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Third sector and volunteers

Over 50 years ago, the Open University was established as a ‘university of the air’ – a place where people could work towards a degree having missed out earlier in life. At the heart of the OU’s identity is its social mission to open education and learning up to more and more people across Wales.

It’s because of this mission that we have a great relationship with charities and voluntary organisations in Wales, alongside the bodies that represent them. Through our work with the third sector, we’ve been able to create more routes into education for people who may not have thought it possible, regardless of their age, background or disability.

How we can work together

There are several ways we can work with charities in Wales including

  • developing routes into formal study with the OU for your staff, volunteers and the people you support
  • improving skills through our free online learning platform OpenLearn. (Take a look at our OpenLearn champions programme)
  • collaborating on research projects
  • talking to your stakeholders about the OU’s work at events and conferences
  • setting up a work placement at your organisation for one of our students.

If you work or volunteer at a third sector organisation in Wales, get in touch to see how we can work with you.

To discuss how you or your organisation can work with us, email wales-partnerships@open.ac.uk