u3a Week is an annual event to showcase the activity, learning and fun which takes place across the movement every day. It is a celebration of positive ageing, highlighting our members' lived experience.
In 2023, u3a Week was 16 - 24 September and u3as chose which day to celebrate.
How u3as got involved in 2023
From Dundee to Penzance, u3a members celebrated u3a week by connecting existing members together as well as hosting external events to reach new members of their local communities. There were beach cleans, table tennis tournaments and open days across the UK.
Friday was the day for our nationally coordinated event, Alfresco in Autumn. This built on the previous success of Picnic in the Park and saw u3as across the movement take the fun and learning of their u3a outside, with picnics and outdoor activity sessions.
Dundee u3a planned an early Alfresco in Autumn event in their local Botanic gardens. Member Hilde says, “Dundee members took the theme of the organisation's motto of Learn, Laugh, Live to: Learn about the plants; Laugh at the fun of silly games organised; and Live a great retirement.”
Please do let us know how your u3a got involved by emailing
Online events in u3a week
Working for a Wales where older people are valued, rights are upheld and no-one is left behind
Tuesday 19 September at 3pm
Both Wales and Northern Ireland have a commissioner for older people, and u3a is part of a campaign to call for a commissioner in England and Scotland. We heard from Heléna Herklots CBE, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales about the important work of a commissioner, and shared thoughts on the issues you would like a commissioner to be addressing.
The online talk was hosted on Zoom.
Trees, woods, climate and nature – what’s all the fuss about?
Wednesday 20 September at 10am
John Tucker from the Woodland Trust- a forester of nearly 30 years experience. John gave an exclusive talk to u3a and led a discussion on how to get involved in supporting wildlife and the environment. This follows on from the movement's incredible achievement in helping to plant nearly 10,000 trees for our 40th anniversary wood last year.
The online talk was hosted on Zoom.
Bolder – How To Age Better, and Feel Better About Ageing
photo taken by Madeleine Alldis
Thursday 21 September at 10am
We were delighted that Carl Honoré, award-winning writer, broadcaster and TED speaker provided an exclusive talk for the u3a durign u3a week. Drawing on the latest science, personal experience and case studies from around the world, Carl inspires audiences to embrace ageing as both a privilege and an adventure.
The online talk was hosted on Zoom.
These events are arranged for members of u3a. If you are not currently a u3a member, we’d love you to come along to your local u3a event and help us celebrate the new experiences and fun you can have, now you have more time on your hands. Find out more about the benefits of joining a u3a near you.
u3a Week 2022
Following feedback from members, 2022 was the first time we celebrated u3a Week with a week full of events as opposed to a singular day. It was an extra special celebration as 2022 marked 40 years of the u3a movement.
u3a Week took place between 17-25 September. Whilst some u3as scaled back or rescheduled their events to be respectful of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, there were still activities across the country - including network events, an online danceathon in which forty members danced for forty minutes, and local u3a musical performances.
Read about how members celebrated this special year on the u3a 40th Anniversay blog.
u3a Day 2021
The very first national u3a Day, held on 2 June 2021, was a real celebration of our members' experiences of being part of the u3a movement. It was an opportunity to celebrate our activities, our contribution to the local community and the innovative ways members had responded to the restrictions under lockdown.
The u3a Day event showed the amazing and diverse things that our members get up to including sports, crafts, reading and wine tasting. It was such a great success that it was agreed to establish u3a Week. We believe u3a Week can help to challenge negative perceptions of older adults and bring together everyone in the community to learn about the contribution u3a makes to the quality of for our members.
Read a snapshot of how u3a members celebrated on the u3a Day 2021 blog.
u3a Week dates for the next few years
- 21-29 September 2024
- 20-28 September 2025
- 19-27 September 2026