Gransnet forums

Education

U3A

(103 Posts)
lizzypopbottle Sun 05-Jan-25 22:37:47

Do you have experience of U3A (University of the Third Age)? I was thinking about joining my local branch but they only have four groups, which are a discussion group, a reading/book discussion group, a natural history group and a Knit and Stitch group. I'm not attracted by any of those. Perhaps it's short sighted of me but:

1. the discussion topic this month is Limitarianism - should there be a cap on how much wealth an individual can accumulate? It's based on a book by Ingrid Robeyns. It doesn't say if she will be at the meeting or if members should buy the book in advance.
2. The readers group will discuss a book by Claire Keegan 'Small Things Like These'. There's no information about the book's genre, fiction or non-fiction. I might take a look on line.
3. Natural history group - This will be an outing to a couple of local sites of interest. No other details
4. Knit and Stitch group - This one interested me because I sew. The group is illustrated by a photo of a project using a sewing machine. Better and better! But then the description is "meeting for knitting and hand sewing", neither of which are any good for my arthritic hands. Why show a sewing machine?

I'm disappointed that there's so little of interest to me, although there are groups a little further afield that I'll take a look at. It's only £10 to join and apparently there are other benefits to membership e.g. discount schemes so I might blow a tenner.

I'd love to know what GNers think of their local U3A group.

JamesandJon33 Sun 07-Dec-25 12:19:43

Ours has not improved. I think they should remove the U.

Cabbie21 Sun 07-Dec-25 14:25:02

Franbern, I did not know about those rules. Whilst it is good to get different people in various roles, sometimes it is just not possible.
My u3a is currently very well run, but the majority are probably over 75. Not much new blood. We have over 30 interest groups. I go to two and usually the monthly meeting. It costs £15 a year.