Glasgow West End

More About Glasgow West End u3a

Our principles and approaches

We are an independent local voluntary organisation, but we work as part of the wider u3a movement across the UK (and worldwide). We are open to anyone who is no longer in full time paid employment and is able to join in activities based largely in the West End of Glasgow.
The u3a movement is non-religious and non-political and has three main principles, which we share:

The Third Age Principle

  • Membership of a u3a is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a particular age but by a period in life in which full time employment has ceased.
  • Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a u3a.
  • Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a u3acan do so.

The Self-help Learning Principle

  • Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire; by the members, for the members.
  • No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards.
  • There is no distinction between the learners and the teachers; they are all u3a members.

The Mutual Aid Principle

  • 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.
  • No payments are made to members for services rendered to any u3a.
  • Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible.
  • Outside financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the integrity of the u3a movement.

In Glasgow West End u3a we recognise that people have different opportunities to take part for a whole variety of personal, social or health reasons. We will try wherever possible to vary our activities in order to accommodate people’s access needs. Groups should be willing to adapt to differing needs where possible; and we are always interested in ideas for new activities that may suit people’s needs. Above all we want as many people as possible to share their enthusiasms, knowledge or skills with each other.

To progress this, we have developed an Equality Diversity Inclusion Access Policy and established an Inclusion Working Group (read about Role of Inclusion Group).

If you have comments or concerns about the accessibility of the ways in which we operate or the places we meet, please contact our Accessibility Officer