News

The OU is the first local organisation or business to contribute to a new fundraising appeal launched in March by the Milton Keynes Community Foundation, which is planning an extensive refurbishment of its headquarters, Acorn House. The refurbishment has been funded by a £375,000 grant from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Open University’s contribution will be used to buy new equipment for the building’s IT suite.

 “The OU are founder donors of the Milton Keynes Community Foundation and I am delighted that yet again the University is working in partnership with us for this very worthwhile venture,” said Julia Seal, Chief Executive of the Foundation.

Julia said that the OU is the first of what the Foundation hopes will be a number of key, valued local businesses and organisations whose contributions will benefit the local voluntary and community sector in Milton Keynes.

The Foundation expects that by 2007, 80 different local organisations will regularly use Acorn House, creating a busy and vibrant building. Currently 14 local voluntary organisations operate in this space.

The Open University’s Community Relations Manager, Dominic Newbould said the University was strongly committed to supporting the growth and development of Milton Keynes through a variety of initiatives with local enterprises, schools and government agencies. The OU is the UK's largest university and the presence of its main central campus in Milton Keynes brings enormous benefits to both the local community and the University itself, said Mr Newbould.

“We encourage other local businesses and organisations to join with the OU to help the Milton Keynes Community Foundation in the valuable work it does supporting and funding charities and voluntary groups to meet the needs of people in the Milton Keynes area,” said Mr Newbould.