Ealing

Groups

CORONAVIRUS Epidemic and advice re Interest Groups

Based on the Government advice at the Prime Minister's press conference on Monday 16th March, the Ealing U3A Committee is now recommending that all Interest Group meetings should be CANCELLED for the foreseable future, due to the Coronavirus epidemic.

This is because the advice now is that everyone should stop non-essential contact with others and adopt social distancing. People in ‘at risk groups’ are to be shielded from social contact for 12 weeks. People who should take particular care to minimise social contact are, among others, people over the age of 70.

Keeping GROUPS running using VIDEO CONFERENCING

We have been looking at ways in which some Groups can keep running whilst we are all in 'lockdown' and for many Groups which involve discussing or talking on their topic, Video Conferencing is a good way to do so.

To use any Video Conferencing software you need to have a computer (desktop or laptop), tablet or smartphone which has

• A camera (so you can be seen)
• A microphone (so you can be heard)
• Speakers (so you can hear other people)
• You also need a good wifi signal (or network connection) to make sure your sound and vision are of good quality during a video conference

Most recent laptops will have camera, microphone and speakers, as will tablets or smartphones. If you are using a desktop PC, it will depend on the age of your computer so will need to check your computer to confirm it has the above.

We (along with many other U3As) have decided to adopt Zoom as the software to use for video conferencing. Zoom has become very popular recently (it is what the Government uses for it's daily press conferences and cabinet meetings) - it is easy to use, reliable and it's basic version is free to use.

We have produced some instructions for Group Convenors on how to install and set up Zoom and to Host a Zoom video conference - click on Zoom Guide for Hosts for these.
We have also produced instructions for how to install and set up Zoom if you are only a Participant in a video conference - click on Zoom Guide for Participants for these.

Some of our Groups have already held successful video conference meetings using Zoom and we would like more Groups to try this. Now that we have some experience in using Zoom we have a number of Tips on the best way to use Zoom and some answers to common questions that have been raised - you can see these in the Zoom Tips and FAQs document.
If you need any further help or advice with Zoom, Colin Lomas can be contacted on 07909 896 541 or Phil Broomsgrove can be contacted by email at U3ANewsEaling@gmail.com.

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For GENERAL enquiries concerning Interest Groups contact the Interest Groups Co-ordinator, Tim Carter.

At present we have over 40 Interest Groups as listed below. Each group has a Convener whose function is to act as administrator or leader in its various activities and meetings. For information about a Specific Group, including how to contact the Convener, click on the GROUP NAME in the BOXED LIST at the BOTTOM of this page.

Groups meet in members homes or at other venues. Largely because of space constraints, there is a limit to the number of members that each group can accommodate. To learn if space is available contact the group Convener. If there is sufficient demand and if a member offers her or himself as Convener a second group can be initiated.

In addition, we also occasionally offer short courses of up to 10 sessions led or tutored by a member or associate. For example, in the last couple of years we have run 3 separate Film Studies courses. If you could offer a course covering some aspect of your expertise or knowledge, please contact the Chairman.

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NEW GROUPS
Three new Groups started up in recent months, which were:

• Jazz and Blues Appreciation, Convenor: Phil Hart
• Chess, Convenor: Jeremy Fraser
• Book Circle 5, Convenors: Georgine and Tim Carter

See the relevant Group page for more details on these groups.

Other New Groups
We are always on the lookout for possibilities to start new groups. At the New Members Coffee Morning in Spring 2019 there was some interest expressed in 3 other new groups - Antiques, Intermediate French and Pilates.
If you feel you would be interested in acting as Convenor for any of these potential new groups, please email the Interest Groups Co-ordinator, Tim Carter, contact him at 020 8579 3729 or speak to him at a Thursday meeting.

Do you have the interests, skills and experience to help form any other new Interest Groups? All of our Group Conveners are volunteers, motivated by commitment to a particular area of activity and learning. Will you volunteer to form a new group? If so, please email the Interest Groups Co-ordinator, Tim Carter, contact him at 020 8579 3729 or speak to him at a Thursday meeting.

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NEWS FROM THE GROUPS

1. MUSIC 2 group
This group currently has spaces for new members - see the Group page for details.

2. Groups which have closed
Unfortunately, there are 3 Groups which have closed recently - Scrabble & Table Games, Gardening group 1, and Meditation with Music. This has been either due to lack of numbers or the Group Co-ordinators withdrawing from running the group.
If anyone is interested in restarting any of these groups, please email the Interest Groups Co-ordinator, Tim Carter, contact him at 020 8579 3729 or speak to him at a Thursday meeting.

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CLICK on the Group Name BELOW for further information on that Group, including how to contact the CONVENER