Rayleigh

Groups

GROUPS MEETING IN 2021

With current restrictions in place, many of our groups are having to find different ways to 'meet' - some groups are meeting online, some when restrictions allow are managing to meet in smaller groups and some, again when allowed, are meeting outside. Everyone is staying positive and being supportive in true u3a spirit!

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.

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.

Please note that dates may vary with some groups so PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK WITH THE GROUP LEADER. You can do this by clicking on the Group below and when the new page opens, click on the bird logo on the right hand of the screen - you can then send an email.