FAQ
Frequently asked questions
We have tried to answer all your questions here, but please don't hesitate to contact us if you have more questions. Contact us
Can anyone join? Beccles u3a is aimed at retired and semi-retired people from all backgrounds. Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Policy 2022-23
Are you an independent organisation? No. We come under The Third Age Trust also known as the u3a. Made up of over 1000 locally run groups throughout the United Kingdom, we are self-funded and self-managed. To find out more click on Third Age Trust
What happens to personal information recorded information if I join? Please read the following 2022-23 Beccles u3a Policy documents:
Is it free to join? There is a relatively small annual or half-yearly joining fee that we keep as low as possible. For more information click on Membership
Do I have to pay to attend the Monthly Meeting? No. The meeting and talk are free to all Beccles u3a members. Guests are welcome at a cost of £2, but if your guest has a u3a card from a different branch, the cost is £1
Is the committee elected? Yes. Elections take placed at the Annual General Meeting, usually held in June. Committee members cannot serve for more than 3 consecutive years unless there are exceptional circumstances such as the pandemic.
I have impaired mobility, will this be a problem? We ask all our members to let a member of the committee and group convenors know if they have any special needs so we can make sure assistance is available when required. This is particularly important when considering an outing. If you require a wheelchair or have a problem walking, please contact our Events Secretary before booking any of the trips. Whilst all the trips are booked with disabled access in mind, there may be some that include uneven terrain, steps or getting on and off coaches and minibuses. For more information on the accessibility of venues used, please go to Accessibility Policy
Who decides what interest groups are available? Our members. If one of our members has a particular interest or passion they would like to share with the wider membership and know of two other members who have a similar interest, they can present their idea to the committee. Providing an administrator (Convenor) comes forward and a suitable venue can be found, a new group can be established.
Do I have to be a member of Beccles u3a to join a group? Yes, however most of our groups allow a visitor to join them for a maximum of two sessions without being a member of Beccles U3a after which they are expected to join.
Do I have to pay be a member of a group? Most groups charge a small fee to cover the cost of the venue but this rarely exceeds £3 per session.
How many people are there in a group? On average 10-15 people per session. This varies according to the group. Some groups e.g. the walking and cycling groups limit numbers for safety reasons. There are a couple of quite small groups who wish to continue and are prepared to share the cost of the venue between them.
If I am a Beccles u3a member can I dip in and out of groups? No. Convenors are responsible for knowing who is a member of their group and how many people are attending each meeting for insurance purposes. However most groups are happy for you to attend a couple of sessions before committing to joining them.
Can I join any group? On the whole yes but there are a couple of provisos. Some of our groups are full to capacity and have a waiting list. If you see that a group is full, it is always worth contacting the convenor to let them know of your interest. Some groups do ask for a certain level of ability. Our Language groups offer several levels of competency and with the exception of Modern Greek, all offer meetings for complete beginners.
Are outings free? No. The cost of the transport and entry to the destination is divided between the number of people going on the outing. Our Events Secretary is extremely experienced at finding very good value days out and keeps the costs as low as she can.
Are outings covered by Insurance? All our outings are fully covered by insurance. For more information on outings please go to Outings Terms and Conditions
Can I phone and discuss my enquiry? Yes. You can ring 07835 509773 and someone will call you back
If you have any questions not covered here, please don't hesitate to contact the Webmaster and I will make sure it is forwarded on the the right person who can give you an answer.