The Open University

OU student and food poverty campaigner Rachel

Confronting food poverty, one meal at a time

8 March 2022

When 39-year-old Rachel Bresnahan from Stockport isn’t studying towards her Open University BA (Hons) Degree in Youth Work, she’s out tackling food poverty in her local community. Here, she takes a brief pause to share her story. “I love my community,” says Rachel. “I grew up here in Cherry Tree, Romiley. As the council estate […]

OU/BBC co-pro reveals the fiercely competitive world of elite figure skating

3 February 2022

A fascinating look into the competitive world of figure skating comes to our screens this weekend, on the newly re-launched BBC Three. Freeze: Skating on the Edge, is an Open University/BBC co-production that follows young athletes from across Britain over the course of a year, as they battle through skate-offs, qualifiers and international competitions to […]

Sharlene celebrates her OU degree with her family

‘I channelled my own childhood trauma into a career helping other families’

3 January 2022

Sharlene Hill grew up in a challenging environment. Many years later when she became a mum herself, she was determined to build a better future for her family. Sharlene developed an interest in adverse childhood experiences and family structures, which sent her off on a volunteering and training journey. Fast forward to now and she’s […]

OU Nursing graduate Kombe working in Clydebank

‘I started as a GP’s receptionist, now I’m an award-winning nurse’

8 December 2021

Before he was an award-winning nurse, Kombe Mwarandu was working as a receptionist at his local GP surgery. He shares how achieving his Adult Nursing degree from The Open University in Scotland has enabled him to achieve his career dreams and give back to his community. “Before joining The Open University I didn’t have a […]

Reducing the stigma of HIV this World AIDS Day

30 November 2021

World AIDS Day on 1 December is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV. Established in 1988, ‘rocking the red ribbon’ shows support for people living with HIV and commemorates those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Dr Tom Witney recently carried out research for The Open University to […]

OU launches package of free FCDO approved safeguarding leadership courses

19 November 2021

The Open University (OU) has launched the first module in a package of free Safeguarding Leadership Training courses, aimed at those working in the international development sector. The three courses will help those working in development and humanitarian organisations to better understand the causes of harm, abuse, and exploitation and how to effectively prevent and […]

OpenLearn win prestigious education award for its resilience during the pandemic

10 November 2021

OpenLearn, the free learning platform delivered by The Open University, has been named as a winner in the Open Education (OE) Global 2021 Open Education Awards for Excellence, due to its impressive response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The team won the Open Resilience Award which recognises the exemplary leadership and open educational practices implemented during […]

OU/BBC series sees from the perspective of those with dementia

4 October 2021

A new 2-part series co-produced by the BBC and The Open University will follow people with dementia and their families over two whole years, highlighting what it is truly like to live with the condition. Dementia & Us starts on BBC 2 on 5 October at 9pm, telling the story of dementia, by people living with […]

Sports coach and OU graduate Allana shares her advice for new students

The OU graduate and sports coach with a passion to give back

3 October 2021

“The Open University played a huge part in my success and I want to share that,” says sports coach and Open University graduate Allana Francis-Ashmeil. Known as ‘Coach Ace’ to her students, Allana launched her children’s coaching business while studying for her Sport, Fitness and Coaching degree. After struggling with dyslexia at school, she says […]

The OU is shortlisted for two awards in the “Oscars” of higher education

30 September 2021

The Open University has been shortlisted for two prestigious accolades in what is regarded as the “Oscars” of higher education – the Times Higher Education Awards (THE Awards) 2021. They include ‘University of the year’ and ‘Knowledge exchange/transfer initiative of the year’ which relates to one of the OU’s new free online continuing-professional-development courses. The […]

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