Blogs from Västra Götaland County, Sweden, Europe - page 5

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Europe » Sweden » Västra Götaland County » Gothenburg October 9th 2015

We can't believe its the final day of the programme where has this week gone??? The group seem to have mixed feelings as we know it's coming to an end and of course a part of us is ready to get back to our loved ones but you can easily get comfortable in this city and the time has flown by. The 2 week period is about right as I am now running out of clean clothes - just as well my favourite movie is Commando!!! Our final formal meeting of the programme took us to the Vasttrafik headquarters in the Folkkungagatan building a 10 minute walk from our hotel. Vassttrafik is responsible for the public transport system in Vastra Gotaland and we were fortunate enough to be able to meet Roger Vahnberg the Vice President ... read more
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Europe » Sweden » Västra Götaland County » Gothenburg October 8th 2015

Our penultimate day of the programme and Robin has been flexing his influence again today by arranging a field visit to the new Angered Hospital where they work with reaching out to marginalized groups in order to provide health care for all citizens. We were very fortunate to be able to join an information session arranged for EuroHealthNet, a non profit partnership of organisations, agencies and statutory bodies working to contribute to a healthier Europe by promoting health and health equality between and within European countries. The hospital is literally brand new and only opened its doors at the beginning of last month and on arrival we could appreciate this as it was a modern build, some of the group saying it reminded them of the New College building in Durham. We started to appreciate how ... read more
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Europe » Sweden » Västra Götaland County » Gothenburg October 7th 2015

Its crazy to think we are now mid way through the final week and as the group suspected the time seems to be flying by but as every day has been so diverse we are absorbing so much information I think by the end of this week we may be at full capacity but the knowledge we have gained throughout the programme is amazing. As the responsible adult (there is a first time for everything) I was given the task of getting us to Lillhagsparken Sodra for our morning session and Robin had left me clear instructions on which bus to take and the correct stop to reach our venue - unfortunately I failed miserably and we ended up getting off a stop too early meaning we had a 10min walk to final meet Robin. I ... read more
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Europe » Sweden » Västra Götaland County » Gothenburg October 6th 2015

We had a cancellation in the programme today and as I have such a caring employer they have provided me with all the tools I need to continue working from here I have taken the opportunity to catch up on things at home - a great example of remote working in full effect. So our apprentices have taken the time to provide their feedback on the programme so far: “The first week in Sweden has been fantastic, seen and done some amazing things! Couldn’t be any more grateful for this brilliant opportunity I have been given. Everything we have done has been so interesting I have many highlights through the trip but the science museum is my favourite activity we have done as a group, I have never see anything like it! I had a great ... read more
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Europe » Sweden » Västra Götaland County » Gothenburg October 5th 2015

The morning schedule took us back to the Rosenlundsplatsen building where we were based for a session last week and we made our way there with ease, I wouldn't exactly say it was early but even at 9am the streets seemed very quiet maybe in this area they like to ease into the week. One of the officers we were planning to see, Rasoul Nejadmehr, must have spotted us on his way in - yes we still do stand out in numbers I suppose, and escorted us into the building. Rasoul based with the Cultural Affairs team was quickly joined by his manager Annika Stromberg to talk to us about the region's work with culture and about broadening the participation in cultural activities. I initially thought the focus would be on the multi cultural society in ... read more
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Europe » Sweden » Västra Götaland County » Gothenburg October 4th 2015

Its Sunday and a free day for the group so a few of us decided to take the opportunity to visit the Gamla Ullevi football stadium home to IFK Gothenburg along with 3 other teams - GAIS, Orgryte IS and the Sweden womens national football team. Looking into the tickets it was interesting to discover they have a standing area and a dedicated singing area where you are expected to make noise and encourage the team at all times - something I know they have discussed in the English Premier League. There were not many tickets left when we arrived and had the choice of the standing area or a seated area for more general support, we decided on the seats and were really pleased we did more on that later on. The stadium itself holds ... read more
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Europe » Sweden » Västra Götaland County » Gothenburg October 3rd 2015

After a well deserved lie in for the whole group after a busy week the only activity we had planned today as a group was a visit to the Universeum which is the Nordic region's largest Science Centre. I had left the group quite early last night following the meal with our host Robin as apparently the social scene differs depending on age and someone 30+ would not normally head to where the younger crowd continue their night - the cheek of it I can quickly go off this country!! As I couldn't find a bingo hall nearby I retired for the night which was fine by me as I need as much beauty sleep as possible. On meeting around lunchtime it seems the group certainly had a good night and Robin seems to enjoy the ... read more
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Europe » Sweden » Västra Götaland County » Gothenburg October 2nd 2015

Its crazy to think we have now completed the 1st week of the programme, the whole group agree it has flown over but thats a good indication that everyone is enjoying it lets hope this time next week I don't have some unhappy young people who don't want to leave. We had our earliest start of the week (I can hear the cheers from my colleagues) and it was evident by the group looking a little more tired than normal but it has been a busy week. The reason for the early start was that Robin had arranged for us to visit the urban development building Alvrummet before it opens to the general public and as always we were welcomed with a friendly face and had the whole building to ourselves. The Alvrummet is dedicated to ... read more
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Europe » Sweden » Västra Götaland County » Gothenburg October 1st 2015

We had a busy day ahead and had planned to met Robin at a different location on the other side of the City, he had drawn a basic map for me so the pressure was on to navigate the group to our rendezvous point - even I was surprised how easy we found it but I am still troubled by the direction of traffic and keep looking the UK way first thinking the coast is clear just as a tram speeds passed over the other shoulder or the ringing of a bell on a bike has my scrambling for safety. This morning we met with Robert Sinclair, Senior Medical Advisor for Vastra Gotaland to discuss Healthcare in the area. I asked Robin if Robert was English as its the most English sounding name on the programme ... read more
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Europe » Sweden » Västra Götaland County » Gothenburg September 30th 2015

Think our luck with the weather may be running out as the temperature has certainly dropped and we havent seen the sun yet today but its still pleasant enough for early autumn. Our morning session was due to be with Linn Bertsson based with the Department of Regional Development to discuss the region's strategy for growth and development entitled Vastra Gotaland 2020 but unfortunately Linn is unwell and was unable to make the session. I assume it may have been the build up to meeting representatives from Durham County Council and the excitement got too much but hope Linn gets well soon. Thankfully Robin was able to give us some information around the project and I have asked if Linn can forward us further info when she returns to work. Vastra Gotaland 2020 is the strategy ... read more
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