What is the Third Age Trust?
The u3a movement is a volunteer-led organisation and at all levels volunteers are dedicated to bringing learning opportunities to u3a members across the UK. Locally every u3a is run and activities are delivered by volunteers. This may involve being on the Committee, running interest groups, organising meetings and events, and welcoming new members into a u3a.
All u3a members are encouraged to volunteer and there are plenty of opportunities to suit a wide range of skills, experiences and time commitment. If you are interested in volunteering for your u3a, please contact a member of your committee.
It consists of local u3as across the UK and overseas, which are charities in their own right and run entirely by volunteers.
The u3a movement is non-religious and non-political and has three main principles:
The Third Age Principle
- Membership of a u3a is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a particular age but by a period in life in which full time employment has ceased.
- Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a u3a.
- Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a u3a can do so.
The Self-help Learning Principle
- Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire; by the members, for the members.
- No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards.
The Mutual Aid Principle
- Each u3a is a mutual aid organisation, operationally independent by a member of the Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the u3a movement.
- No payments are made to members for services rendered to any u3a.
- Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible.
- Outside financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the integrity of the u3a movement.