughout the Forest of Dean.

For more information, phone 01594 822073.