Voluntary and third sector

Committed to widening access, we develop learning partnerships with voluntary and third sector organisations across the length and breadth of Scotland.

Working with trusted partners, we can engage with people who may not otherwise consider themselves learners and offer ‘new learning in familiar spaces’.

We also help organisations to produce and use free online open education resources, by sharing our expertise in supported distance learning. 

Carers and carers' organisations

Working with carers and carers organisations, we have created free online resources, including: Carer Aware at University, developed with Carers Trust Scotland; Caring Counts developed with Carers Trust Scotland, the Scottish Young Carers Services Alliance and carers; and Caring Counts in the Workplace, developed with the Equal Partners in Care Project and Carers Scotland. 

Charities

Our work with charities includes developing the suite of free online courses Understanding Parkinson's for health and social care staff, in collaboration with Parkinson's UK. Also, in partnership with Dyslexia Scotland and Education Scotland, we have developed a suite of free online courses which support Dyslexia Scotland's Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit. 

Open Learning Champions for third sector organisations

Open Learning Champions bring the Open University’s free online open educational resources to communities across Scotland. The project equips a wide network of people – from third sector organisations to colleges and libraries – with the knowledge and skills to use the OU’s free learning resources to help learners in their communities.