Being Alone

Mostly our members are in the UK, however, we also have members from the USA too 🙂

As far as I'm aware I'm too young at 57 yrs to join U3A ha ha hark at me a spring chicken lol

University of the Third Age (U3A) is a unique and exciting organisation which provides, life-enhancing and life-changing opportunities. Retired and semi-retired people come together and learn together, not for qualifications but for its own reward: the sheer joy of discovery!

There is a yearly membership fee (average £15/20) this includes quarterly U3A magazine. Once a month there is a meeting (usually £1 including refreshments) chance to meet people, sign up for trips, join/create new groups. A speaker will also entertain you (or not) depending on your outlook. You do not have to go to meetings if you don’t wish, you can join and just choose groups you may be interested in, holidays, trips etc., Members share their skills and life experiences: the learners teach and the teachers learn, and there is no distinction between them.

U3As are independently managed charitable associations with their own constitutions.  Membership of The Third Age Trust is a requirement in order to use the U3A name and logo both of which are protected but once registered, providing the aims and guiding principles of the organisation are adhered to, local U3As are self-governing.
Examples of Groups you can join or even start a new one yourself.
Ballroom Dancing
Bowling
Coffee Morning
Craft
Day Trips
Film Appreciation
French and German Conversation
Friday Night Diners
 Gardening
IT Development
Kurling
Lunch Group
Photography
Play Reading
Reading
Reading (group 2)
Singing For Fun
Strolling
Theatre/Cinema
Travel
Ukulele
Walking
 
For reference only...
A Discussion Group? They said “Don’t do it”... It’s a recipe for disaster”...“You will have arguments and fall out”. The topics could be anything and everything but broadly centred on current affairs and issues of concern. It was decided not to call the group a debating society but rather a discussion group. The aim being to allow members to freely discuss a given topic without the requirement to follow the rules of debate e.g. proposer, opposer, seconder etc. The format is that a member will offer, in advance, a subject for discussion and give a 10 to 15 minute introduction. This requires the individual to undertake research and increase their knowledge of the issues around their subject and present their findings and thoughts to the group. The person chairing the meeting (members take it in turns) then throws the discussion open and members raise their hands when so moved and are invited to speak. Such contributions are often spontaneous but some are the result of research or enquiry on the subject – hence another area of specific learning. Listening to the discussion is of itself educational. There are very few “rules” apart from respecting a person’s right to speak without interruption, all views are respected and differences of opinion are discussed in a co-operative and friendly manner. These “rules” are followed with the result that there is often serious debate and much laughter. Some recent topics for discussion have been... “Statues and Memorials; keep them up or knock them down?”; “What does the coming of the Jedi have to say about the place of religion in modern British society?”; “How can harmony be encouraged at the interface of different racial and cultural groups?” “Sex offenders: pariahs or members of society?” To what extent does the media define society?”

There is also often opportunities to attend wider events, one example...
Mughal India - Art & Culture EventU3A is privileged to be invited by The British Library Knowledge Centre Theatre to discover Mughal India at this study day, exclusive to U3A members.

Hope this helps.

Your welcome, if you can't find one, consider starting a new one (like we did)

I will be interested to hear how you find it, you are allowed to go to one meeting without actually joining (or is it two) check this of course with the specific U3A.

It's for learning there are all sorts of courses. I looked up U3A and it says there is no minimum age but it's aimed at people who have finished full time work and bringing up family who still want to learn new things!

Yes I am sure you are right. I had alot of loss in my childhood & younger years, I think it could stem from this. Thank you