The u3a is a UK movement of retired and semi-retired people who come together to continue their educational, social and creative interests in a friendly and informal environment.
u3a members 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.
Formed 35 years ago, there are now over a thousand u3as across the UK, with thousands of interest groups between them and more than 400 thousand members nationally.
See the National u3a website for further information.
Principles of the Third Age Movement
The u3a movement is non-religious and non-political and has three main principles:
The Third Age Principle
a) Membership of the u3a is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a particular age but by a period of life in which full-time employment has ceased.
b) Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a U3A.
c) Members should do all they can to ensure people wanting to join the u3a can do so.
The Self-help Learning Principle
a) Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire; by the members for the members.
b) No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards.
c) There is no distinction between learners and the teachers, they are all u3a members.
The Mutual Aid Principle
a) Each u3a is a mutual aid organisation, operationally independent but a member of The Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the U3A Movement.
b) No payments are made to members for services rendered to any u3a.
c) Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible.
d) Outside financial assistance should only be sought if its does not imperil the integrity of the u3a movement.