Following circulation of a proposed motion for the forthcoming AGM, the Trust has received requests from a small number of u3as for further information about the motion submitted by Haxby & Wigginton u3a and seconded by Guildford u3a.
Past practice has been to provide full details of any arguments for and against a motion, once amendments have been received and once wording has been finalised. However, in view of these requests, we are sharing the supporting statements from both u3as, together with background on the Trust’s current work and longer-term strategy in the areas referred to in the resolution.
It is important to note that until all amendments have been received and considered, the Board remains neutral on the resolution.
In accordance with Section 7 of the AGM standing orders u3as can submit amendments to this resolution. You must agree amendents with your committee and email them to
Proposed resolution
This AGM calls on the Third Age Trust Board to conduct, within six months, a formal consultation with u3as on Trust involvement in advocacy, campaigning and public policy outside the promotion of lifelong learning, education and support for member u3as.
The Board shall publish the responses together with a reasoned statement of its conclusions and proposed actions by 1 May 2027, and report to the 2027 AGM on how those conclusions have been acted upon.
Proposed by: Haxby & Wigginton u3a
Seconded by: Guildford u3a
Proposer statement
In 2003–04 the Trust described its role as “not that of a Head Office directing its branches but rather a National Office supporting and advising independent and autonomous u3as.”
Over recent years the Trust has increasingly moved beyond that role into advocacy, campaigning and wider public policy discussions concerning issues such as ageing, wellbeing, loneliness and community resilience.
Promoting lifelong learning and the value of u3a is clearly part of the Trust’s role. What concerns us is the shift beyond education and learning into wider social policy activity carried out in the movement’s name without any formal consultation with member u3as.
u3as are independent organisations and the members of the Trust itself. The consultation would ensure that the national body remains accountable to the member u3as it exists to support and does not assume authority to speak for the movement on wider social policy issues without first asking the movement.
This resolution asks the Trust to consult member u3as before moving further into campaigning and social policy activity outside the shared purpose of the Trust and u3a.
Haxby & Wigginton u3a
Seconder statement
People join u3as because they see opportunities to try something new, pursue an interest, share experiences and continue learning in later life. That practical, member-led culture is the real strength of the movement and the reason member u3as exist.
Many of us are happy for the Trust to promote u3a and explain the value of lifelong learning. What concerns us is that the Trust’s language around u3a increasingly emphasises themes such as loneliness, wellbeing, social isolation, active ageing and community resilience. Many members benefit in those ways, but those are the result of participation, not its purpose.
The purpose of u3as is educational: creating opportunities for members to learn, participate and experience new things together. The purpose of the Trust is to support u3as in providing those opportunities.
Once that purpose becomes blurred, the movement itself begins to be understood differently.
We, like many, are already finding it harder to fill committee places. People take on those responsibilities because they value what their u3a is and what it offers. If we are increasingly seen as part of a wider social support system rather than a mutual learning movement, members are even less likely to take on the work of helping to run them.
u3as are the members and guarantors of the Trust, and the movement exists through the activities, groups and effort given freely by its members. This is why u3as who sustain the movement should have a formal say in how it is publicly represented and understood. On that basis, Guildford u3a seconds this resolution.
Guildford u3a
Clarifying the Trust's position
The Trust’s aim is simple: to help more people understand the value of lifelong learning and encourage more people to benefit from membership of the u3a movement.
Everything we do is guided by Our Vision, which is that everyone has the opportunity to have a positive and fulfilling later life through lifelong learning, and Our Mission, which is promoting, supporting and strengthening the u3a movement.
All of this is underpinned by Our Charitable Objective: The advancement of education and, in particular, the education of older people and those who are retired from full-time work, by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development.
Read more about the strategy of the Trust.
This framework is clear. Lifelong learning is at the heart of the Trust’s purpose. However, promoting u3a includes publicising its impact, raising awareness through media and marketing campaigns, and working with partners to extend our reach.
The resolution and supporting statements suggest that the Trust may wish to extend its remit beyond lifelong learning. There is no intention to do so.
Our stronger, more coordinated approach to marketing is not a change of purpose. As requested by many u3as over many years, it is about telling the u3a story more clearly, reaching people who do not yet know us and supporting the movement’s long-term strength.
Our campaigns focus on learning and the benefits u3a members gain through interest groups and non-formal, peer-led participation. We talk about social connection, mental and physical activity, confidence, purpose and wellbeing because members tell us these are real outcomes of u3a membership.
Our research programme is central to this work. It enables us to listen at scale and base our messages on evidence rather than assumption.
More than 10,000 u3a members responded to the u3a and me research. It found that:
- 95% said u3a had improved their life
- almost 90% said it gave them opportunities to keep learning and stay curious
- 79% said it had expanded their social connections
- 77% reported improved wellbeing
- 45% said it had reduced loneliness or isolation.
This research is not a one-off exercise. It is part of an ongoing commitment to understand the different needs, motivations and experiences across our u3a movement.
This is how the Trust can speak credibly about the u3a movement: not by assuming that every u3a or u3a member has the same views, but by listening at scale, identifying strong and consistent themes, and faithfully representing the evidence u3a members give us.
We do not claim to speak for every u3a on every issue but we do have a responsibility to describe the impact of the movement confidently and accurately, based on what u3a members have told us.
Our external engagement
The Trust engages parliamentarians, public bodies and other stakeholders to raise awareness of u3a and the difference it makes.
We are not campaigning for government investment, nor are we seeking to become a general advocacy organisation.
We connect our work with public conversations about healthy ageing, wellbeing and loneliness, as well as non-formal learning, because the evidence shows that u3a offers a practical way for people to remain curious, connected and active.
This does not make u3a a health or social-care service, and it does not take us beyond our charitable purpose. It allows us to show why lifelong learning matters as a major contribution to positive ageing. We should be confident and passionate in sharing that story.
This approach to marketing in the future has been discussed with the Council and fully endorsed unanimously by the Trust Board.
We hope this information, together with the supporting statements, helps u3as consider whether to submit amendments to the motion and, in due course, reach an informed view once the finalised motion is circulated prior to the AGM.
Allan Walmsley, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Iain Cassidy, CEO of the Third Age Trust