Welcome!  The U3A (or University of the Third Age) is a popular and ever expanding self-help organisation for people no longer in full-time employment – indeed this is the only criterion for membership!  Each local U3A group is a charity in its own right and is run entirely by volunteers providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly and informal environment.  

 

There are no entry requirements and no exams (unless members of a group wish to go the extra mile) so extending your knowledge in a particular subject or taking up a new interest can be really enjoyable.  There are no demarcation lines – someone who is a “tutor” in one subject group is very likely to be a “student” in another.  And there’s an added bonus: the likelihood of new friendships, which in itself can be a very good reason for becoming a member!  

 

 

Here in Blandford, we draw on the knowledge, enthusiasm and skills of over 200 members to provide a wide range of interest groups, from languages and computing to walking, singing, history and needlecraft, the majority taking place during the day and meeting in each other’s homes.  The List of Groups shows how diverse we are and we hope to add new groups from time to time as suggestions arise from members.  In addition, members have access to the archives and resources available at our National Office.

 

We also enjoy Quarterly Meetings with invited speakers on a variety of subjects and a popular book exchange, coffee mornings twice a month and parties at Christmas and in the summer, all of which are splendid opportunities for socialising and meeting members from other groups. There are no awkward silences when U3A members get together!  There is our lively quarterly Newsletter to keep you up to date with what the U3A is doing in Blandford and, again on a quarterly basis, National Office sends out its magazine “U3A News” to all members.  All this for a small subscription each year!

 

So if you now have time to explore what else life has to offer away from the old nine to five or have recently moved to the area and are up for a few new challenges, you might just discover that the U3A has what you are looking for!  Whatever your circumstances, whatever your interests, you can be sure of a warm welcome.  So get in touch and we look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Christine Iredale

Chairman