U3a

Keep_pedalling

robin61 wrote: »

I retired last year aged 57. I was wondering the same thing so I went along to the local monthly meeting. It was very busy, could hardly get in the car park. I really couldn't see anyone there anywhere near my age I guess the average looked like well into their 70s. To be honest I didn't bother going in. Maybe I should have given it a chance but to be honest so far I've been really busy and am enjoying being retired.
I would say find out when they meet and see what it's like in your area. You can always walk if it's not for you.

I am a member of U3A Cambridge which has a lot of courses on offer, and you should not be put off by the average age of the members, people only sign up for individual courses because they have an interest in that particular subject or activity, and it is that common interest that people come together for not to be with other people of the same age.

If anyone from my neck of the woods is interested all our courses can be found on the following link.

https://u3ac.org.uk/courses/?category=49

t0rt0ise

I belong to the London branch which has classes running all day every week day. It is said to be for retired and semi-retired from age 55 but there's no real hard age limit. All different ages go and although a lot are in their 70s, 70 doesn't have to be old anymore. I'm not that old, in that context I'm just a youngster. I have made several friend there, we go to a class and have coffee in the cafe afterwards.

westv

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

If anyone from my neck of the woods is interested all our courses can be found on the following link.

https://u3ac.org.uk/courses/?category=49

A huge amount there.

ouraggie

I am 56 and recently joined our local U3A. I am probably the youngest member. I have been to 3 interest groups and the monthly meeting so far. Average age is 65-70 but most people I have met so far are very active and wanting to use their brain I reckon most of them have more get up and go than my younger friends!
I would advise trying all the groups near to you. You may get very different experiences.The first two I attended were a much older clientele and the first one nearly put me off completely as I was completely ignored. When I arrived I said to the lady on the desk that I had spoken to X X on the phone and she had suggested I come along today,, and that I was thinking of joining. She looked surprised and then said "ok. Do you want to find yourself a seat somewhere and get a cup of tea. "". She didnt explain where the tea was (in a separate side room). I went in and said brightly "Hello, I am told that I can get a cup of tea from you two ladies". They both looked at me expressionless and one poured a cuppa. I had to ask where the milk was. As I walked away with my tea the other one said ""We do make a charge of 30p" in a tone which implied I was doing a runner without paying.. They all seemed to know each other. I said hi to the lady sat next to me and said that I was here for the first time, and thinking of joining. She said " Oh, I thought we were full. Obviously not." She then saw her friend coming over and turned away from me. She didn't introduce herself or her friend (is that just me? I would have done this just out of courtesy) and no one else spoke to me either. At the end I was filing out past the desk lady, who saw me and said bye, but didn't ask me how I'd got on. She was actually talking to the lady I had phoned (she had a name badge) but she didn't point me out to her. I could have introduced myself but by this point I had decided that this was not the group for me so I just left.
At the one I eventually joined there was a large notice in the entrance saying welcome to any prospective or new members, and a suggestion to introduce yourself to one of the people wearing a blue lanyard. I did this and he welcomed me and said "I hope you'll like us and want to join. Now, have you met anyone yet?" When I said no he grabbed three nearby ladies and said " Meet Hetty, Evelyn and Val. This is ouraggie. Can you show her where to get a cuppa and introduce her to some members?" . They asked me what were my interests and then said " oh, you must speak to Linda. She goes to the Spanish conversation group" etc etc. I joined that U3A the same day and have not been disappointed.

enthusiasticsaver

I belong to the local U3A in my local town in SE Cornwall. I am 59 but joined soon after I retired when I was 58. As far as I know there is no hard limit on age but everyone is retired there as far as I know. There are lots of different interest groups but I do not like to tie myself up too much so for now I have just joined the more active walkers groups which do 5-8 mile hikes and the garden group which organises visits. I already knew someone who belonged and she introduced me to people the first visit and everyone was very friendly. The walkers are very gregarious and I get to speak to lots of them. Not cliquey at all and I have visited places I have never been to in 30 years of living in Cornwall. Well worth joining regardless of your interests. I would have to say that most are in their 60s and 70s so I am one of the youngest.

westv

My local U3A website shows they do the following


Book Circle
Dutch Intermediate
French Beginners/Improvers
French Conversation
Weekly Italian Beginners
Philosophy
Thursday Group


Quite limited really.

Keep_pedalling

westv wrote: »

My local U3A website shows they do the following


Book Circle
Dutch Intermediate
French Beginners/Improvers
French Conversation
Weekly Italian Beginners
Philosophy
Thursday Group


Quite limited really.

All course leaders are local members, and we are lucky to have lots of retired academics and professionals in Cambridge willing to share their knowledge and lead a course, so we get a great variety of of courses to sign up for.

Any member can offer to run their own course. I have not been brave enough for that yet, but I do run quite a number of session on my Natural History group, where we share to load around, and I have also presented a few sessions on our Jazz on a Monday Afternoon group. A group I joined with very little knowledge of jazz a few years back.

Brynsam

westv wrote: »

My local U3A website shows they do the following


Book Circle
Dutch Intermediate
French Beginners/Improvers
French Conversation
Weekly Italian Beginners
Philosophy
Thursday Group


Quite limited really.

Then volunteer to run a group and expand the choice!

JoeEngland

Finally got a response from my local U3A who says that I would be one of their youngest members. They have lots of groups, so when I'm finally out of the time straitjacket called work in a few weeks I'll probably try a couple.