May's newsletter for the 2012 Games

Chair's Introduction

As the UK edges towards the summer we are gearing up for a busy few months across the West Midlands, filled with activities and events inspired by London 2012.

 

We will shortly be launching one of our major cultural programmes, Community Games, which uses the inspiration of London 2012 to create cultural and sporting celebrations organised by communities in streets, towns and city suburbs.  More information will be available on our website at the end of this month.

 

Our cultural programme is already making a significant contribution to our region with over 220,000 people having already participated in a range of cultural activities and programmes generating £7.5 million worth of economic activity within the region. You can read more about the impact of this programme in the article below.

 

June sees a focus on volunteering with National Volunteer's Week, an annual event celebrating the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. The West Midlands is already committed to raising the profile of the dedicated volunteers we have in our region as a way of inspiring more people to volunteer in their local communities now.

 

As you will see on the article below, Seb Coe visited Stoke and Staffordshire last month to launch our volunteering campaign, Volunteers- We Need You!, which is supported by a comprehensive volunteering microsite www.wmfor2012.com/volunteering.  This is a fantastic resource for our region and I hope that over the next few years it plays a key role in increasing the number of people volunteering in the West Midlands.  If you are looking for volunteers and wish to add your event to this resource please click here.

 

July will mark two years to go until the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games.  This countdown will be celebrated nationally though the annual London 2012 Open Weekend festivities. The West Midlands already has over a dozen activities registered as Open Weekend events, however we want to give as many people as possible across the region the opportunity to participate in these celebrations.  If you are interested in staging an Open Weekend event please click here for further information.

 

In addition to these stories this newsletter also outlines opportunities surrounding business, education and sport. Please visit our website to find out more about these stories and further examples of how the West Midlands is engaging and benefiting from London 2012.

 

Dave Moorcroft
Chair, West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games. 

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Volunteers - We Need YOU! Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games joined the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games earlier this month to launch, and support, a major new region-wide volunteering initiative, inspired by the London 2012 Games. Read more

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London 2012 challenges UK to set a new personal best as Open Weekend returns

For the 3rd year running, sporting, arts and culture organisations to open up opportunities for everyone across the UK to try something new or take their interest to the next level. Registration for events is now open - with new 'challenge' theme for 2010. Read more

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West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012 - An evaluation of impact (2008 - 2010) The West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012 has attracted a total audience of just under a quarter of a million people (220,000), according to a report launched by the West Midlands Cultural Observatory in April 2010. That's around two and a half Wembley Stadiums full of people! Read more

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Stoke-on-Trent to Host Street Dance Championships

High school students across Stoke-on-Trent are being encouraged to put their best foot forward and get involved in the first ever National Street Dance Competition - with the hope they could make the finals, which will take place in the city later this year. Read more

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Park Hill primary school Get Set for London 2012 A Coventry school has grabbed the Olympic baton with both hands after becoming the first in the region to join a national 2012-inspired education network. Read more

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Ultimate mountain bike trail launched in Staffordshire The West Midlands ultimate mountain bike trail - The 'Monkey Trail', was unveiled at the Forestry Commission's Cannock Forest near Rugeley on Saturday 17 April 2010. Read more

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Business updates

A new series of free Procurement workshops have just been published which run from now until early next year.  The workshops, which are extremely popular, equip businesses across the West Midlands with the knowledge and skills to tender for contracts awarded by London 2012 and other public sector organisations.  Click here to find a workshop near you.

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Dates for your diary

• 23 May - Coventry Half Marathon
• 30 May - 2010k Road Race, Stoke-on-Trent
• 1-7 June - National Volunteer's Week
• 23 - 25 July- London 2012 Open Weekend

 

Chris Kirkland
Staffordshire Co-ordinator for 2012 Games
Staffordshire County Council
T: 01785 854595
E: chris.kirkland@staffordshire.gov.uk