Eastleigh District

Bandstand

We welcome you to join our Groups for study, fitness, well-being and leisure activities!

We have about 160 members at Eastleigh District u3a and around 35 Groups. More groups are forming on a regular basis and we are keen to welcome new members to join us to inspire new groups.

Groups are formed when a number of members with a common interest get together and decide how they would like to organise and manage their group. Some arrange visits to interesting gardens, houses, and local places of interest, others to exhibitions in museums and galleries, while many attend theatres to discover, share and enjoy a wide range of drama and musical theatre. Other groups get together for lunches, whilst others read and review books or may work creatively on improving photography skills. And many of us look forward to Mah Jong, Table Tennis and Wine Appreciation. Nothing is laid down, you can have a Group for any subject you like!

Meetings may take place weekly, fortnightly or monthly, depending on the subject and members' preferences. Groups are self-funded and therefore some activities may incur a small charge eg. hire of hall, materials etc. We ask 50p for Refreshments when meeting in a member's house. A contribution is made towards petrol when cars are shared.

The u3a is all about sharing your skills, experience and knowledge with others. Group members contribute to the group in various ways; by providing a venue, bringing teas, coffee and biscuits, leading discussions or demonstrating a skill or being the point of contact for the group.

The Group Leader does not necessarily have expertise which means that everyone in the group contributes to the learning experience by bringing books or videos, looking up a topic online or using libraries. You will meet lots of people, make new friends and keeping your mind active is always good. So come along and learn together!

In recent surveys we found that 90% of our members attend one or more of our groups and around 30% of members are volunteering their time, skill and knowledge. And we hope to maintain this vibrancy and commitment for many years! Thank you to all our members who contribute so much to Eastleigh District u3a!

We offer a free taster on a ‘try before you buy!’ basis for potential new members. It’s a great opportunity to join in the activities of these groups, so come along and try us out, it’s lots of fun!

Would you like to start a group for your favourite activity or hobby?

For example we do not at present have a Learn French group or a Flower Arranging workshop, how about a Dance group!
The list is vast, but there’s always room for more. Groups may be run on a short term basis or a few months or are ongoing for years! New members are welcomed to come up with some new ideas for us to occupy our time.

Our Group Coordinator Pat can help you set up the group, and give you all the guidance and help you need to enjoy facilitating a group to add to our wide range of activities.
For more information either have a chat with Pat at the open meetings or send her a message by clicking the blue bird in the right hand column. >>>.

Don't be afraid that, if you suggest a particular Group, you will be expected to lead it, or even to be an expert on the subject. Of course, if you are an expert, or even an expert enthusiast, that's great! Once set up, you could simply be the 'Contact' for the Group if you like. It's all about sharing knowledge, enthusiasm and experience really..

Please be aware that members participating in the activities of any Group do so at their own risk.Please also respect our no smoking policy when meeting in members homes.

As you can see, we have a wide range of Groups catering for all tastes, these include:-

To find out more about any of our current Groups click on its name in the table below. Group members wishing to obtain further details of any group activities should contact the Group Leader/Co-ordinator whose details can be found in the New Members Booklet and in the latest news Bulletin.