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For Marion from Stapleford u3a, her art group caused her to fall in love with painting again. Watch our latest film, above.
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Dear <<First Name>>,
As we start the year, I'm sure many of you will be thinking of your plans for 2024 - whether that's learning something new, joining u3a for the first time, or continuing with your existing u3a groups.
In our new video, the final in our Learn Something Brilliant Today series, member Marion shares how joining u3a led to her rediscovering her love of painting. I know that many will relate to the supportive and friendly community that Marion has found within her u3a interest group.
Looking forward to later in the year, I wanted to let you know that in October, after eight years with u3a, I will be leaving the Third Age Trust and taking a break from working full-time.
2024 will be an exciting time as the Trust begins to look for a new Chief Executive who will take up the reigns to work with u3as across the movement. It is a privilege to work with u3as and to meet the many talented and dedicated people that make u3a the organisation it is.
The staff team and the volunteers here at the Trust are dedicated to the movement and are second to none and I am fortunate to work with them, as well as the many Trustees that I have worked with during this time.
I look forward to speaking with many of you between now and October.
With very best wishes
Sam Mauger
CEO of the Third Age Trust
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In this issue...
Investing in Volunteers
Film Subject Adviser Dieter shares his favourite films
Bailgate u3a's Vegan and Vegetarian group
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Your Stories
[Joining u3a was] one of the best things I ever did. I am now helping the members of Porthcawl u3a to converse in Welsh. I pop in to watch the table tennis team at play, attend History, quiz sessions, and most importantly, have made several new friends. At the age of 90 that can't be bad !!
Mabel, Porthcawl u3a
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Investing in Volunteers
We are delighted to announce that we have received the Investing in Volunteers accreditation. This is the result of months of hard work from our staff team and Trust volunteers.
Thank you to all of the volunteers at the Third Age Trust who give their time to keep the movement thriving. You can read more on our website.
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Sunny climes for Lancaster walkers
Twelve members of the Lancaster and Morecambe Nordic Walking Group recently went on a trip to Portugal. They walked along the ‘Seven Hanging Valleys’, the banks of the River Arade and the clifftop walk from Praia da Luz to Lagos. There was still time for other activities including swimming in the sea, taking a boat trip into the amazing limestone caves and eating Portuguese food.
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If you love walking and would like to share walks with other u3as in 2024, you may be interested in the u3a walking exchange. Find out more on the learning pages.
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Members of Haverhill u3a at a picnic event in 2022
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Haverhill & District u3a celebrate 30 years
Haverhill & District u3a are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year with a picnic on the Great Meadow at Kedington, and later in the year, a Christmas Concert. Read more about Haverhill & District u3a and how they have grown in the last three decades on our u3a blog, Sources.
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Downe u3a Culinary group, photographed by Alan Chowney from Ballynahinch Camera Club.
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Learning Across the Movement
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Coot feeding new chick photographed by Julian from Mawdesley u3a
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Spend 2024 taking beautiful photos
Our monthly photography challenge, u3a eye, has been going on for three years now. With a different theme each month, the galleries showcase the creativity and skill within the u3a movement - and if you wanted to explore photography this year, it's the perfect way to challenge yourself to see the world through a new lens.
See previous galleries on the u3a eye page, where you can also submit your photos for the current theme, Space.
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Exploring the world of talking newspapers
In the January u3a radio podcast, team member Val goes behind the scenes of the Knutsford Talking Newspaper.
For forty years, a team of volunteers have been creating audio files of the Knutsford Guardian, making it accessible for listeners in the local community with visual impairments. Listen on your favourite podcast platforms or on our YouTube channel - all information can be found on the u3a radio podcast page.
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Your Stories
Radio has always played a large part in my life from the time I made my own shortwave crystal set when I was a small boy, [to] listening to Radio Caroline, when all the wonderful music came on the scene in my youth. I now enjoy, from time to time, listening to plays while undertaking other tasks in our home.
I listen to Classic FM when behind the wheel, Boom radio while working with the computer, and on Saturday morning my wife and I enjoy listening to Tony Blackburn on BBC Radio 2.
John, Barnsley u3a
In 2023, we asked about your favourite radio stations. Read more members' responses on our u3a blog, Sources.
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Learning more about: Film with Subject Adviser Dieter
When did your love of cinema begin?
My interest in film is grounded in my childhood growing up in post-war Hamburg in a working class family with little spare cash. Most children's entertainment consisted of the once-yearly travelling fair and annual circus. We did have three cinemas in our part of town. The cheapest cinema was near our school and showed cowboy films for 1 mark. I will never forget my first film, The Wages of Fear. We queued to be the first in with our seats in the front row. It took us a while to figure out our strategic mistake. I loved every minute of it.
