Projects

Doug Gowan and learner
Doug Gowan, Chief Executive of OLP and learner

OLP has lead the way on a range of projects. Listed here are a number of projects currently underway and also completed.




Programmes for Health Care Assistants
OLP is now engaged in programmes to develop elearning support for Health Care Assistants, who number almost a quarter of a million staff in the NHS and related employers. The programmes are being run in conjunction with the Department of Health's Widening Participation in Learning Strategy Unit, and the public sector trade union Unison.
The 5 Trusts and hospitals involved so far are:

North Cheshire Trust
5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
North West London Hospitals
Richmond and Twickenham PCT


UNISON Widening Participation in Learning Project
This project is funded through the Union Learning Fund and is a collaborative project with management and health service trade unions within 3 Hospital Trusts and connected PCTs: The West Essex Health Economy, the Hillingdon Hospital in West London and The Homerton Hospital in East London.

It will run from May 2007 to March 2008. The aim of the project is to identify educational opportunities from Entry Level to Level 4 and progression pathways linked to the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework and the Sector Skills Agreement, for staff in pay bands 1-4. Developing an e-learning strategy and delivering ITQs to health records staff is an integral part of the project. The project also aims to strengthen union organisation and a culture of learning through the development of union learning reps.

Bengali computer class at the Mitalee centre
Peter Lyons from the OLP has been working at the centre, teaching basic ICT and helping with their IT network. The centre’s old computers have been replaced with new ones brought out of Neighbourhood Learning for Deprived Communities (NLDC) money.

learners at Mitalee centre The learning materials were translated into Bengali and Peter worked with a mother tongue tutor. This course has run every Tuesday morning for ten weeks. The tutor’s fee, travel cards and child care expenses for the learners were met by a grant from the Esmee Fairburn Trust. All learners have received information, advice and guidance from Haringey Adult Learning Services on their next learning steps. Another course is being planned for the spring based upon the British Citizenship test. For further information contact Peter Lyons