Articles
Information Article Count: 22
Covid-19 Advice Article Count: 3
We are now in a National Lockdown and the Government Advice in all four Nations of the British Isles is:
- Stay At Home
- Only leave you home for essential purposes.
Find help to keep your members engaged while restrictions on face to face activities are in place. Scroll down below tables.
Whilst many U3As may initially have felt that the limitation imposed as a result Coronavirus would only last for a short time, it is clear its impact is going to be much longer term and that we will need to work collaboratively and supportively to keep the movement going.
In this section you will find various ideas on how to keep your u3a going during this time and to make you aware of the support and guidance that is available to you. There are links and information about video presentations and online tutorials to help you to use digital platforms and continue learning during lockdown. You will find ideas for running groups with limited face to face numbers and links to links to technology help and resources.
Keep in Touch links
Get help using online platforms
- Video Conferencing
- Messaging services
- How-to guidance
Online tutorials and workshops
Member-led video conferencing tutorials and workshops to support running your u3a
u3a Networks
Groups of u3as supporting each other
Supporting members not online
Ideas and suggestions for engaging with members who are not online
Hybrid Groups
- Hybrid models
- New approaches to meetings
u3a Regions and Countries
To help support u3as locally
About Us Article Count: 5
u3a is a UK-wide movement which brings together people, who are no longer in full-time employment, to develop their interests and continue their learning in a friendly and informal environment.
u3a has members who draw upon their knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other but there are no qualifications to pass – it is just for pleasure. Learning is its own reward.
It's all voluntary; a typical u3a will be home to many activity groups covering hundreds of different subjects - from art to zoology and everything in between.
Formed over 35 years ago, there are now over 1,050 u3as across the UK, with thousands of interest groups between them and more than 450,000 members nationally - plus we’re growing every day.
The u3a national body – the Third Age Trust - looks after all the u3as in the UK, providing educational and administrative support.
The Trust is overseen by a Board of Directors, to which any u3a member may be elected.
National Executive Committee Article Count: 7
Advice Area Article Count: 0
Please create an account or log in to view the area for advice for running a u3a only. You do not need to login to view all other areas of the website.
Are you looking for subject advice? Find it under the Learn tab above.
Communications Article Count: 1
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You do not need to login to view all other areas of the website.
How to communicate effectively with your membership and how to raise the profile of your U3A.
Financial Matters Article Count: 1
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Budgeting, accounting and managing U3A monies.
Growth Matters Article Count: 2
Please create an account or log in to view the area for advice for running a u3a only.
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Exploring issues around the effective growth of a U3A.
Interest Groups Matter Article Count: 1
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How to run effective interest groups and inspire new groups.
Keeping It Legal Article Count: 8
Please create an account or log in to view the area for advice for running a u3a only.
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Exploring issues of compliance including: insurance, GDPR, Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Running Your U3A Article Count: 5
Please create an account or log in to view the area for advice for running a u3a only.
You do not need to login to view all other areas of the website.
Explores governance issues, Trusteeship and organising an AGM.
Visit our new playlist, Running your U3A, on the U3A YouTube channel that hosts videos to help run your U3A. The first video tackles Trustee Induction.
Volunteers Article Count: 1
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Exploring issues around recruiting, valuing and managing volunteers.
Workshops Article Count: 1
Forthcoming Workshops Article Count: 3
Online Workshops Article Count: 4
Mailings Article Count: 1
Diversity and Inclusion Article Count: 11
Events Article Count: 3
AGM Article Count: 1
Educational Events Article Count: 1
Resources Article Count: 2
Publications Article Count: 2
Third Age Matters magazine is published five times a year and posted direct to members’ homes in an environmentally friendly paper wrapper. It is packed with stories about members and u3a activities, plus celebrity interviews and features on technology, recipes, travel, competitions, and a lively and popular letters section. To receive a copy, please contact your u3a, who will put you on the mailing list. For members with sight problems, you will find a screenreader version of Third Age Matters here, which will enable your computer to read the contents of the magazine to you. For more details, contact the editor
News Article Count: 75
Latest News Article Count: 20
Homepage Switcher Article Count: 2
Shop Article Count: 1
Covid-19 Article Count: 146
Learning Article Count: 65
There are many ways to keep learning during the current period and a number of projects you can get involved in covering many different subject areas. We will keep adding to this area as the weeks progress.
Subject Advice Article Count: 80
There is a network of over 70 national subject advisers, whose role is to provide advice on both the setting up of a group in their particular speciality and the sustainability of ones already in existence, which may benefit from new ideas or a different approach.
Some subject advisers keep in touch with group convenors through newsletters or blogs which is a useful way of sharing suggestions and good practice and some also organise study days.
They cover a wide range of subjects from American Archaeology to Yoga, with a real mix of academic, practical and leisure activities in between.
Our subject advisers with their contact details can be found in each issue of Third Age Matters and they all have a page below where you can often find links to additional information, including newsletters.
Research Network Article Count: 6
The u3a Research and Shared Learning Project Network brings together u3a volunteers, advice and various resources to support a wide range of research/enquiry-led learning throughout the u3a. You can find out more by clicking the boxes below.
Diary Project 2020 Article Count: 12
Support for U3As Article Count: 2
General Article Count: 1
Member Link Article Count: 3
Member Link is a new initative to support u3as and their members to keep connecting, talking and learning together.
Throughout our website, you will find advice, tips and resources to help us stay connected - we have now collated in one place below through Member Link.
Whether we connect online, offline, or face to face (rules allowing) when the lockdown eases or a blend of all three, we hope the ideas below will support our members and encourage others to join us.