The Open University Business School has launched its first free online course as part of the newly established Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership.

The first free module, also known as a Badged Open Course (BOC), is Introducing the Voluntary Sector. It is an eight-week course covering 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 course will be hosted on the OU’s free open educational resource website OpenLearn and is aimed at learners working (or aspiring to work) as paid members of staff or as volunteers in voluntary or community organisations.