Waltham Abbey

Groups

Interest Groups are the mainstay of U3As. The Group Co-ordinator is the committee member responsible for facilitating the initiation of new interest groups and supporting existing interest groups. Remember our slogan - LEARN, LAUGH & LIVE.

Anyone wishing to start an interest group should notify the Group Co-ordinator. This interest will then be made known via the monthly meeting and those members wishing to join, sign their names on a list and agree to meet together at a certain place and time. Members at that meeting will then discuss informally the framework of the group and how they want it to move forward.

General Guideline
Group Co-ordinator(s) are there to help set up groups, and support Group Leaders
All Group Leaders/Facilitators should be a member of u3a.
A Group Leader should attend the Group Leaders meetings, or a nominated member of their group should attend in their absence.
There should be no less than 2, no more than 6 meetings per year.
No one person should have to carry the load of running an Interest Group. As many group members as possible should be involved in the preparation, notification, delivering of the group sessions. Agree the tasks that need doing to run the group and who is willing to support these – who is willing to help with the programme or keep the register, for example?
Do not feel that you should run the group indefinitely. Ensure that someone else in your group can take over. If not, then the group should close and nobody should feel bad.
It is important to set some ground rules as a group i.e. time keeping, direction and aim of the group.
Check your group participants are members
Groups should be open to all Waltham Abbey u3a members, to non-members for taster session only
If you run a small group, consider whether you would like to expand and move to a larger premises or if a second group should be started – not necessarily by you. Let the Group Co-ordinator(s) know.
All group leaders should keep a register of attendees for every meeting. This is not only for covid reasons but also for insurance purposes, in the event of an accident.
Group Leaders should also consider if their group is open to sharing with other local u3a’s under the Group sharing policy.
All groups should be self-financing, although if money is needed to start a group by purchasing assets, this can be taken from the main account with the Committees approval.
Group Leaders should ensure that they can cover their costs – hall hire and/or equipment
Group Leaders (or a deputy) should keep account of their finances and report to the Treasurer.
Each group that has equipment should ensure that it is regularly checked and fit for purpose i.e. electrical equipment PAT tested annually.
Group Leaders should inform Group Co-Ordinator (s) of any change i.e. name; frequency; time and add this to the monthly newsletter
Group Leaders should provide their name and contact details for publication in Waltham Abbey u3a’s literature i.e. website and newsletter
Group Leaders should be acquainted with the H&S regulations at their venues.
Group Leaders should encourage their group members to carry their ICE details with them. Any accidents to property or equipment or people should be recorded and reported to the Group Co-ordinator(s)

Our Groups provide a variety of activities. There are many opportunities to try something different and new group members are always welcome.

Since the launch of The WA U3A in September 2014, we now have over 40 interest groups. We are always looking for new groups to be formed, so please do not forget, if you cannot find a group to join, or have an idea for a new activity, we can always start a group.

It would be appreciated if members who join interest groups and find they no longer wish to attend or are unable to attend on three occasions, out of courtesy please let the group leader know, as other members may wish to join the group.

There has been an interest shown in Walking Football for Waltham Abbey U3A.
Jonathan Sands has just joined our U3A and is a Walking Football inspiration - playing for the last few years as well as being involved in the England under 70's team. If you are interested in this please telephone Jonathan - 07795 606 087. This is not just for the guys - women can also join in.

Members have shown interest in having the following groups - Flower Arranging and Cookery, but before the groups can start facilitators are required, so if anyone is willing to start any group, please contact Wendy Quintin, Group Co-ordinator - 07981 792 140. To find out about our Groups, please click on any of the links below.

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New Groups Guideline

Anyone wishing to start a new interest group or has an idea for a new interest group should contact the Groups Co-ordinator(s).
A Groups Co-ordinator who has an idea for a new interest group can approach a member to start the new interest group.
Where possible, no interest group should be run solely by 1 person – see Group Facilitators Guidelines.
All Group Facilitators should be u3a members.
1. Ascertain if there is an interest for the new group
2. Consider how the group will run i.e. when, where, how often, how long
3. Consider how the group might grow – in learning and/or numbers
4. Consider what equipment might be required
5. Consider the aim of the group – what do you wish to achieve/offer
6. Think about costs – how much a member will pay
7. Find out what a group facilitator role involves
8. Agree with the committee/treasurer should you need help with start-up costs
9. Be inclusive to all u3a members as much as possible.
10. Consider if you wish to open your new group up to other local u3a members under the group sharing policy.

Please also see Group Facilitator Guideline document – ask Group Co-Ordinator.

NEW GROUPS -

Golf - Waltham Abbey Driving Range - Linda Kiff 07909 962 901. See Group Page
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Exploring London - Gill Hoye - Not resumed yet -
Various days - Visits to Places of interest in London. Ideas so far are Houses of Parliament, Kensington Palace and London Postal Museum. The group will use public transport to get to venues on most occasions. See Group Page
Gill Hoye 07947 205 597.

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Please find details below of Broxbourne U3A groups wishing to group share:

Ballroom Sequence Dancing - Stan Chatterton - 01992 422 622 (Not running at the moment)
Country Dancing - Val Foster - 01992 627 354
Gardening 2 - Suzanne Fitch - 01992 444 257
Health & Relaxation - Val Foley - 01992 304 830
Heritage - Geoff and Sue Ansell - 01992 444 928
Jazz Appreciation - Terry Riddell - 01920 463 745
Stamp Collecting - Michael Facey - 01992 468 833

Ballroom Sequence Dancing is held at Wormley Community Centre from 14.00 to 16.00 on the first Friday every month. Anyone attending needs a partner. Contact Terry Knight on 07932 781 939.

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Please find details below of Buntingford U3A groups wishing to group share:

Guitar for Beginners - Alternate Mondays 2-4pm The Crown PH, Rear Hall, Buntingford.
No charge, participants expected to buy drink at bar, as free use of hall. Suitable for beginners through to competent. Bill Hooper 01763 273 123

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Please find details below of Cheshunt U3A groups wishing to group share:

Cycling - Longer cycle rides - Run in conjunction with Cheshunt Cycling Group
Stewart Wagstaff - 01992 624 706

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Please find details below of Hertford & District U3A groups wishing to group share:

Latin - Alternate Fridays, 3pm. Anthony Holbourne - 01992 300 663.

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Please find details below of Lea Valley U3A groups wishing to group share:

Antiques & Collectables - 4th Tuesday 2-4pm. Parish Centre Broxbourne £3. Chris Murphy - 01992 446 190 or Kate Gorman - 01920 465 032

Listen to Music - 1st Monday 1.30 - Mayhem Centre, Hoddesdon £2 with a cup of tea. Felicity Foster - 01992 462 528

Singing for Pleasure - alternate Wednesdays 2-4pm - Broxbourne Parish Centre - £2. Helen Miles - 01992 634 578

Theatre - Local productions and West End shows. Regular Updates. Lee Rayner - 01992 465 383, leerayner_arts@hotmail.com

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