Wales

South Wales Network (SWN)

Network Secretary Wanted

On average we just need a couple of hours a week of your time. You will need access to a computer with emails, Word (or equivalent) and Zoom; if you can do more than all the better. Contact the Chairman if you can help us out.

Member u3as

Abergavenny, Barry, Blackwood, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Caldicot, Cardiff, Chepstow, Cowbridge, Crickhowell, Cynon Valley, Ebbw Vale, Garth Olwg, Gilwern, Maesteg, Monmouth, Neath, Newbridge, Newport, Pontyclun, Porthcawl, Risca, Sully, Swansea, Tonyrefail, Torfaen, Tredegar, Usk.
Click on Welsh u3as to check out the web site of an individual u3a.

We have been meeting monthly on Zoom sharing experiences of running our u3as during lockdown. We are now sharing plans for restarting normal activities as restrictions are eased.

Minutes of Meetings, Constitution and GDPR

Links to Sub Pages

Newsletters and Magazines of SWN u3as

Ideas for the Future of the Network
What does your u3a want from the Network? It is your Network and it has to reflect what you want. Here are some ideas taken from various sources: Network meetings, members, u3a Office website, Pathfinders, Network Link etc.

• Sharing best practice, exchange of ideas, and discussion of issues of concern. Generally, u3as helping one another. This is a key element of the Network and should be an item on every Agenda. But would need to be focused on specific topic(s) or u3a(s).
• Zoom meetings. No travel or hall hire costs. So we can have more meetings including shorter more focused ones in addition to the usual General meetings.
• SWN Meetings. At some point we will be able to go back to face to face Network meetings. Might have hybrid meetings? Perhaps a mixture of Zoom and face to face meetings?
• Peer groups - members with similar committee responsibilities. Chairs/Vice Chairs, Secretaries, Membership, Group Coordinator, Newsletters, Communications etc. To discuss their specific problems and exchange best practice. Could be one off or more regular meetings.
• Talks. Pathfinders, Wales Trustee etc.
• Study Days and Workshops run by U3a Office or SWN eg. Retention and Recruitment seminar, Websites by Wales Website editor.
• Mini seminars on topics identified by SWN u3as eg Hybrid meetings, on-line AGMs, Open Days etc. Record these sessions and put link on this website so any u3a can view them.
• Training sessions. Zoom
• User Groups. Facebook
• Sharing of on-line and face to face activity groups. Sharing of on-line groups may help older members who are not mobile or alternatively may attract younger new members.
• Encourage u3as to arrange Inter u3a competitions. Quiz, Bridge, Mah Jong, Skittles, Badminton, Table Tennis etc.
• Encourage joint meetings of similar interest groups (eg. Photography: Cardiff and Chepstow)
• One u3a giving help and advice to start up the same group in another u3a.
• Use South Wales Trustee to channel SWN concerns to u3a Office

If your u3a has an event where other u3as are invited eg quiz, open day, study day etc, you can publicise it in Dates for your Diary below.

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