Paralympic Festival 2012 Confirmed Following the great success of the festival in June, with attendance of around 600 people, we are holding the Paralympic Festival again on Wednesday 20 June 2012 at Sutton Arena Leisure Centre. The aim of the event is to help build partnerships within the community for people with severe and multiple learning difficulties and disabilities. The event is organised by Orchard Hill College, Carshalton College, Sutton Inclusion Centre, MENCAP, SCOLA, Community Nurses and the London Borough of Sutton through sponsorship and donations. The aim is to help the community rather than making a profit. There will be a range of sporting activities for people of all abilities to take part in. On site there will also be Police Community Support Officers, nurses and healthy living workshops, art workshops, Radio Jackie and much more and all for FREE.

2012 Young Ambassador Conference On Wednesday 12 October, Carshalton College joined local schools at the 2012 Ambassador Conference organised by the London Borough of Sutton. Working in borough groups students and staff shared ideas on how to get young people involved in Olympic activities. Bob Wells, who competed in the 1984 Olympics and won a Bronze medal and recently competed a Plumbing Course at the College, answered questions and passed his medal around.

Next 9 Months Over the next 9 months we are encouraging students and staff to get involved with the build up to the 2012 Games and as part of our Get Set Network Membership show our commitment to their values of friendship, excellence, respect, inspiration, courage, determination & equality.

Working with the Student Support Centre we are looking for our Be A Champion Ambassador and promoting the opportunity to work at the Games. We have contacted 120 local sport clubs about volunteering opportunities for our students and we will be recommending 39 learners for the Bridging the Gap scheme to work in security roles at the Games. Art & Design students are busy working on Olympic focused projects and Beauty students will be inviting customers in for massages in the new year. Other ideas include an Olympic Themed night in Nightingales, sports day and fundraising activities.

Look out for the latest Olympic News on our website www.carshalton.ac.uk Based on information supplied by Maxine Alexander.