What are your favourite films?
All Quiet On The Western Front (1930) - by a margin the most effective anti-war film I have seen.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - Leaving the cinema it felt like Shaftesbury Road was alt-reality.
Bicycle Thieves (1948) - Simultaneously a film for post-war Italy and modern-day anywhere-at-all. It's a powerful, enduring landmark in humanist cinema.
How will you help u3a members planning to set up a new group?
I will inject a sense of realism and help to plan all parts, from the initial idea to the first screening.
Read more about Dieter's cinema memories and favourite movies in his blog post on Sources.
You can contact Dieter on the Film Subject Advice page or if you'd like to know about how Subject Advisers can support your u3a interest group, read 'Subject Advisers and what they can offer you.'
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Your Stories
What are we looking forward to in 2024? Well, for our newest group, clear skies both night and day!
The Astronauts are one of our newer Groups for folks with an interest in the solar system and universe that we are a part of. As well as talks and presentations indoors, we also have arranged observation sessions at a local nature reserve for viewing our night sky (weather permitting!).
We not only look at the night sky of course, but the daylight one too. Here we see members of the group with Facilitator Dawn (centre) preparing to view our own star, (with suitably filtered ‘scopes of course!)
Frank and Dawn, Castle Bromwich u3a
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Allan Walmsley, Vice-Chair of the Third Age Trust
As this is the first newsletter of the new year, it’s interesting to do a little crystal ball gazing and see what’s ahead of us as the year unfurls. All u3as and networks have already received proposals dubbed Fit For The Future, that include a way of creating a better voice for members. This could be one of the biggest governance changes in the movement for many years, so members are asked to carefully consider the idea and give us feedback.
In the spring, there will be changes to the newsletter, changes to the magazine, and new offers and discounted products available to members – more on this later!
In July, the u3a Festival 24 at York University will undoubtedly be the highlight of the year – keep your eyes on the website as more information emerges.
Then in October, the AGM will be, as always, the opportunity to have your say.
And to top it all, we will be saying goodbye to Sam and hello to her successor.
So 2024 will be a very busy year, and hopefully, it will be a year of change that takes the movement forward.
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u3a Festival 24 is taking place 18-20 July 2024. Find out more about the festival on the u3a website.
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Micklegate in York, near where the Festival will be taking place.
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Incredible response to u3a Festival 24
We have been blown away by the response to u3a Festival 24 - with the university accommodation for 18 and 19 July selling out within a month.
Margaret Fiddes, one of the organisers of u3a Festival 24, says "It is great to know that the festival is so popular. We do have some rooms at the STEM Centre which is across the campus which will be available on Friday 19 July only. For more information, please email festival@u3a.org.uk.
"Programme planning is in full swing. We appreciate your patience as we put the final touches to the programme and then ask our leaders to confirm. Update your preferences to receive Festival Updates to be the first to see the programme and book tickets."
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Your Stories
In early 2023, Haslemere u3a formed a Desert Island Music Group. This involves monthly sessions in a relaxed atmosphere, in which a member presents their personal choice of favourite music, often marking memorable or important moments in their life so far.
Such has been the popularity of this new group that the membership has almost doubled since July and is expected to grow further.
Allen, Haslemere u3a
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These are just some of the events for members that are coming soon. You can book onto all of these events on the online events page.
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Yoga Group Co-Ordinators Workshop: Flowing Sequences
Monday 5 February, 10am
In this practical and interactive workshop, yoga group co-ordinators will learn how to put short yoga sequences together.
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Mindfulness and Meditation
Six week course, beginning on Wednesday 7 February, 10am
John, Mike and Ruth from Sheffield u3a Mindful Ageing Group share the basics of mindfulness and meditation.
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Introduction to the Air Fryer, with simple recipes
Thursday 8 February, 11.30am
Ashford Wye and District u3a member Beverley is a professional cookery writer and will be sharing air fryer recipes in this demonstration.
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'Safe bind, safe find': locks and keys
Wednesday 14 February, 2pm
Richard of Penicuik u3a shares the history of locks and keys, from Sumer to Silicon Valley.
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The great thinkers of Greek Philosophy is just one of the things you can learn about at Yorkshire and Humber region's Summer School
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Yorkshire and Humber Summer School
The Yorkshire and Humber Region of u3as are hosting a Summer School between 22 and 25 July 2024. It is taking place at The Hawkhills in Easingwold.
