Regional & National
One u3a Movement
The overarching principles of the u3a Movement can be read here: u3a Principles The Third Age Trust governance structure comprises 9 English Regions and 3 Countries – with varying degrees of geographical size, number of u3as and members. The London Region network is one of the smallest in both number of u3as (43) and geographical size – making all the u3as relatively easily accessible. To learn more about the regional structure have a look here: National structure. To see information on the history of the 'London Region' have a look at the LONDON u3as page. To see a list of u3as in the 'London Region' and when they joined, looked here: London U3A Affiliation Dates If you want to see the national u3a website click on the 'U3A' logo at the top right of any of our pages.
u3a National 'Friends' Newsletter: this is sent directly to individual members by email each month. It often contains information about, or relevance to, u3as in the London area. To register for a copy, it's easy and free via the u3a national website here: u3a NEWSLETTER You can also browse previous issues by that same link.
National Programme: there are a number of learning presentations online and workshops. You can find out more about the range of workshops available here: Workshop Link and events here: National Events
Role of Regional Trustee:,
Against the above background, the role of each Regional Trustee (RT) will vary per region. However, there are certain common factors as listed below. RT's are assisted by Regional Volunteers and, in the case of London, Regional and Network Committees. The specific activities of a RT, including their responsibilities as members of the Trust's Board, are listed below:-
1. Help support all LRU3A meetings and workshops held in the region.
2. Be responsible for managing the annual RT Budget.
3. Explain the role of the RT to the Regional Committee, Networks and all member u3as in the Region and ensure that they have all the necessary contact details.
4. Represent the Trust, and its views, to the Regional Committee, Networks and all member u3as whilst, at the same time, representing their views at Board level.
5. Report on the Region’s activities to the Board.
6. Help create and support Networks in the Region and ensure that all u3as are aware of the choice of Networks available to them.
7. Be available to visit the Regional Committee, Networks and u3as, when requested.
8. Take overall responsibility for all new u3a development in the Region.
9. Provide assistance, as requested, to u3as experiencing difficulties.
10. Act as a spokesman for the u3a movement to outside agencies in the region.
11. Liaise with other organisations in the region involved with Third Agers, such as NIACE, Age UK. OU.
12. Help the Region to identify a successor.
Our Regional Trustee is Stella Morris. You can contact her at: stella.morris@u3a.org.uk
Board Meeting Notes: a copy of these notes can be found on the national website: Trust & Board Updates
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National Chairs Forum: there is an informal forum for all u3a Chairs. An example of their notes from one of their meetings can be viewed here:
Chairs Forum Jan2024
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Network Link:
See information about national Networks here: Network Link. Sign up to the Network Link newsleter here: NL Newsletter Sign Up
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Advice & Information
- Hybrid meetings: information on these can be found on our SHARING webpage including impact on Constitutions
- Presentation Planning for the Future
- CAMPAIGN FOR POSITIVE AGEING IN LONDON (PAiL): Response to Corona Virus Impact on Older People - PAiL Letter
- London Age-Friendly Forum (LAFF): see the latest report on this London Mayor initiative. Rosemary Mayes represents LRU3A on this forum and provides this latest report: LAFF Mayors Report November 2023
2019 Membership Survey: Published by the Trust ten years following the previous one in 2009. The full survey can be downloaded via the January 2020 National Newsletter or click here: Trust Survey.
Growth: our Regional Trustee recently presented at the LRU3A Delegates meeting some data on growth in U3A generally and in our local region. See the presentation here: U3A Growth
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Recruitment and Retention Initiative: it's acknowledged that all u3as struggle to retain members and recruit new members. As a national average all u3as loose about 10% of membership each year. To try to assist u3As the Third Age Trust has launched an inititative to provide a tool kit of documents to help in this effort. You can find out more here: R&R Initiative. Within that presentation is a link to more information on the national website or here it is direct: R&R Toolkit. There is some supporting 'chat' from a meeting on the topic and this can be viewed here: R&R Chat.
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Slow Ways: u3a is teaming up with 'Slow Ways' which is a new initiative to encourage and support more walking, more possibilities for walking and more walk accessibility. You can find out more about Slow Ways and register with them here: Slow Ways.
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Grants for Study days or Workshops that have the objective of improving the governance or running of u3as can apply to the Regional Trustee for a grant and would generally qualify. However if study days or workshops run by u3as or Networks are about subjects, activities or interest groups then they do not qualify. If u3as or networks have a day promoting growth of the u3a they can apply directly to the Regional Trustee for support for that.
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Beacon Members Database System: This is a great way of simplfying your membership records and a lot more. It's a database system with built in functions to help run your u3a efficiently. There is a support team to help u3as who are considering using the system. The support team can help u3as to get access to the on-line "dummy" system to try out for themselves and can answer questions from enquirers and users. To access the Beacon Coordinator click on BEACON.
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u3a is a great way of learning and if you'd like to see what else exists out there have a look at some options on our LEARNING page.
To learn more about other networks and groupings of U3As in the London area, click here: NETWORKS & OTHER GROUPINGS OF u3as
To see the video about life in u3a click on below:
Life in U3A