3 Conclusion This course has introduced a series of ideas that relate to campaigning and how organisations can adapt their outlook in order to achieve their campaigning goals.
Diverse perspectives on health and illness
Health, and the health of others, are concerns that impact us all. This album explores notions of health and happiness in relation to the lifestyles people lead and the services and support available to them. The range of information is eclectic and illuminating, offering a rare insight into societal niches from the participants themselves. From health workers to the homeless, this series of interviews and discussions emphasises the relationship between how people live their lives and the decisi
The law and social work in Scotland
This album tackles the complex relationships social workers experience in the wide spectrum of their work, from those with families affected by social deprivation to those with judges, lawyers and other members of the legal system. The tracks analyse the role of the family in Scottish life in relation to the many voluntary bodies that exist to assist and inform them, and the legal obligations of social workers. Participants from single mothers to solicitors presented their perspectives in a ser
Diabetes care
At least 171 million people worldwide have diabetes, and this figure is set to double by 2030. This chronic condition, which occurs when the body cannot produce or effectively use the insulin it needs, can be the cause of many serious health complications leading, amongst other problems, to blindness, foot ulcers and kidney failures. This album is a must-watch for diabetes sufferers and medical staff training to work with diabetes patients. Six video tracks introduce various aspects of a patient
Communication in health and social care
Whether working with older people, vulnerable children or patients suffering ill health or disability, care providers' ability to communicate is not only useful, but essential. This album provides an invaluable insight into all aspects of communication, with both colleagues and service users. It shows how the difficulties of operating effectively in stressful situations can be overcome and even used as a learning and developmental experience. With contributions from carers and service users, thi
Social care, social work and the law
The law and aspects of the legal system have a massive impact on the lives of social workers, from defining policy and procedure to the actual process of day-to-day working. This album presents an encompassing and engrossing look at the interaction between legal and social teams, and how different professions and groups interact to ensure equality and representation for all members of society. Not only do these discussions offer an insight into the justification and implementation of policy, the
Riding the Good Health Train
In rural South Africa there are thousands of people who receive little or no medical care. So what can be done for them? One answer is Phelophepa, the Good Health Train, which makes a circuit of the country every two years. This album joins the team of doctors, medical students and health workers on the train as they visit the town of Taba Nchu. In the weeks before Phelophepa arrives, community activists try to raise public awareness so that as many people as possible are able to benefit. And be
Diverse Perspectives on Mental Health
What causes mental distress and what can be done about it? What factors in the external environment affect mental health? This album examines the ways in which social, environmental, economic and political factors shape and constrain our understandings and experiences of mental health and distress. It explores the wide range of diverse and frequently competing perspectives that characterise the world of mental health and looks at the impact of these perspectives on mental health practice and ser
Introducing professional practice
This series of tracks looks at several aspects of health work including child protection services, hospitals and mental health providers with an aim to explaining everyday practices and ideas for the future. Material is taken from The Open University course K114 Introducing professional practice. The OpenLearn team.
First published on Tue, 13 Apr 2
Mental Health: Lennox Castle
What was it like living and working in the largest mental deficiency hospital in Britain? And what changes led to its relatively recent closure? In it's heyday in the 1970s, Lennox Castle Hospital in Scotland housed over 1600 patients in purpose built multi-occupancy villas, and most staff lived on site or in nearby Lennoxtown. Oral historian Howard Mitchell started his working life there, as a member of the hospital's nursing staff. In the tracks on this album, he looks back at the history of
Living with Disability
How does living with disability and chronic illness impact on a person's quality of life? What are the consequences of physical limitations and treatment regimes? The tracks on his album explore real-life case studies in a variety of care environments. From domestic homes to residential and hospital settings, we explore physical, social and psychological impacts and investigate the extent to which care environments are enabling or disabling. The album also contains a fictional case study which
Introduction to sport, fitness and management
This series of tracks looks at Health and Fitness centres and how they are run as well as providing an insight into the training of future elite athletes in Britain. Material is taken from The Open University course E112 Introduction to sport, fitness and management. The OpenLearn team.
First published on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 as Author(s):
Design for dementia care
The impact of disorientating spaces on people with dementia can be profound, and can create serious deterioration in their wellbeing. Case studies of new build and refurbished care homes reveal how dementia-friendly interior and exterior design enable improved working practices for care staff, and lead to greater independence and a better quality of life for residents.Author(s):
Care relationships
To set up a care relationship that works well is a delicate matter, whether you are at the giving or the receiving end. In this free course, Care relationships, you will explore the very varied meanings of care relationships and how these meanings arise. Millions of care relationships are going on as you read this, and each carries its own particular meanings for those involved. But where have all those people picked up their ideas of how to relate to each other? How does any of us know where to
9.5 Social work and the law in Scotland In this course you will be asked to reflect on the meanings of both social work and law. You will find that these concepts are open to a range of possible definitions, and that the functions of social work and law can change depending on the practice context. Their meaning is also affected by the perspective from which they are viewed, for example, the service user's experience of social work and law will not always match the expectations of the professional, or the perceptions of the general
9.4 Working together with children: Stirling This course explores a wide range of children's experiences, a number of different services and interviews with a number of key practitioners. It features voluntary as well as statutory work with children and tries to capture some of the details of everyday life for children, parents and practitioners. The associated video material features children, practitioners and practice in the Plus organisation based in Stirling, Scotland. Looking at the overview of the Plus organisation will giv
6.2 Introduction to the law in contemporary Scotland This course will introduce you to law making in Scotland. It is taken from W150 An introduction to law in contemporary Scotland, a new 15-point course from The Open University's Centre for Law. The course begins by developing your general and legal study skills such as reading unfamiliar information, note taking and critical thinking. It then asks you to think about what law is and introduces you to the legal history of Scotland. The course then moves to look at the Scottish Parliament
5.3 Heritage case studies: Scotland These case studies introduce various typologies of heritage and the methods used to study them. They help draw attention to the fact that the heritage traditions in England, Scotland and Wales are not the same and are enshrined in slightly different legislation. Every study of heritage requires an understanding of the legal context and the traditions and history governing the object of heritage. The first case study, by Mary-Catherine Garden, involves public memories of two significant
5.1 Overview This section deals with the history of Scotland and is designed to stimulate thinking on some of the major events and themes which have shaped Scotland over a period covering the seventeenth century to the present day. These selected courses introduce learners to Scotland's rich heritage and also to its wider European and international context. If you are interested in learning more about Scottish history, The Open University runs a collaborative scheme with the University of Dund
2.4 Am I ready to study in English? Scotland benefits from having a culturally diverse population. Historically, Scotland has been a country of net emigration, with more people leaving Scotland to live elsewhere than moving to live in Scotland, but for the past four years Scotland's population has risen due to immigration. This course is aimed at people for whom English is an additional language. It offers learners the opportunity to assess their English language skills and to decide whether they feel ready to start studying at
