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The Third Age Trust is developing its Information and Advice service to provide more personalised, practical support for the volunteers who run u3as. Our aim is to help committees feel confident in managing their responsibilities, addressing challenges and keeping their u3as thriving.

We have reshaped the service to support that ambition, and recruitment is underway. Alongside this, we are refreshing online guidance and developing support for committee members.

The questions facing u3a committees have become increasingly complex. Committees may need help understanding governance responsibilities, responding to safeguarding concerns, handling complaints or managing disputes. These situations often require advice that takes account of individual circumstances and helps volunteers understand their options and next steps.

We want committees to feel that their questions are understood and that the guidance they receive is relevant and practical. The changes are designed to strengthen our ability to provide that support, particularly where an enquiry needs more detailed consideration or ongoing advice.

Our information resources will continue to provide a useful foundation, alongside personalised support when committees need help applying guidance to their own circumstances.

We are refreshing our website guidance, moving more information from downloadable documents into web pages that are easier to access and keep up to date. This will help committee members find and use information as questions arise.

We are also developing our committee support programme, building on work already started to help volunteers carry out their roles.

As the new service becomes established, we plan to introduce clearer service standards so that committees know what to expect when they contact us. We will also gather feedback through satisfaction surveys, helping us understand what is working well and where further improvements are needed.

Together, these developments are intended to provide useful support both in the everyday running of a u3a and when a committee needs advice on a particular issue.

While recruitment is underway and we establish the new team, our capacity to respond to enquiries is temporarily reduced. Replies will take longer than usual during this transition period.

We recognise the impact this can have on committees waiting for advice and are sorry for the disruption and inconvenience it causes in the short term. Thank you for your understanding during the transition.

If you need advice, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The new team will ultimately bring the skills and experience to deliver a substantial improvement in the quality of support, with advice tailored to your committee’s circumstances and clear, practical guidance on next steps.

Our focus is on building a service that understands the challenges committees face and provides consistent, relevant and practical support.

The experience and feedback of u3as will help us develop that service. Thank you for everything you do to support your local u3a and the wider movement.