Tag: University of the Third Age

A world of learning just a click away with u3a’s Interest Groups Online

From Ancient Rome to Astronomy, and Fashion to Crime Fiction, there is something to tantalise the taste buds of anyone wishing to learn something new with Interest Groups Online.     

The u3a movement is for those no longer in full-time work who have time to spare, a desire to learn and would like to make new social connections.    

Interest Groups Online is the online learning service of the organisation and from 2nd to 6th of October, there will be a series of free sessions open to non-members to try out the wealth of fascinating groups available.     

Stephen, from Edinburgh, is in several groups, including Slow French. He says: “Interest Groups Online is excellent for languages, whether you’re learning, improving, or keeping your existing skills alive. 

“C’est parfait pour mour, (it’s perfect for me) and my late in life ambition to be bilingual.” 

Stephen is one of five members who talk about their positive experience of Interest Groups Online in this short film.

Members can join as a complementary service to their local in-person u3a membership or as a standalone membership. From October, Interest Groups Online membership is just £6 for 6 months and members will have access to over 75 different groups across a wide range of topics.  

Visit the Interest Groups Online page to browse all groups. For more information, visit www.u3a.org.uk 

Laughter Yoga is the best medicine for older adults at u3a

“Hold on to your seats because it gets really, really weird!”  

Those are the opening words of Judith, the u3a’s laughter yoga expert at one of her exhilarating online classes. Laughter Yoga is just one of the exciting subjects that u3a members can take part in when they join.   

u3a is for those who no longer work full time and have the desire to learn new things, have fun and make new friends. 

From 16th to 24th of September groups across the UK will showcase the exciting activities during u3a Week with taster sessions and online talks from high-profile guests, including positive ageing influencer Carl Honore, to give potential new members a taste of the enjoyment that can be had from joining u3a.  

Judith lives in Edinburgh but runs an online laughter yoga group where members can take part from the comfort of their own homes. It’s open to anyone who joins u3a and would like to put a spring in their step and start the day with a burst of positivity.  

The group has been running for 11 years and is going from strength-to-strength. Judith says: “Laughter is the best medicine. It’s not about ridicule, it’s playful, uncomplicated, joyful laughter. 

“It is a safe space where we can laugh without inhibitions for as long as we like.  

“We laugh every day for about 10-15 minutes, and it encourages a positive outlook and helps you deal with the stress and challenges of life. 

“When we laugh the body sends messages to the brain which releases endorphins, and we feel wonderful without even trying. It sends out happy hormones which make you feel good all day.” 

Laughter yoga is just one of the many hundreds of interest groups whose members across the UK that are gearing up for all sorts of events to let communities know what their u3as have on offer during u3a Week.

There will be concerts, alfresco wine tasting, market stalls and picnic plus much more.  

By joining u3a you can try everything from Egyptology to creative writing and sea shanties for an average of less than £20 per year. You can watch a short film about Hayling u3a’s Island Shanty group. 

For information on what your local u3a, visit www.u3a.org.uk  

Ten budding dramatists, all thanks to u3a online playwriting course

TEN new plays are deep in the throes of being rehearsed, each play crafted by a debutant dramatist who signed up for a ten-week ‘Write that play!’, course set up by u3a.

All but one of this Online Across Scotland (OAS) u3a group had never written a play before. But on Wednesday (26 May), they, plus their families and friends, will be able to watch professional actors perform live extracts from these novel works, on Zoom!

The budding talents of each new dramatist have been fostered by Richard Peoples, assisted by Laure Paterson, of Citadel Arts.

As the author of 30 staged plays, alongside his acting and directing skills, Richard has relished leading this new venture.

Richard said: “The pandemic presented u3a with a huge logistical challenge. Our members could not travel or meet face to face for months. So, Online Across Scotland u3a was initiated as an additional learning and social tool.

“Members of my group are from various parts of Scotland. Going online let us interact, despite lockdowns. We could arrange performances of the plays, which are at an early stage of development, thanks to a joint venture between OAS u3a and Citadel Arts.

“This Edinburgh-based theatre group has provided funding for pre-publicity and to pay the actors. It’s been an interesting and successful experiment in running a playwriting course aimed mainly at novice playwrights. We plan to run it again from September.”

The ‘Write that play!’ group members live in Edinburgh, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, Fife, Argyll, Perthshire and the Borders.

The themes of the ten new plays  range from family relationships and social care to crime and pornography.