The u3a story in the UK

The UK took a slightly different approach. Founded in 1982, the UK u3a movement (based loosely on the French model) aims to encourage groups of people no longer in full-time work (classed as the 3rd age) to come together and continue their enjoyment of learning subjects of interest to them.

From the start, the guiding principles were

• to promote non-formal learning through self-help interest groups covering a wide range of topics and activities as chosen by their members. 
• There is no minimum age, but a focus on people who are no longer in full-time employment or raising a family.
• Our founders envisaged a collaborative approach with peers learning from each other.
• The u3a movement was to be self-funded, with members not working towards qualifications but learning purely for pleasure.
• There would be no distinction between the learners and the teachers – everyone could take a turn at being both if they wished.

The movement grew very quickly and by the early 1990s, a u3a was opening every fortnight. u3as started in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and in 2008 membership was increasing by 11% every year. 2010 saw our membership hitting the quarter million mark. 2022 saw 40th Anniversary of the movement in the UK and was marked with a year-long programme of events and celebrations.

The u3a movement currently has almost half a million UK members and around 1200 u3a's in the UK. It is non-religious and non-political organisation. We believe in Life Long Learning. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards. u3a gives retired/semi-retired people a unique opportunity to do something different and offers people like us the chance to make new friends, develop new skills, have new experiences, and really get out and enjoy retirement. 

When you join u3a you join a local group but you also become a member of the wider u3a family with regional and national events and activities. You can learn much more about National and Regional events and activities on their respective websites.

How does it operate?

u3a is a UK-wide movement of locally-run interest groups that provide a wide range of opportunities to come together to learn for fun. Members explore new ideas, skills and activities together. u3a has members who draw upon their knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other but there are no qualifications to pass – it is just for pleasure. Learning is its own reward. We do not use outside teachers everything comes from within.

MEMBERS NEED TO BE ACTIVE IN OUR U3A AND VOLUNTEER TO SET UP, RUN AND SUPPORT OUR INTEREST GROUPS.
WE ALSO NEED MEMBERS TO BE INVOLVED IN RUNNING THE U3A BY JOINING THE COMMITTEE.
If every member spent at least 1 or 2 years being proactive and working in our u3a we could offer a huge range of groups, events and many other opportunities as we have over 600 members!!. The list of groups is only limited by the volume of volunteers.
If you have a skill or knowledge but not keen on being the leader we can work with you to find a suitable partner to help set up and run a group.

It's all voluntary; a typical u3a will be home to many activity groups covering hundreds of different subjects - from art to zoology and everything in between.