Barnsley & District

Groups

We have, currently, over 130 groups here at Barnsley U3A. Groups are what makes the U3A work - it brings people together with a common interest to share knowledge and learn from each other. The schedule of when groups meet may be found on the Groups Calendar.

Despite having all these groups we can always use more and if you feel an area of interest is not represented anybody can start a new group. Support and advice for starting a group can be obtained from our Development officer, Lynn Maloney or alternatively Helen Dew for the Penistone area. A new Group needs to be registered so that details may be passed to members of the Executive Committee, venues booked and paid for, announcements and calendars set up. You can register a new group here Alternative Group Registration. If you have a Windows device there is a simpler form in the link to the top right of this page.

Corona Virus Message

You will have read our message concerning the above on our opening pages. This, of course, applies at the moment but is subject to change - both from the Government and U3A authorities - but of course, also refer to us each as individuals. For this reason, and while the restrictions are in force, we will be adopting a Self Risk Assessment approach. This will consist of each group leader looking at his or her group, as a whole, and the venue in which they meet and completing a Risk Assessment Form. Also, each member must also look to his or her personal situation and fill in a personal Risk Assessment Form. These need to be held by Barnsley U3A and so should be down loaded (click on the link), Filled in by the person making the assessment, copied and saved as (only pages 1 and 3 needed) into a computer as a PDF format. The resulting files should renamed (the words risk assessment and the GROUP name should be prevalent|) and be emailed to the Webmaster and Risk Assessment Officer. These will be stored electronically. Currently, at the time of writing, this will only be groups meeting outside. But, as inside venues start to reopen, it will become pertinent to groups using those venues also and wishing to start meeting again.

It is not necessary, but most groups have a web page presence here. This can be a simple or elaborate affair, but mostly serve to inform people of the purpose of the group, when and where it meets and who to contract to join.

Group leaders are called coordinators and some like to be responsible for their groups webpage. Whilst not difficult, this does require some basic knowledge of the editing interface which uses it. There are 8 video lessons on how this is done, although just the basics are required and covered in the first two of these. They may be viewed here Group Webpage Editing Tutorial - you may need to open a new window to view them. The videos are made available by a past Webmaster who has donated their use to us. You may, of course, do more than the basics if you wish, by viewing and applying the whole 8 videos. A copy of the Page Editing Crib Sheet is here.

If, having viewed, the first two of these you feel you could do this you may apply to be come a webpage editor here Webpage Editing Request. this is sent directly to the Webmaster who will then supply you with both a Logon name and a Password. Naturally the Webmaster will be happy to help and advise you with this editing. Should you prefer not to edit your own page the Webmaster will do it for you, but you'll need to tell him/her what you want.

Lastly, it is not obligatory to join a group when you join U3A. However, we find that those who do find the experience uplifting and the social contact both entertaining and enlightening. Many join several groups - there is no limitation, except time. As stated in the Welcome page, a charge of £1 is made for each member attending a group which requires a venue to be booked. This blue box helps offset the charge for the venue.

Page last reviewed 05/09/2020 by Webmaster