Courses include the history of Russia and Ukraine in relation to the current conflict; Scottish Colourists; Improvised Drama for Beginners; Major thinkers of Greek Philosophy - and much more. Costs are £447pp for Full Board Delegate or £215pp for Day Delegate.
To find out more and book your place, visit the Yorkshire and Humber Region u3a website.
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1924 Milestone in Aviation
100 years ago, eight intrepid US Army Air Service pilots and maintainers embarked on a daring mission to fly around the world. Their epic journey spanned continents, oceans and countless challenges.
They departed Seattle, WA in April in four aircraft named after American cities: Seattle, Chicago, Boston and New Orleans. They faced unpredictable weather, mechanical issues and the vastness of the world itself.
After 175 days they accomplished what had never been done before – aerial circumnavigation of the globe. They experienced the thrill of soaring over distant lands, witnessing breathtaking landscapes and pushing the boundaries of human achievement.
The u3a aviation network is now part of the learning programme. If you would like to learn about and discuss all aspects of aviation, our next meeting is on Tuesday 6 February and you can book on the online events page.
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u3a is developing the movement's voice to make a social impact. Read about ongoing projects on Our Impact page.
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What should you consider when moving house?
In our next Future Lives event, on Tuesday 6 February at 2pm, we'll be joined by Kathleen Dunmore, Housing Advisor to the Retirement Housing Group. She'll be talking about what factors you should take into account when considering a move into retirement housing and the types of retirement housing available.
u3a Future Lives is a u3a group dedicated to sharing information about how to make the most of our later lives. Book your place on the Future Lives page.
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Our u3a blog, Sources, is filled with member-led stories. Here's just one story to give you a flavour of what to expect.
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Across the UK, people have dipped their toes into trying vegan food for Veganuary. One approach is to explore cooking plant-based food with others - something that the Vegan and Vegetarian group at Bailgate u3a have been doing for 18 months now. Read about how the group has encouraged meat-eating and vegetarian members alike to broaden their culinary horizons.
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Welsh Online Groups
During lockdown I was invited to join a Welsh group in Manchester which had gone online. It was marvellous to be able to improve my confidence in my native language. Sadly, Welsh people in my Surrey town are very few and far between and none of them are members of my u3a. Why couldn't there be a network of such groups sharing their knowledge with those unable to access a group locally?
With this in mind, some Welsh groups have offered to open their doors to other u3a members - with no cost. You can find a list of these groups on my Subject Advice page.
Cher, Subject Adviser for Welsh Language
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Advice and Volunteering News
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Influencing and Social Change workshop
Do you want to find out more about how we can use our combined voices and get involved in our communities to raise issues that matter? We will be running the next introduction to Influencing and Social Change online workshop on Wednesday 13 March at 10am. All u3a members are welcome.
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u3a Offers and Services is the section of the newsletter offering discounts to u3a members and friends.
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Save on your weekly grocery shopping with u3a Click and Save
Through u3a Click and Save, you can save money at the UK’s biggest supermarkets including ASDA, Iceland, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco*.
Find out more.
*Terms and conditions apply. See website for details. Offers subject to change without notice. The exclusive discounts are offered by our partner, Gift Card Savings, and cannot be applied to existing cards that have been purchased elsewhere. Personal credit cards cannot be used to purchase this product. Delivery charges apply for physical cards, up to £9.61 depending on value. u3a Click and Save is managed and run for u3a by Parliament Hill Limited.
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Brian, Bourne End and District u3a
I grew up in Dundee and moved to the South East after completing my studies. I now live in Maidenhead with my wife Val - we have three grown up children and seven grandchildren.
In 2019, I joined Bourne End and District u3a. A few years later, I saw an article in Third Age Matters about Third Age Trust Trading Limited (TATTL). This is the Trust's subsidiary company that manages activities aimed to provide additional benefit for individual members.
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My career was in business management and I wanted to help the movement at a national level so I applied to become a volunteer non-executive director. I was appointed in 2022.
In addition to being on the TATTL board with the opportunity to input to all its activities, I became involved in the new u3a Friends initiative. This is being launched in February through this newsletter. It will enable individuals to access a variety of resources, services and benefits.
One strand of Friends is Friends Extra, which will be launching in April. There is a wide range of planned benefits. I believe these will provide more choices, opportunities and real savings for those who register (free of charge) to join the Friends community. Testing is now underway for the dedicated Friends Extra website with the launch and communications preparations progressing.
I really enjoy my role and have been impressed by the enthusiasm and professionalism of all my colleagues and the u3a staff, as well as everyone’s team spirit.
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