u3a - How to upload your u3a matters subscription data

To make sure we send each issue of u3a matters to the right people, you need to use the Magazine data submission portal (MAMs) to update the names and addresses of the members in your u3a who want to receive the magazine.

If you are the pre-registered contact for your u3a, you will be sent a reminder email two weeks before the submission deadline. The window to update the data for your u3a is as follows:

June issue - 28 April to 12 May
September issue - 28 July to 11 August
November issue - 29 Sept to 13 October

Data can be submitted earlier than the submission window. You only need to make a new submission if the data has changed - the last submission will be saved to the MAMs system.

If you do not submit new data via the MAMs portal, we will assume that your mailing list remains unchanged. Your members will receive the magazine in accordance with your previous submission.

Please do not send your data to us by email. The only way to submit your data is through the secure online portal. We recommend using a desktop computer to upload your data.

Login and upload data to MAMs portal

Instructions for preparing and uploading your data

All u3as using Beacon should download the data from Beacon. If you don't use Beacon, you can download a template below to fill with your data. You will find instructions below, as well as instructions for uploading the data to MAMs.

Downloading data from Beacon

Instructions for u3as not using Beacon

Uploading your data to MAMs

If you haven't logged into the MAMs Portal before, you will find instructions below.

Login to the MAMs Portal for the first time

How to download data from Beacon

All u3as using Beacon should use download the data from Beacon. Using Beacon, you can produce the u3a matters address file quickly and simply by following these steps:

Click Addresses export on Beacon's main menu.
Select the Third Age Matters button in the Format line near the top of the page.
Select the Poll, they use for creating the TAM address list, in the Poll dropdown.
Tick negate poll if the Poll used is for members NOT wanting TAM ie "No TAM."
Scroll to the bottom of the address list and click the Download TAM button.

Beacon will download an Excel file onto your device that can then be uploaded to the MAMS Portal. Before uploading this file, please double check the content to make sure that:

the Surname (D), Address 1 (E) and Postcode (K) columns are all filled in and that all columns remain in the same order
any unnecessary information is removed from the file and that columns A-D contain no numbers or random characters
there are no blank cells in between the address lines
password protection is removed.

Find instructions for uploading to the MAMS Portal below. If you have any concerns about this process, please contact the Beacon team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Log in to Beacon

Instructions for u3as not using Beacon

Download the template below.
Fill in the name, address and u3a name of each member who wishes to subscribe - make sure that the data is correctly aligned to the correct column heading and only use the data columns included in the template.
Please make sure that Surname (column D), Address 1 (column E) and Postcode (column K) are filled in.
Columns must remain in the same order as supplied in the template, even if some columns aren't populated.
If you are uploading an Excel file, please remove any unnecessary information from the file and make sure your file only contains one tab. This is crucial so that the system can process your data.
Before uploading your file to the portal, please make sure columns A-D contain no numbers or random characters, that there are no blank cells in between the address lines, and that password protection is removed.
You can save this file as an Excel or CSV file.

u3a magazine data template.csv (110 Byte)

Login to the MAMs Portal for the first time

The first time you access the portal, you will see this screen.

Click on the words 'Reset Password'.

How to upload your data to MAMs

Once you have set up your account, and logged in to the portal, you will see this screen.

Drag your subscription data file onto the 'Drag / Drop' area at the top of the page. This will upload it to the portal.

Refresh your browser window.

If your upload is successful it should appear in the 'Upload History' section with a green tick to indicate this is now the active data. Previous uploads will show a cross to indicate they are no longer active.

It takes the system 2 or 3 minutes to check the data in the file that you have uploaded. Once the data has been checked you will automatically receive an email letting you know if the upload has been successful and you will also be able to check the record count in the system.

Please make sure that the data file you upload is in CSV format or in Excel with only one tab. Remember that the file must match the template provided in this email.

Login and upload data to MAMS portal

Checking your submission

Once your file has been uploaded, you can check if the data in your file is correctly aligned by clicking on the eye symbol beside your file (see screenshot below). If the data is not correctly aligned, with the correct information in each column, then please revise the data in the excel or CSV file and complete the upload process again.

If you have any issues using the portal, please ensure you are using the latest version of your web browser.

Data submission is requested on behalf of the Third Age Trust Trading Limited (Company number 11899419).