BLACKWATER VALLEY U3A

ABOUT U3A

U3A Objective

The University of the Third Age ( U3A) is an organisation offering all kinds of educational, creative and leisure activities to anyone who is no longer in full-time, gainful employment. Members organise their own activities and use their skill and knowledge to form self-help groups. Retired people of any age may join. No qualifications are required and none is awarded

Origins

The seeds for 'Lifelong Learning for Older People' were sown at the Summer School of the Université du Troisième Age held in Toulouse in 1972. This led within a year to the formation of the 'International Association of U3As' (AIUTA). The movement soon became worldwide. In the UK, the U3A started with the creation of the 'Third Age Trust' in 1982 as registered charity and limited company. From the Third Age Trust - see their web site through our links page

In the UK it was decided during early discussions to adopt an approach that was independent of the Universities. It was realised that Third Agers themselves had the skills to organise and teach in their own autonomous learning groups, the local U3As. The principle was to be not "they teach us" but "we teach one another". In Europe and America development has been more dependent on the universities

Local U3A's

There are now some 400 U3A's throughout the United Kingdom with a total membership about 100,000. Each local U3A develops its own character in response to local needs and resources. Because a U3A is in effect a co-operative and has no campus of its own, fees are low.

Blackwater Valley U3A

Blackwater Valley U3A was started in November 2004 with the help and encouragement of Yateley U3A following a Meeting at Sandhurst Community Hall. There are now approximately 100 members.

To see our current range of study groups, go to the Groups page. If your particular interest is not covered, why not investigate the possibility of starting your own group. As we are a very new group, there are many new members looking for new challenges. It is not always necessary to be able to "teach"; you and your group can explore and develop your subject together.

New Members Coffee Mornings

Newly joined members will be invited to attend a coffee morning early in 2009. Date, time and venue will be announced here and in the Newsletters.

We hope that this will be an opportunity for new members to get to know one another, the committee and some of the group leaders and find out more about what is on offer.

If you are unable to make this one, it is hoped that this occasion will be repeated for new members at four-monthly intervals

Our Activities

To see our programme of activities, go to the Activities page

'Strollers' walk near Dogmersfield

If you have any further questions - please contact: enquiries@blackwatervalleyu3a.org.uk

Last updated on 10 October 2008