A local u3a is a community organisation, often a charity, under the umbrellas of the u3a South West Region and the Third Age Trust (or National u3a) where they can receive help or advice.

Individual u3as are made up from members of the local community, who run and manage their u3a through an executive committee who oversee the many Special Interest Groups that u3a members run voluntarily.

Everything we do is member-led, and member-run, so the opportunities are endless.

u3a was originally formed as the University of the Third Age (U3A). The title was often mistaken for an educational organisation, like a school, college or university, which it was not!

While the individual Special Interest groups are run by volunteers with an often vast wealth of knowledge on the subject, the aim isn't to teach so much as to share the knowledge they have, to help others.

So to answer the question, u3a stands for fun friendship and sharing. or as the Third Age Trust says, Learn, Laugh and Live.

Learning together, and from each other, is what u3a is all about. With over 1,000 locations across the UK, there is sure to be a u3a near you.  If not - you can join us online.

Everything we do is member-led, and member-run, so the opportunities are endless.

While we a predominantly made up of people who have retired and have time on their hands, there is NO AGE LIMIT for joining any u3a, however most groups take place in the daytime, so people in work, may not find many groups that they can attend.