This is particularly true of U3A which calls us to active learning, often beyond our comfort zone. This provides the zest and excitement of research and discovery about topics which, in our busy working lives, were completely inaccessible to us.

Main Meetings

• Held on a regular basis. (Once a month, once every two months. Last about 2 hours.)
• For half the time there is an invited speaker, a leader in their field of expertise.
• Refreshments are provided with the opportunity to socialise.
• After refreshments, a mini-talk is usually presented. This can be:
  • One member sharing their knowledge or experience
  • Study groups taking it in turn to present their “best”, recent talk(s).

Each Special Interest (Study) Group

• Meets regularly once or twice a month.
• Has between 6 and 20 members
• Its programme is chosen and presented by its members.
• Members are supported in organising their presentation if wished.
• New members may present a 10 minute talk to begin with
• Each member takes responsibility for presenting, to the rest of the group, information on the chosen topic. This may come from their own background, experience or research.. Outside speakers are sometimes invited to present but, on the whole members enjoy the opportunity to extend themselves.
• Meets in members’ homes or at community centres.
• A convenor from the group organises the “nuts and bolts”.
• Any member should belong to at least one of these groups. There is no upper limit to how many groups a member may belong to. Just time!
• The real socialising takes place in these small groups.
• By doing this we strive to fulfil the spirit of U3A as stated by Peter Laslett who founded U3A.