U3A (University of the Third Age)

What is the Third Age?

After the First Age of childhood dependence and the Second Age of full-time employment and parental responsibility, there follows the Third Age of active retirement.  This is potentially a most rewarding time during which there is opportunity to follow a variety of new interests.  One in five of the population of the United Kingdom is in the Third Age.

What is the U3A?

The University of the Third Age (U3A) consists of people combining to pursue particular interests.  It is thus a university in the original sense in that it had members not students.  No qualifications are required and none are given.  Anyone in the Third Age can join; all that is needed is interest and enthusiasm.

What does the U3A do?

U3A members organise their own activities by drawing on the skills of one another.  One day they may teach or lead and the next be learners.  In this way the University of the Third Age provides a focus for knowledge and fresh understanding. Members' programmes of cultural, social and recreational activities grow out of their study groups and general meetings.  By sharing common interests in an informal atmosphere members are encouraged to contribute their own particular skills, knowledge and experience, which can be exciting and rewarding.  It is never too late to learn and the Third Age can and should be a time of creativity and fulfilment.

The national body of the U3A movement in the UK is the Third Age Trust.  U3As throughout the UK share the same philosophy, but each one develops its own character according to its members and the resources of the community.  By joining Croydon U3A you will become a member of an important and growing movement in the UK, catering for the needs of the ever-increasing proportion of the population entering the Third Age.

U3A Activities in Croydon

In addition to a monthly General Meeting, where there is usually a speaker and where members can keep up to date with events, there is a wide variety of group activities which are shown below.  These activities vary from time to time according to demand.

The many groups of Croydon U3A are organised into clusters as follows:

• Languages - French, German, Latin
• Literature - English Novel, Reading Poetry, Play Reading, Creative Writing, Reading for Pleasure, Theatre
• Music - Bach to Bartok, Great Composers, Great Singers, Piano Duet
• Social Studies - Current Affairs, Local History, Exploring Italy, Science, Visiting London
• Games of Skill - Bridge, Chess, Scrabble, Short Mat Bowls
• Action - Gardening , Rambling, Strolling
• Arts & Crafts - Creative Art, Bobbin Lace, Creative Crochet, Needlecraft, Needlepoint Embroidery, Sewing Clothing
• Cultural Studies - Art Appreciation, Calligraphy, Parchment, Lunch Club.

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At the national level, many subjects have a Network, each with its co-ordinator.

Croydon U3A newsletter and U3A News are both sent four times a year to members.

Croydon U3A has its own Summer School during the first two weeks of August.

Regional and National Events

Every year there are two Summer Schools covering a wide range of subjects.  Each extends over four days. These are held at University Campuses.

For those of a technical bent there is an annual Science & Technology Seminar.  For 2005 the theme was the Environment: this was held at Abergavenny and extended over three days. Additionally there are annual U3A days at the Royal Institution, the National Institute for Medical Research and the Science Museum.

Croydon U3A is linked to other London U3As through the Greater London Forum which organises joint events.

The U3A national website, www.u3a.org.uk, besides having information on relevant matters for constituent U3As and their members, offers online courses.  Additionally, the website http://worldu3a.org, which is jointly run by the U3As of the UK and Australia, offers amongst other things a discussion forum and a technical forum.  The latter can give technical advice on computer problems.

A Travel Club, which members may join for a small additional fee, is also run on a national basis.

What do I Pay?

There is an annual subscription (currently £16) which entitles you to attend as many groups as you wish, subject to availability.  Members of groups which meet in halls may be required to meet part of the room or hall rental.  A nominal sum is charged for refreshments and you may have to make a modest payment for materials in certain practical groups and, of course, for visits to places of interest.

Who Manages Croydon U3A?

Croydon U3A is run by its members and managed by a Committee, which is elected annually. Committee members are always ready to receive suggestions from the membership as to how the U3A should develop in Croydon.  They are also pleased to receive offers from members willing to lead groups or to assist with organisation, administration, fund-raising or research.  It is the principle of the U3A that members offer service to it and its activities.

How To Find Out More?

You are invited to attend a Monthly General Meeting of Croydon U3A to find out more. These take place on the second Wednesday of each month at 2pm (except August) at the main hall of the United Reformed Church, Addiscombe Grove, East Croydon.

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Saturday, 5 July, 2008

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