WELS news

With limited local opportunities to train as a nurse available on the Isle of Wight, the IOW NHS Trust decided to grow its nursing workforce locally by partnering with the OU to provide Nursing Associate and Registered Nurse Degree apprenticeships. 

On 10 October 2022, the Centre for the Study of Global Development (CSGD) held its first cross-hub seminar event to mark World Mental Health Day, where three guest speakers shared their research that aims to support the mental wellbeing of distinct groups across the life course. The presenters spoke to the CSGD’s core belief of the importance of tackling societal challenges through an interdisciplinary lens, and that by working across disciplines we can enhance understanding and create more inclusive and robust solutions.

A student wellbeing group that sees staff and students work in partnership has been named one of the winners at the 2022 WELS Teaching Excellence Awards.

A team of researchers including academics at WELS and Professor Louise Wallace are behind a project which has received £141,000 in extra funding from The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Professor Felicity Astin joins the OU’s School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care as Professor of Nursing. She looks forward to providing research mentorship, strengthening OU links to partners and contributing to OU nursing programs.

Every year the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) recognises students and projects that have gone above and beyond what is expected of them.  The WELS Tutor Awards provided students with the opportunity to recognise the dedication and skill of their tutors. Overall, ten tutors received a WELS Tutor award, and a further eleven were highly commended.

Every year, the OU’s Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) recognises students for their achievements through the WELS Student Awards. This year another nine talented students received awards in two categories, in a recent virtual ceremony.

The winners of this year’s WELS Student, Tutor and Teaching Excellence Awards were announced at the virtual WELS Teaching Excellence Day. In total, 33 awards were made across the three categories.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plays an important part in staff retention and development. This article explains how flexible learning with The Open University can help retain, develop and empower school and Multi-Academy Trust staff.

Anna Pritchard is an Open University Practice Tutor on the social work module K315: Critical social work practice. Anna started tutoring her Practice Tutor role with the OU in February 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. In her below blog, ‘Same Ocean, different boats: A return to face-to-face teaching’, Anna shares her first face-to-face tutorial experience.