U3A is coming to Ringwood

The U3A (University of the Third Age) is set to open a group in Ringwood.

Although there are over 800 groups in the UK with over a quarter of a million members, up to now there hasn’t been one in Ringwood. This is about to change.

Pam Jones, the organisation's regional trustee said, “So many members have found the friendliness of U3A’s groups, combined with the opportunity to pursue new interests, provides great stimulation and goes a long way to filling the social gap which can be experienced on retirement. Ringwood should certainly have a branch.”

The Mayor of Ringwood, Councillor Brian Terry, and the Mayoress will be attending the new group's inaugural get-together at Greyfriars in Ringwood on Wednesday, 21 March from 2pm. Local residents will be able to come along and chat informally to like-minded people about their interests and join or initiate groups. Refreshments will be provided,

After an earlier exploratory meeting several volunteers formed a steering committee which is now actively engaged in setting up the Ringwood U3A group. Peter Jackson, steering committee chairman said, “We have received over forty suggestions for groups, from crafts to computers, languages to photography, aviation history to walking and caravanning, and the committee are currently working on which we can pursue in our first year.

“Several people have already come forward to lead groups, but there is room for more. Former teachers and lecturers often enjoy being able to continue as tutors in the less formal role of the U3A, and there are others who have a particular interest who would like to lead a group of their own. We will be able to use the resources of the U3A nationally to give them plenty of support.”

For those not familiar with the concept, U3As are self-help, self-managed, learning, creative and leisure interest groups for people no longer in full time work. The word 'University' is used to include people coming together to share and pursue learning in all its forms. No academic qualifications are required or given, and all members can be both teachers and learners. They provide opportunities for members to share experiences and to pursue their interests, not for qualifications, but for enjoyment. All the activities are run by the members themselves co-ordinated by members who have offered to be group leaders, which allows membership fees to be kept to a minimum.

U3A membership is not related to a specific age but to a period in one’s life sometimes known as the ‘age of active retirement’. Anybody in their ‘third age’ can join a U3A, including people who are working part time. There is no lower age for membership.

More details are on the website www.u3asites.org.uk/ringwood.