Tower and Town, December 2021 (view the full edition)What Is U3A?Formed to support people who want to make the most of life when full time working is over, u3a is a UK wide and international movement which brings people together to explore new ideas, interests and activities in a friendly and informal environment. u3a is a self-help organisation which provides educational, creative and leisure opportunities through a series of Interest Groups. Members draw on their knowledge and experience to learn from each other. Formed nearly 40 years ago, there are now over 1000 u3as across the UK with thousands of interest groups between them and more than 400,000 members nationally. The national body, the Third Age Trust, looks after all the u3as in the UK and provides educational and administrative support and advice. u3a in Kennet was formed in 1992. We have about 60 interest groups, and we currently have around 575 members. Group leaders are volunteers who organise and support their groups. They don't have to be experts and most rely on their group's members to support them and contribute to their group in many different ways. Any member with enthusiasm and basic organisational skills can start a group at any time if there is sufficient support. Meeting venues can be fixed or shared around members' homes. |