Is anyone a member of U3A?

Yes, I'm a member. There are loads of groups around the country covering a huge range of interests. I moved 200 miles the year I retired so Mr. Z and I joined to get to know some people here and we have made some good friends. Give it a go

Like Zephrine moved to a new area ...joined local group. A good way to get out and meet new people and follow your interests. Would thoroughly recommend it ...you can do/join in as much or as little as you wish. Enjoy!

I sent my membership form and cheque off to one of our locals groups (I seem to be in the middle of three different groups and chose the one that seemed to be the most active). I asked to be included in the subjects I wanted to join but never heard anything else from them apart from the general newsletters. I came to the conclusion that either they were a very "clique" group or that they had decided that I was too far out of the area

Yes I moved many miles too.Loads to do-partner does langauges.I do poetry and history, but lots more interest me -all for £10 a year.You could be out every day.

You should have received a programme of subjects/groups available with contact names and numbers on, give them a call if you haven't had this or if you have call the organiser of a group you are interested in and take it from there. The local groups are usually too big to be "cliquey" there are 1300 people in our local area!

Thanks so much for your replies, they're very helpful. I'm recently retired, and have time on my hands for the first time. I did leave the secretary a message on my local website but haven't heard back. Hopefully, by going to the meeting I'll then be able to join. I was glad to see they have a theatre group, and local history sounds interesting.

I joined U3A in 1992 as soon as I retired. I joined the walking group,an English literature class and a French class. I was a widow and dreaded waking on a Monday morning with an empty week stretching ahead.I made many new friends and am still a member. I would recommend it strongly.

I've joined but have only managed a new members coffee morning to date. Numbers are - quite reasonably - limited in the interest groups and I've not yet taken the plunge to give it a go. There is a weekly meeting but again numbers are limited [for H&S reasons!!!] and it's therefore a first come first served basis which has put me off as I don't want to arrive an hour before the lecture / presentation starts. Perhaps it's not for me just now. Our local bookshop is organising a book group and I've signed up for that at present and of course continue my excellent Pilates class.

Yes, I belong to one of our 3 local groups. It is quite a large group that meets monthly with a guest speaker - always very interesting and entertaining. Lots of 'study groups' from walkers to art groups, reading groups, outings, etc. etc. There are usually waiting lists as numbers are limited. Yoga, Pilates, Theatre ................ You can do as much or as little as you want, indeed you could live your life through U3A should you choose. It is well worth joining and I am sure you will meet some lovely people.

Now I can't wait to join. The next meeting is over two weeks away, so I'll have to wait until then.

We have belonged to our local group for the last few years and have attended the French lessons - with our group the annual fee entitles you to join any group you wish as long as there is room. There are also lectures and outings to all sorts of things and some holidays etc. We have found it to be a place to meet a huge variety of people.

Only just seen this post. Had to move on retirement as we were not allowed to live in that area, so was in completely unknown town with husband in hospital an hour away for the first six months. The U3A was a good way to get to meet people on my own. The interest groups are self-led, so can be good and interesting depending on the members. Socially things like Needlework mean you get to know a small group quickly. Very small groups ( there were just two of us in a small room with three parrots) can be off putting. The monthly lectures can open up completely unexplored worlds. The visits too help you get to know your area (TIP get to see the Abergavenny Tapestry if you can!) The best think is that you can dip in and out and it's good not to feel you must attend everything. Hope it goes well happygran

I'm actually second generation U3A. Mum joined decades ago in Yorkshire to learn French, when my sister moved to live near Paris.

I joined ours here in Ipswich, Queensland Australia just over 12 months ago: I'm a writers' group and the performance group. I've made friends and had so much fun. Our fees are A$30 a year - just under 20 pounds I think, but no other fees or charges once that is paid.

There's loads more I could do: Indonesian, French, Spanish and German are on offer - I wouldn't mind doing Spanish - but I can't get away for more than one day a week.

They have other stuff such as mah jong, cards, various crafts, music, line dancing, circle dancing, contract law, philosophy, discussion groups, history, biology.........