Rayleigh

Groups

LATEST NEWS FROM OUR GROUPS COORDINATOR

As membership of Rayleigh U3A continues to grow, we continue to increase the opportunities for our members to join new interest groups.

We have a new u3a member who is prepared to begin a second Sunday Lunch group and much interest has already been shown in joining this group.

Both Group Leaders of Gardening Group 1 have stepped down and whilst every effort was made to find new leaders for the group from the other members of the group, this has now unfortunately disbanded and planned trips have been cancelled.

After conversations with the leaders of Gardening Group 2, this group will now be known simply as Gardening Group

The Coffee and Conversation for Ladies idea has really taken off and we now have three active groups. I will continue to advertise as there may be demand for at least one further group.

I have also begun to advertise a Ladies Inn (not a spelling mistake) Conversation Group which will be for those ladies who may wish to meet at lunchtime to include alternative refreshments….. !!!

Following the success of the Waffling for Men Group, this is now full so I am beginning to advertise for those who might be interested in beginning a second group.

After discussions with some of our members, I have advertised a Walking with Dogs group (not just for dog owners btw) and will gauge interest in this and the other new groups mention over the coming months before we begin running these.

Debbie and Amanda have taken on the making the arrangements for Theatre Trips alongside their existing roles for the time being until we are able to find other members who would be willing to take this over. The next trip to see Operation Mincemeat is fully subscribed.

If you are interested in the above or would like more information about any of our groups, then please contact me via my email paulreeve@rayleighu3a.co.uk or come and see me at the Monthly Members Meetings.

Paul Reeve, Group Coordinator

HOW THE ACTIVITY GROUPS MEET

In common with many other u3a's, the majority of learning groups meet in homes. This means that of necessity the groups are often small. This seems to work for our u3a, proving a more friendly and easier learning atmosphere. There are, of course, some groups that meet in public rooms and halls. This is usually due to large numbers, lack of house space, or equipment needed.

PLEASE NOTE: TO BE A MEMBER OF A GROUP, YOU MUST BE A CURRENT FULL OR ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF RAYLEIGH u3a.

u3as draw upon the knowledge, experience and skills of their own members to organise and provide interest groups in accordance with the wishes of the membership. Each Group has a Group Leader or Leaders who work with the members of the group as a team to plan how the subject can be enjoyed by all. U3a's offer the chance to study over 300 different subjects in such fields as art, languages, music, history, life sciences, philosophy, computing, crafts, photography and walking. The National Office can supply DVDs (suspended currently) but if you sign up to Third Age Trust you will find so much info - Subject Advisors, National Programmes and free online resources. .

The variation in groups is enormous, from technical or academic subjects to morning rambles and a pub lunch. The majority of groups have a regular meeting time or venue but this is entirely up to the group members to decide for themselves. Meetings can be far less formal such as the luncheon group whose members choose a pub, restaurant or café they wish to visit each month.

The u3a approach to learning is – learning for pleasure. There is no accreditation or validation and there are no assessments or qualifications to be gained. Group members form friendships, have fun and gain personal satisfaction.

The Group Coordinator will publicise activities at the monthly meetings and via the Newsletter and ask those people who have shown an interest in any new activity to meet together to form a group. If you are interested in an activity and there is no group available, then ask the Group Coordinator for this new subject to be advertised to see how many people come forward and put their names down for that subject.

The current list of activity groups and the normal day they meet each month is shown below.