Origins of the u3a
The original concept of u3a started in Toulouse, France in 1972. There are now u3as all over the world, including more than 1000 in the UK. Generally u3as are not associated with universities in the normal educational system. 'University' is used in the sense of a group of persons devoted to mutual learning, with no distinction between' teacher' and 'taught'. However, like 'real' universities we include group leisure activities.
The u3a in the UK started by the creation of the 'Third Age Trust' in 1982 and is a registered charity No. 288007 and limited company No. 1759471. The Trust represents all u3as in the UK at a national and international level. It is run by a National Executive Committee democratically elected from the membership and offers a range of services to support and advise local u3as.
The Universities of the Third Age are democratic, self-funding, organizations that provide all types of educational and leisure activities for retired or semi-retired people at minimum cost, by making use of the knowledge and skills of their members. The main emphasis is on participation. There are currently more than 1,000 local u3as and the number is increasing all the time.
Most u3a groups in the UK operate in a similar manner and most have adopted a standard constitution. As autonomous bodies they run their own affairs within their constitution and as members of the Third Age Trust their representatives attend the AGM of the Third Age Trust and help to set policy nationally.
u3as collaborate with institutions such as museums, galleries, libraries, in learning partnerships in which both u3as and the institutions themselves may benefit through research, advancement of knowledge and mutual respect for capabilities.
The virtual u3a which went live in January 2009 is an online facility offered by vu3a, which is affiliated to the Third Age Trust. One of its principal aims is to provide the u3a experience for those who are rendered isolated in some way by circumstance or geography and unable to play a full part in a terrestrial u3a. More information is available on the public website www.vu3a.org
The Third Age website www.u3a.org.uk has useful information on the facilities; resources; advice and support sheets offered.