Our Story
“I had heard something about the u3a movement from friends living elsewhere in England, and thought it sounded interesting as a way to help people in our village get to know each other better and make new friends. I investigated, and sounded the idea out amongst Pembury friends. As there seemed to be interest I undertook some training for organisers arranged by the Third Age Trust. There was then a lot of work to do . I put an advert in the Village News asking for people to express interest and got 30 replies! A public meeting soon followed in November 2006 with 40 attendees. After this it was possible to set up a Steering Group of 14 volunteers and we spent a couple of months planning a launch meeting of Pembury’s own u3a - in January 2007, with 50 attendees and 12 interest groups. There was interest outside Pembury too and I have helped set up six more local u3as in Kent. Our u3a has thrived over the years. “
Pauline Hawker
The Story of the u3a National Organisation
Founded in 1982, the UK u3a movement aims to encourage groups of people no longer in full time work to come together and continue their enjoyment of learning together.
From the start the guiding principles were to promote non-formal learning through member- led interest groups covering a wide range of topics and activities as chosen by their members. There is no minimum age, but a focus on people who are no longer in full time employment or raising a family. Our founders envisaged a collaborative approach with peers learning from each other. The u3a movement was to be self funded with members not working towards qualifications but learning purely for pleasure. There would be no distinction between the learners and the teachers - everyone could take a turn at being both if they wished.
The movement grew very quickly and by the early 1990s a u3a was opening every fortnight. U3as started in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and in 2008 membership was increasing by 11% every year. 2010 saw membership hitting the quarter million mark. 2022 saw the 40th Anniversary of the movement in the UK and was marked with a year- long programme of events and celebrations.
Today all UK u3as are connected to the Third Age Trust, a charitable organisation which provides support, advice and guidance to local u3as as well as a regular magazine and a range of online activities available to all members. Pembury u3a held its first full meeting in January 2007.
To find out more about Third Age Trust click here - website link