Halesworth & District

Interest Groups

Joining an Interest Group is great way to meet like-minded people. U3A Groups are all about sharing ideas and expertise. The majority of our Groups welcome people with all levels of ability whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned pro. There are over 30 Groups to choose from so why not take a look at the list below to see if something interests you?

How do I join a Group?
To join a Group, click on the Group name in the list below and you will be taken to the specific Group page where you will find more information, then click on the "Blue Bird" to send a message to that Interest Group's Coordinator. If that Group's page doesn't have its own Blue Bird, then click on the Blue Bird on this page which will send a message to the Interest Groups Facilitator. Please include your telephone number in your message and check your spam box if you do not receive an email reply.

Do I have to be a member of Halesworth U3A to join a Group?
Yes. However, you can usually arrange a taster session with the relevant Interest Group Coordinator to see if the Group suits you before you commit yourself.

GROUP MEMBERSHIP means shared participatory learning where the Group uses the strengths and enthusiasms of all its members. The Groups are the life blood of U3A, so if you are able to co-ordinate a Group, or really wish there was a Group on a particular subject, then please let the Interest Groups Facilitator know. Help with organisation and resources can be given. You can send a general message about Groups by clicking on the "Blue Bird" at the top of this page.

INTEREST GROUP COORDINATORS

A comprehensive Handbook for all Interest Group Coordinators is provided here: Coordinators Handbook Oct 21.

Do you wish to send an email to all Halesworth U3A members giving information about your Group? Please contact the Membership Secretary.

Do you wish to update Group information, add reports of events or include a photo on the website? Please contact the Website manager.

Do you wish to borrow a video projector, screen, speakers, CD player or DVD player for use by your Group? Please contact Equipment Manager or to see more information please click on Equipment List Oct 2021.

An Incident Report Form if required can be downloaded, completed and returned to a Committee member such as the Interest Groups Facilitator.

POLICIES
Interest Group Coordinators should be familiar with all Halesworth U3A Policies. These can be found under the Policies section of the Governance page.

COMPUTING GUIDES
Please click on Computing Guides written by Ravenshead U3A for some helpful information.

WHYPAY? - the French Conversation Interest Group is again using WhyPay? This is a telephone based voice system which may be of interest to those who are not comfortable with using computers. It is similar to a conference call facility where users dial into a common "room" and can carry out a shared audio based meeting. If you are interested in using WhyPay? please contact the Interest Groups Facilitator.

GROUP NEWS

LOCAL HISTORY - This new Group is currently deciding on a suitable meeting venue. Anyone who would like to join this Group when it resumes should send their contact details to the Interest Group Coordinator via the Blue Bird on the Local History Group page.

EXPLORING THE NOVEL would welcome new members. For 2022 they will be looking at new novelists. Please contact the Interest Group Coordinator via the Blue Bird on the Exploring the Novel Group page for further details of the 2022 programme.

NEW GROUPS

GENEALOGY - This new group will meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 10.00 am, initially via Zoom. The thoughts of the founders at the moment would be to act as a self-help group, responding to the needs of Interest Group members and pooling our collective experiences and materials. Eventually we would hope to use various internet sites when we can meet face to face. The prospect of visiting local genealogical repositories has also been raised. For more information, please contact the Interest Group Coordinator via the Blue Bird on the Genealogy Group page.

HANDICRAFT - This new group meets in Wissett at a member’s home. Contact the Interest Group Coordinator for more details via the Blue Bird on the Handicraft group page.

POSSIBLE NEW GROUPS

• Want to learn a new language? We have the offer of a Beginners Spanish course.
• Are you interested in Jazz?
• Are you interested in learning the Recorder?
• Are you interested in Reading Music?
• Are you interested in playing Table Tennis?
• Are you interested in Photography (including on mobile phones and tablets)?
• Are you interested in Indoor/Carpet Bowls?

If you are interested in any of these possible new groups, please contact the Interest Groups Facilitator stating which group interests you.

Badminton: Brett Edmonds has offered to run this and is exploring Wenhaston as possible suitable venue. Watch this space for more info!

Keep checking this page and the individual group pages for up to date information.

INTEREST GROUPS
Below is a summary of all the interest groups currently being offered by Halesworth U3A. As you will see, some are full (as shown by the Group name being shaded). However we would encourage you to contact the Interest Groups Facilitator via the Blue Bird at the top of this page or the relevant Interest Group Coordinator via the "Blue Bird" on that Group's own page to express your interest in joining. We will add your name to a waiting list so that a second Group may be able to start when there are sufficient numbers. The following table includes information on Groups' activity during Covid-19 restrictions.