The Open University has produced a new free online course called Introducing the Voluntary Sector.
It covers the context and features of voluntary and community organisations including: the structure and history of the UK voluntary sector; values and beliefs; funding issues; understanding stakeholders and beneficiaries; power and empowerment; and the role of volunteering.
The 8-week course involves three hours per week of study and will be particularly suitable for learners working (or aspiring to work) as paid members of staff or as volunteers in voluntary or community organisations.
It is available via OpenLearn (link below).
A second course, Working in the Voluntary Sector, will be available later this year.
♦ The Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership has been set up at the Open University to provide free leadership courses, other resources, and new research to people in the sector. A launch event for the new Centre will be held in October 2016.
