A warm welcome awaits you at Handsworth Wood u3a. We were formed in 1989 and are part of an international organisation originally started in France in 1972 and introduced in the UK some 10 years later. There are now over 1000 u3as across Great Britain and Northern Ireland with about 400,000 members.
University of the Third Age.... what's that?
Our name indicates that, after the first age of childhood and formal education, the second age of work and / or raising a family, there comes the third age of retirement when people are free to get together to follow interests for which they previously may not have had time. Members with like minds and interests meet in groups in each other's homes or other suitable venue.
Monthly Meetings
We hold regular meetings at Elmwood URC Church Hamstead Hill B20 1BU, on the second Tuesday in each month. Each meeting follows a similar format starting with registration and chat, followed by an interesting speaker after which there is time to chat to the speaker or other members and all this chat is facilitated by a cup of tea and a biscuit or two. Our venue is open to all, regardless of gender, faith and ethnicity. The building is disabled-friendly.
As a group we produce a programme of meetings and events with important dates and an in house magazine once a year which is included in your subscription.
How do Interest Groups work?
There are various interest groups which meet at regular intervals throughout the year. We are essentially a self help organisation. The group leaders, or group coordinators as they are increasingly being called, are just members who have an interest they wish to share with others. Ideas flow, new experiences and knowledge follow. It's also very sociable, plenty of tea, coffee and cake usually.
Who can Join?
Anybody, the criteria being that members must not be in full time, gainful employment. No qualifications are required, just a zest for life, an enquiring mind and a willingness to be involved. The motto of the whole u3u is "Learn, Laugh, Live."
How much does it cost to join?
At present members pay an annual subscription of £10.00 of which £4 is paid in capitation to The Third Age Trust (TAT). TAT takes care of all our insurance needs in a comprehensive way. There is a charge of £3.00 to attend the monthly meetings.
