We are thrilled to invite u3a members to take part in a new and exciting writing challenge: the Third Age Trust Essay Competition 2025. The task is to write an essay of up to 1000 words to ‘make the case for a person, policy, invention, or idea having a positive impact on society.’ 

Pamela, one of our competition judges, says “As the essays will come from a wide range of areas and from entrants of a variety of ages and interests, it will be exciting to read and judge them. Each one we read will be an entry into a new adventure." 

This essay competition is the latest in u3a’s national online learning activities, which in the past have included the very successful short story competition along with art and photography projects. Competitions like these invite u3a members to showcase their expertise and talents, and this essay competition does this in a new way - by encouraging research, debate, and the presentation of a compelling argument. 

The competition winner will receive a shopping voucher worth £100, and two runners up will receive prize books. These prizes have been kindly donated by u3a Friends Extra and Bloomsbury Publishing. 

The competition is open now. Submit your essay by 12 noon on Friday 9 May 2025. Our judges eagerly await reading your arguments. 

Please spread the word about this competition with other u3a members and the interest groups at your local u3a. After submission, essays could be shared, discussed and debated with fellow members of your local u3a too. How will you make your case?