Open University launches new Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership

04 Oct 2016 News

The Open University will next week open a new Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership to carry out research into charities and provide free online training in voluntary sector leadership.

The centre, part of the Open University Business School, will launch on 12 October. Charity sector workers will be able to apply for courses from the end of the month.

The centre was endowed with a gift from financier Anthony Nutt, and “will deliver free education and research to build capability within small charities”. The CVSL said it was a “pioneering project that aims to become a trusted source of expertise in voluntary sector leadership development”.

“By conducting and disseminating new research, and making available online leadership development learning resources, it will help voluntary organisations adapt to the multiple challenges they face,” the centre said in a statement.

Two new online courses will start this month.

Introducing leadership in voluntary organisations will involve approximately 15 hours of learning and will “provide an opportunity for people who work within voluntary organisations, as paid employees or staff, to develop energetic, practical and thoughtful leadership practice.”

The second course, Collaborative leadership in voluntary organisations will involve 24 hours of learning. It “helps learners to reflect on and develop collaborative leadership practices that will make a difference”.

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