I can’t believe I have been here for 4 weeks now and that the Olympics start in 8 days! It has gone so quick!

This week I went to the Forbidden City near Tiananmen Square. It covers a vast area, with so much to see. It was home for almost five centuries for the Emperors within the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Outside the Forbidden City is Tiananmen Square, there is a large flower show based on the Beijing 2008 Olympics, which is being put on display just a week before the Games.

My training is based at the Workers’ Indoor Stadium, where the boxing is held. I am so excited to be there within the journalists and the athletes. Being part of the Games is such an exciting time in my life at the moment and it’s too hard to describe in words, but I know for sure that the atmosphere here will be fantastic. A group of us are hoping to go to the Bird’s Nest to witness the Opening Ceremony on the 8^th August. It should be a night to remember!

Hello there!

Wow, I can’t believe I have been here for nearly three weeks in Beijing and what a journey it has been so far.
When I first arrived, it was such a culture shock with the weather being humid and the language barrier being so wide. But I found that I have settled in really quickly with the help of everyone I have meant here is so friendly.

Beijing has so much to offer and with the Olympics coming up, it has worked so hard to accomodate for everyone’s needs. The organisation that David and I are working for over the Olympics, BOCOG gave us a three day tour, which included the Great Wall, Ming Tombs and the Summer Palace. It has been such a great experience so far and if ever have the chance to come to Beijing, you really must visit these places. There is so much history to cover and the culture is so intriging. One of the other things you must do of course is have the famous Peking Duck. Definitely a highlight for me so far!

This week I have started my training at the Workers’ Indoor Stadium, where I will be covering the Boxing.

Hello everyone,

Its been just over two weeks since our arrival in Beijing and there are a few words to describe what I’ve seen so far immense, extraordinary, incredible, impressive and large.

I know it sounds like I am saying it just for the sake of saying it but Beijing is constantly, even in the two weeks I have been here.

For example I arrived at my working venue the Workers Stadium where I will cover Olympic football and in the first week there was still construction work being carried out. A week later and the 64,000 capacity venue looks completely different esecially the interior where our offices are.

Although there is still time before the games start it is amazing to see how a major capital city is still with only 21 days before the Olympics start putting the final touches into its venues. Hopefully this won’t happen in 2012.

However I have also visited the “Birdsnest” a 90,000 capacity venue and the watercube and these works of architectural art will live with Beijing for a very long time.

Also the Beijing Olympic Organising Commitee for the Games (BOCOG) arranged a few volunteer training days for us before our shifts actually start at our respective venues. These sessions were organised for all international volunteers which was in total 280 students consisting of Americans, Australians and our 24 Brits.

The one thing that is standing out in my mind since I have been here and have witnessed Beijing before the games is the international significance the Olympics brings to a country and the effort a host nation has to put in not only in hosting the games themselves but construction, redevelopment, environmental plans and a plan for the future after the games have finished.

Also with respect to us volunteers BOCOG have treated us very well taking us on tours to the Summer Palace, Ming Tombs and most importantly the Great Wall. I have to admit I have never seen such panoramic views and if anyone gets the opportunity China is well worth the trip.

One final wonder that everyone should see and taste if they do make the trip to this side of the globe is the famous Beijing Duck. I have been here, as I’ve said just over two weeks and have had the pleasure of it on four seperate occassions with constantly improving chopstick skillsand each time it keeps on getting better.

Anyway Its off to work in the morning and my first full day of work I will keep you posted and will upload photos of the Great Wall, Beijing duck and another sneaky slice of poultry I tried. Wild Pigeon!

See you soon

This weekend I paid a visit to two inspirational play settings in London’s Borough of Haringey.

The first stop of the day was at Markfield Adventure Playground. Markfield promotes the rights, independence, choice and inclusion for disabled people and their families. The ‘drop in’ session runs on the second Saturday of every month during term time and gives children, and their families, the opportunity to play and explore the adventure playground that has been specially designed with the needs of disabled children in mind.

I was talking to one mother who explained how much Markfield made her feel at ease, she knew she wouldn’t have to explain her child’s special needs or get disapproving looks from other people who just simply did not understand.

As well as the adventure playground structure and slide, both of which are accessible to wheelchair users, there’s a music area, swings, tunnels, an under fives’ area and a den for children to explore and discover.

The second visit of the day was to Somerford Grove Community Project and Adventure Playground. Somerford Grove is an open-access play setting for local children and young people aged 5-15yrs. The Adventure Playground is like a play retreat for inner-city children, offering respite from their high-density urban surroundings. Local children were the experts when it came to creating the playground and were consulted at all stages of its development – and what a fantastic job they’d done!

Both Markfield and Somerford Grove are fine examples of how play not only has a fundamental role in a child’s development and social interaction, but also how it makes a valuable contribution to the local communities. They recognise the importance of play and, above all, that play should centre on the child’s needs- after all, they are the experts.

To find out more about the Markfield project visit: www.markfield.org.uk

For more information about Somerford Grove adventure playground visit: www.haringey-play.org.uk/SomerfordGrove/SGHomepage.htm

As Olympic fever reaches boiling point in the lead up to the opening ceremony on 4 August, thousands of foreign journalists from every spot on the globe will provide news coverage for the sporting event of the year. Joining the professionals will be a team of 25 journalism students from Sheffield Hallam University.

After a gruelling selection process out of 200 candidates, the final 24 students were hand picked by the Olympic Committee. These students will be heading to Beijing in early July to report on the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the Olympic News Service (ONS). SkillsActive has engaged with two of the 24 students, David Stevenson and Charlotte Abbott, and they will be writing a weekly blog about their experiences as they live and breathe the Olympic spirit.

Arguably the greatest sporting event on the world stage, this years Olympic and Paralympic Games will continue to unite the world through the power of sport, and SkillsActive invites you to a front row seat and join David and Charlotte on a virtual journey to the other side of the world.

Watch this space as they start blogging here over the next few weeks.