Sidcup & District

Welcome to Sidcup U3A

What is U3A? TO SEE A LINK TO THE MAIN NATIONAL U3A PLEASE CLICK ON THE U3A LOGO AT THE TOP RIGHT.(not yet working) There you will be able to see latest advice and news of upcoming events from the Third Age Trust.

Members can now have access to a free and confidential advice line through Independent Age, a national charity providing expert and impartial advice concerning older people. Click on the link on the right to read more.

U3A is an international organisation which promotes active learning, research, community services plus social and recreational activities to those no longer in active full time employment. Currently, it has over 1000 branches around the UK with a membership exceeding 435,000.

The Sidcup & District U3A branch

The Sidcup & District branch was founded in 1994. Our principal activities are focused around special interest groups, of which we have about 40. The subjects we cover include culture, literature, history, crafts and recreation.(See Group Tab, then click on the Group Name). Most groups are small in size and determine their own course of study under a chosen leader. There are no formal lectures and members are encouraged to share in a joint process of learning and discovery. We arrange occasional outings to professional concerts and operas - usually in London, and usually at discount prices. Sometimes a group may arrange a holiday.

We hold general meetings in the Community Church Hall of St.Lawrence Church, Hamiton Road, Sidcup usually at 2.00 pm on the 3rd Thursday of every month to which we invite guest speakers. The doors open at 1.15 for socialising. Refreshments (currently free) are available after each meeting. New members are always welcome to join - but please arrive about thirty minutes before we start. Alternatively, you may email our Membership Secretary via the "Contact Us" button in the menu.

The printed monthly Newsletter is currrently suspended. A shortened eNewsletter is emailed most months to those members who have given us their email addresses. These past Newsletters can be downloaded from the Newletters page. The annual membership fee for 2024-25 has recently been agreed and will be announced at the AGM in March. Membership entitles you to attend meetings and as many groups as you wish - provided there are vacancies. (Separate charges apply for some outings). When the desired group does not yet exist, or a group is fully subscribed, enterprising members will simply create a new one.

We produce an annual booklet which displays our programme and describes the activities of our interest groups.