An opportunity to find out how The Open University can work with your organisation

• Does your organisation work with adult learners living in Central or North Manchester in any of the following wards: Higher Blackley; Charlestown; Gorton North; Gorton South; Moston; Harpurhey; Hulme; Moss Side; Longsight?
• Would you like to find out how The Open University (OU) can work with you to support staff, volunteers and learners progress onto OU courses?

The Learning, Skills and Employment Network and Manchester Community Central are hosting a workshop with The OU which will look at opportunities for voluntary and community sector learning organisations to be involved with the OU’s Community Partnerships Programme.

Working with the OU has potential to meet your organisational objectives around education, employability and creating learning cultures in communities. The OU also offers a wide range of relevant courses for staff and volunteers – from 10 week introductory courses at level 4 through to certificates, diplomas, and degrees. By working with the OU you can become recognised as an OU Community Partner Organisation.

The Open University offers:

• A unique supported open learning model, which offers a flexible way to study at home or work with lots of support from tutors and other students. Additional support in local communities can be provided by the community partnerships team
• A wide range of courses starting at level 4, including the Openings programme of 20 week courses which is an ideal entry point for people new to study at this level who need to improve their study skills
• No entry requirement for most courses – although we would recommend that students are working at Level 2 English to successfully complete courses
• Financial support to students on benefits and low incomes, meaning that many people can study at university level for free instead of building up debts

Manchester Community Central is the support service for Manchester’s community and voluntary sector. As well as offering our own services we work to bring the together the resources, skills, ideas and services of other organisations to ensure the local sector gets the support it needs.

For further information about Manchester Community Central please contact:
Cheryl McAlister, Training Co-ordinator, Manchester Community Central
phone: 0333 321 3021, email: cheryl@mcrcommunitycentral.org

For further information about LSEN please contact:
Walt Crowson, Co-ordinator
phone: 07534 965 605, email: walt.crowson@lsen.org.uk

For further information about the OU please contact:
Sarah Wilkinson, Community Partnership Manager, The Open University in the North West phone (0161) 955 6933, email s.wilkinson@open.ac.uk