u3a - How to guidance

Here you will find links to guides to tools that will help you stay in touch and connected with your friends, family and u3a. Some we have written in house and some are links to external articles that can help.

Reference to these products/services do not constitute endorsement or imply recommendation by the Third Age Trust.

If you haven't yet worked out which programmes will best suit your needs, you can visit our handy lists of messaging services and video conferencing tools

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    Web Link Facebook - create a group

    Link to Facebook help page - to make a closed group be sure to change the privacy settings

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    Web Link WHYPAY? - account registration and conference calling

    A guide prepared by the national office to help U3As to register an account and set up a conference call in WHYPAY?

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    Web Link Zoom (Phones and Tablets) - account registration and starting a meeting

    A guide prepared by the national office to help U3As create an account and set up a meeting in Zoom using a phone or tablet.

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    Web Link Zoom (Desktop) - account registration and starting a meeting

    A guide prepared by the national office to help U3As to create an account and set up a meeting in Zoom using a Desktop PC.

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    Web Link WhatsApp - making a call

    Link to wikiHow page

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    Web Link Gmail - creating an Account

    Link to wikiHow page

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    Web Link Hotmail - creating an Account

    Link to wikiHow page

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    Web Link Listening to Podcasts

    Link to Youtube video ‘Listening to Podcasts – with BBC Sounds examples’ by Annette Merrick. This resource shows how podcasts provide a great way to listen to a wide range of well-produced, entertaining and informative recordings.

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    Web Link Skype - creating an account

    Link to wikiHow page

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    Web Link Jitsi - User Guide

    Link to Youtube video on installation and basic use of Jitsi, a free, no-registration video conferencing application.

    For further help, visit Jitsi FAQs

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    Web Link U3A Support Forum

    The Third Age Trust has launched three online discussion forums so that you can share ideas and support each other during this time. This user guide will walk you through the registration process and basic navigation and use of the forums. 

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    Web Link Whatsapp - creating a group

    Link to wikiHow page

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    Web Link Charity Digital Software

    Charity Digital provides any U3A which holds a registered charity number access to donation programmes from various software companies.
    Through Charity Digital's programme, U3As can access much cheaper access to software than possible anywhere else by encouraging companies like Microsoft, Zoom and Adobe to donate products and charging a small admin fee.
    The upshot is that every U3A can save around 90-95% on things like Microsoft Office 365, Norton Security licences and more. It’s completely free to register but does require you to submit some of your charity’s details.
    Several U3As are already registered but there are still a good few that haven’t yet.
    Please note that your U3A has to have a valid charity number or an HMRC Gift Aid number to enable you to purchase software through the Chraity Digital programme.
    Please do not use the U3A National Offices own charity number as Charity Digital will reject your request for legal reasons.

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    Web Link Lifesize Go

    Learn how to make a call

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    Web Link Google Duo

    Youtube video on installation and basic use