Redditch

Welcome

Welcome to Redditch u3a (Registered Charity Number: 1185151)

Redditch is, contrary to popular belief, an old town, as famous for its Cistercian monastery and needle industry as those much-photographed roundabouts. Built around the River Arrow and now boasting a network of cycle and footpaths that crisscross the Arrow Valley, it offers the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Worcestershire countryside in peace and tranquillity. Its inhabitants also benefit from its proximity to the cultural and commercial centre of Birmingham and to Stratford-upon-Avon. There is no need to leave Redditch, however, to enjoy first class events and entertainment. The Palace Theatre, built in 1913, offers a variety of local and touring shows and the annual Halfords Tour Series cycle race first came to Redditch in May 2012.

Redditch u3a (formerly known as the University of the Third Age) is part of a national and international voluntary learning co-operative whose aim is to encourage lifelong learning for mature people.

Redditch u3a was set up in 1991 as a self-help group, to provide educational, creative, leisure and social activities for members of the local community no longer in full time employment and who may be missing the stimulation and social opportunities that work afforded. There are now more than 150 members and many different interest groups, ranging from Book Club to Rambling. (See 'Groups' for a full list).

Most interest group activities take place at different venues in Redditch, often in members’ own homes or in local hired halls but some are participated in through Zoom or WebEx. All our leaders give their time and expertise voluntarily. No qualifications are required and none are awarded.

General meetings take place at 2pm on the third Tuesday of each month at The Bridge Church Community Hall, Evesham Road, Headless Cross, B97 4JX. There is a varied programme of speakers covering a wide range of topics. A charge of £2.00 is made to cover the cost of the speaker, room hire and light refreshments.

1st Tuesday meetings take place between 2pm and 4pm on the first Tuesday of the month at The Bridge Church Community Hall, Evesham Road, Headless Cross, B97 4JX. A range of activities takes place for members to dip into as they choose - please see the Events page for details.

The cost for full membership, with effect from 1st April 2024, is £13.00 per year (including a £4.00 National Levy). If you already belong to a u3a elsewhere, please enquire for the reduced Associate fee. If you are already a member of an u3a within the Cotswold Link you can attend one interest group free of charge. Interest group meetings may be free or a small charge may be made to cover room hire and/or refreshments, where applicable.

Redditch u3a offers the opportunity to make new friends, to learn a new skill, to visit places of interest or to take up a new hobby.

If you are interested in becoming a member, please click the link on the top right of this page. You will be contacted soon by the Membership Secretary with details of how to join. If you have access to a printer, you can print an application form from the 'Join Us' button at the top of the page, before contacting the Membership Secretary for details of where to send your completed form. Otherwise, please feel free to call our Chair on 07592 954877.

Meanwhile, you are welcome to try us before you make a commitment, by attending up to one meeting of each of three different interest groups or general meetings. One of these three may be an outing or event.

To help you decide whether or not our u3a is for you, we would like to invite you to come along to chat further over a cup of tea or coffee (which we will provide) about our general/1st Tuesday meetings, and about the interest groups and outings we have to offer. You could raise any other queries that you have and tell us about yourself and the skills that you might offer the group. It will also be an opportunity for you to meet other new or prospective members who may be attending.

These meetings are held monthly as part of our 1st Tuesday meetings, and are hosted by two of the committee members. Please see the Events page for details of the next such meeting.