Swindon's branch of the u3a has continued to provide its range of social, academic and sporting activities for the public despite covid, and celebrates its 40th year.
u3a or the University of the Third Age is an international non-profit organisation that offers a range of groups and activities for members of the public to join.
The organisation was set up in 1982, and this year in 2022, it will celebrate 40 years.
Over 1,000 u3a branches can be found within the UK alone, and current annual membership costs in Swindon are £35.
Although there are no age limits the organisation mainly attracts those in the third stage of their lives, who are no longer in employment.
Trustees and committee members for the Swindon u3a, Christopher Ockwell and Gillian Brain, explain what the organisation has to offer people.
Chris said: “We have so many different groups and activities that people can join. We’d like to say we have everything from A to Z but we don’t have any clubs for the letter Z yet - so we say everything from A to Y!
"The u3a strapline or motto is 'Learn Laugh & Live' and this really encapsulates the aims of the organisation.”
Gill said: “One of the things the u3a offers people is the opportunity to share interests and hobbies with like-minded people. This in turn leads to the forming of new friendships. This can be especially important for older people who often find themselves lonely or socially isolated.
"We're an educational charity but the organisation is as much about people meeting and enjoying their interests and hobbies and learning from each other. It's not regimented like a school or workplace environment.”
Like most organisations and businesses, Swindon u3a had to adapt to get through the pandemic. Pre-covid, the branch had around 2,220 members, placing Swindon in the top ten list of the largest u3a groups within the UK.
During lockdown, activities for the Swindon u3a ground to a halt although some groups and members continued to communicate through Zoom to keep things ticking over.
The restart and rebuild post-pandemic, began from July 2021, and membership numbers have now increased to around 1,750. About 180 new members joined in the last year.
Gill said: “We’ve had a year post-covid to try and organise so that people can feel comfortable enough to come to groups safely and we’re also juggling with how we can make things cheaper or at least maintain affordability as inflation rises.
“Even with the rising costs, especially of venue hire, the long-term future of Swindon u3a is assured. New members join us each year!
"I’ve got every confidence that we will come out of these uncertain times as strong as ever.”
Pre-pandemic, Swindon's u3a was running 180 different groups. Currently, they have 150 still running.
The activity groups on offer can be categorised into larger sectors. They include:
- Active
- Arts & Crafts
- Discussion
- Games
- Health & Wellbeing
- History
- Languages
- Literature
- Monthly meeting
- Music
- Natural History
- Science and Technology
- Social
- Travel & Trips
Although the base subscription fee is currently priced at £35 annually an individual can join many free activities, although some groups come with additional costs to cover the hire of the venues, they are held in.
Some u3a groups are held inside the group leader's home, some are held in community centres or halls, and some are based outdoors. This dictates whether there is any additional cost for each individual group.
Gill added: “As an example, I run a French conversation group at my home. About eight of us gather around my dining table and we try to learn and speak French with one another - we all have an interest in the language and some would like the skill for holidays.
“I also run a poetry group at Gorse Hill Community Centre as there are more members to accommodate. We meet to discuss, enjoy, and read poetry."
The Swindon u3a Committee is made up of volunteer trustees who meet up monthly to oversee the running of the branch, and to identify how to best support its group leaders and members.
Chris said: “There are a wealth of volunteering opportunities. u3a needs volunteers to run the groups and volunteer trustees to run the committee. We’re always on the lookout for new people to help out.”
Gill added: "u3a seems to be one of the largest voluntary organisations in the country that nobody has ever heard of! Once people join us, they realise how much there is to offer – a fantastic combination of learning new things, having fun and making new friends."
Trustee Chris says that Swindon u3a believes in the importance of the social support and therapeutic aspects the organisation can provide for people.
He commented: "We think our organisation could be considered by NHS’ social prescribers for some of their patients. We’ve had some success and have met with some of the Swindon social prescribers in the hope they may speak to some of their patients about our organisation, and the benefits of joining u3a especially for people suffering from loneliness or other social issues."
Gillian added: "I gave a talk to some of the social prescribers via Zoom about u3a recently. For some individuals, joining one of our groups might work better than being prescribed anti-depressants.
"If you live alone and find yourself lonely, it can be quite difficult to get yourself out of that situation. By joining the u3a and doing a hobby or activity group, you can enjoy a social group setting, and you’ll be interacting naturally and easily with others and forming friendships."
For those interested in finding out more about the Swindon u3a and the groups on offer, Chris Ockwell hosts a monthly radio show on Swindon 105.5 on the first Tuesday of every month. He invites a different guest from the u3a to join him each month and talk about the groups they are involved with.
More information can be found on the Swindon u3a website at www.swindonu3a.org.uk
Swindon u3a also have a Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/875550859722531
(Above images supplied by u3a)
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