U3A is a learning organisation for retired or semi-retired people.  It was founded in the UK in 1982, based loosely on the French model of the University of the Third Age.  Since then it has grown to over 1000 U3A groups across the country with 420,000+ members.

It promotes lifelong learning through self-help interest groups.  Each U3A is a registered charity and organises a wide range of topics and activities as chosen by their members.  It is about learning for pleasure, so no qualifications are needed and none are given.  Education is also defined in the broadest sense, with classes covering learning, health and social activities.

U3As are supported by a national body, The Third Age Trust, but it is not a head office and branch organisation.  Each individual U3A is operationally independent, free to organise activities as they wish, provided they adhere to 3 basic principles:

1. Third Age: After full time work, but no age limits
2. Self-help: Members as both teachers and learners
3. Mutual Aid: Self-funding and no payments to members

The Trust provides advice and resources to existing U3As and supports start-up of new U3As wherever there is a local demand.

U3A in Northern Ireland

There are 25 U3As in Northern Ireland, ranging in size from around 50 to over 1000 members.  A new U3A is being launched in Donaghadee in early 2019 with a start-up committee preparing for this, helped by local Trust volunteers.  The website of Lisburn U3A gives a typical example of the range of interest groups provided by a U3A.

Although individual U3As run their own activities, a regional organisation helps bring members from different U3As together.  The Northern Ireland Regional Executive Committee (NIREC, website https://u3ani.info/ ) has organised a number of themed events such as Summer Schools, an annual Bridge Congress, Choir Festivals and inter-U3A quizzes.

Another way for U3As to come together is through a Shared Learning Project (SLP) where one or more U3As work together with other bodies such as colleges or community groups on a research project.  There have been several SLP’s in Northern Ireland and a particularly successful one was the development of a tourist trail based on the life of Frederick Hervey, the 4th Earl of Bristol (1730-1803).

The Volunteer Tutor Experience

U3A relies on members who volunteer as group leaders/ tutors and “Learning not Lonely” shows various reasons - e.g. to pass on a skill from their working life; to extend their knowledge of a previous interest; or to learn something new.   Volunteers report their self-confidence builds because there is no pressure.

Peter Laslett, who along with Michael Young and Eric Midwinter was one of 3 co-founders of U3A in the UK, set the principle that “Those who teach shall also learn and those who learn shall also teach.”  Volunteers therefore do not have formal training, but support is available from experienced members in their U3A and from the Trust in the form of National Subject Advisors.  Advice Sheets ensure volunteers are made aware of appropriate responsibilities such as Health & Safety, Data Protection, etc.

The Social Impact of U3A

There are 3.7 million people over the age of 65 who live on their own and depression affects approximately one in five older people.  Although members may have decided to join a U3A to learn a new skill or take part in a particular class, they quickly find that one of the main benefits from joining is the social interaction.

U3As are self-funding but, because it is run by the members for the members, costs are low.  A typical annual joining fee would be around £20, so cost is not usually a barrier to membership.  Interest groups meet in members’ homes, local halls and community facilities.  The learning model is based on peer-to-peer learning with participants learning subjects together, choosing the subject area, the content and the pace.  A member says “I always liked photography but it was difficult while working.  Now I can learn photography with like-minded people.  Whether a beginner or very competent, you can learn together.”

This model has allowed U3A to continue to grow, even at a time when other organisations have struggled because of financial and other cut backs.  Data shows UK membership growing by approximately 20,000 each year for the last 5 years.

The Third Age Trust has recently commissioned a study on the impact of U3A.  The study consisted of a literature review, research questionnaire and qualitative focus groups.  The findings, published as a document - Learning not Lonely - concluded that “The U3A learning model has a positive, cost-effective and sustainable impact on the wellbeing and future of retired people in the UK”.  The full report can be read here.

One contributor said “When you have worked all your life, how do you fill your life?  You could sit within four walls…instead I have found friendships and new experiences, experiences that I would never have thought I had the chance to do…”

Stuart Pollard took early retirement after a career in R&D, Technical Management and HR before becoming a member of Causeway U3A in 2005.  From 2012 to 2015 he was the Northern Ireland Trustee on the National Executive Committee of The Third Age Trust.

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