We’ve been asking u3a members about their experiences with Interest Groups Online (formerly known as Trust u3a).
Interest Groups Online offers online learning opportunities within interactive and friendly group settings that you can attend from anywhere, and you can join whether you’re a member of a local u3a or not.
Pauline, Chair of Belfast u3a, has joined two online interest groups; Wine Tasting and Armchair Travellers. Pauline says, “They are both terrific and have given me the opportunity to meet members of u3as in Wales, England and Scotland, in addition to those from Northern Ireland. After attending many meetings since October 2020 I feel I know some of the people, even though I have never met them physically.”
Pauline says that the main benefits are “meeting new people, hearing what other u3as are doing, and feeling connected to a wider world… there is a broader range of activities than those which can be offered by an individual u3a.”
Interest Groups Online offers groups across a wide variety of subjects, and a lot of members find it a great accompaniment to their in-person activities, meeting different people and making connections nationally.
Roughly 50% of Interest Groups Online members are also a member of their local u3a. Pete is a member of Berwyn and District u3a in North Wales. He says, “My local u3a group is quite small [...] when Trust u3a started up during national lockdown I saw an opportunity to enjoy a wide range of groups so signed up enthusiastically.
“I have found the online experience to be very convenient to manage group activity between other commitments. I have also enjoyed meeting members from across the UK and sharing their experiences and interests. I continue to enjoy these complementary benefits although we have now resumed our normal face to face activities locally. I thoroughly recommend Trust u3a to anyone wishing to expand their mental and virtual horizons."
Maria belongs to Belfast u3a and is also a member of Interest Groups Online: She says, “I joined Trust u3a in the summer of 2020. At that time Covid 19 was impacting on our ability to meet physically in our own u3a. Although heavily involved with my local u3a I continue to attend certain sessions with Trust u3a. It is lovely meeting and sharing experiences with members of other u3as and I can do so from the comfort of my own home.”
Many find that through Interest Groups Online, they can experience a wider range of activities than their local u3a has to offer in person. Sheila from Enfield u3a says that “the main benefit was to have such a wide variety of classes available, so much more than I could access locally… I have attended Trust classes on Art Appreciation, Ancient Egypt, and Greek Myths. I still attend Ancient Rome, Fashion and Armchair Travellers.”
We also spoke to Valerie of Wyre u3a, who said that “I belong to the travel group but have also enjoyed two series of talks on the Aztecs and Incas, and would welcome more from this speaker. I was also in the history and family history groups.”
Both Valerie and Sheila mention that Interest Groups Online is invaluable to those who might be housebound or have health problems and cannot easily get to local meetings.
Another member, Brenda, shared her experience as part of our Do Something Brilliant Today film series. Watch this video on the u3a YouTube channel.
As Winter draws nearer and it might be harder to get out, why not join Interest Groups Online? View the current range of subjects on offer, with more being added continuously.
The cost of joining is £12 per person per year.*
Alternatively, if you’d like to offer your skill as a group convener or learning leader, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing
* (Correct as of Jun 2023)