My work here in Beijing is now at an end, as the Paralympics prepares for the closing ceremony but for me it has started what could hopefully be a bright future.

I have only one regret about these games in Beijing and that is that they have finally ended but there is no time to waste on matters that can’t be changed. For me it is now time to fully focus on the future.

Having the opportunity to work here as a volunteer is one thing in my life I will never regret. I have so many happy memories and have seen some fascinating sports, world records, Olympic records as well as Paralympian being set and broken.

One thing I will say is that volunteers are a key factor to the Olympics running as well as they do so hopefully in London many more people will get the same or a similar opportunity as I have.

My final work shift was last night and I watched world records come and go, something a year ago I thought would never happen, it is amazing what life can throw at you.

Also my last interview was with South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius aka the “Blade runner” who for the final race of the evening smashed the World record in the men’s 400m. What a way to finish my Paralympic experience.

From here though I have one day to pack and prepare for my long journey back to England. Whilst I have been here I feel I have matured, grown as a person learnt many lessons and improved in my journalistic capacity.

Don’t get me wrong I have also had great fun, and since I have made so many Aussie friends you learn to be slightly more out going and you constantly have fun whether it be at work or on the social side of life.

I am honoured to have been at these games, it has been a dream come true, I hope to be at 2012 for London but you never know what is round the corner, all I can say is if your young enthusiastic and love sport- get yourself to the games. It truly can be life changing!

Finally I am happy after 3 months to be going home to be reunited with my family and friends. I have to also say how happy I was writing this blog for SkillsActive, I hope in some way I have helped some of you learn more about being an Olympic volunteer and tracing some of my thoughts and feelings on the subject.

Remember this if you only remember one thing:

“Volunteers represent the Olympic Spirit”

Jacques Rogge, Chairman of the International Olympic Committee

On this final note I will say goodbye and thankyou.

Hi everyone,

Well it is now official we have been here in Beijing for exactly one month. So I only have another seven weeks left in the Chinese capital till I am back in sunny Sheffield.

But before my return I have to get through the Olympics and in my case the Paralympics as well.

In the time between my last blog and this new edition I have been working monday to friday nine till four for the last two weeks unless there has been a security check at my work venue the Workers Stadium.

While at work we have been continuing Olympic News Service (ONS) training on interviewing techniques when talking with athletes. Also we have been using the computer systems in the venue to be adept at typing our reports both pre and post match as well as our flash quotes which we will get during press conferences and mixed zone interviews.

However with the Olympics only a week away, I have this weekend off so my body can prepare for the long three week endurance task it is about to undergo.

But it isn’t all work and no play here in Beijing. At the weekends I have made trips to the Forbidden City, where the former Chinese Emperors resided.

In fact the reason it was called the “Forbidden City” is because if anyone trespassed they were executed, this place was only for the royal family but it is now open to the public. My advice though is that it is so big, go early in the morning and spend a full day there if you want to see most of it.

I have also visited the Chinese Pearl Market and haggled with the shop owners, which is a lot of fun. So now I have all my gifts bought and ready to bring home for my parents wedding anniversary.

But before I celebrate their anniversary I plan on celebrating my anniversary with Beijing with my colleagues.

My next blog will be uploaded very shortly so keep a look out for it, as I will be talking about tightening security in preparation for the Games.

Talk to you soon…..

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

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.