Want to start a new group? If you have an interest, a skill or some specific knowledge (i.e. fluent Greek!) that you would like to share with others, this is what U3A Groups are all about. Some sessions are lead and have a structure, but others are just a group of members with a shared interest who like to meet up and exchange ideas.

Here’s how to go about it: Decide on your area of interest. If you want to know how many people might be interested you could write a short piece for the newsletter asking for people to get in touch, you could contact the committee via the chair and arrange to make an announcement at the monthly meeting and contact the groups co-ordinator to see how they can help publicise your idea. You might also talk to the website editor who can publicise your new group idea in several ways.

Think about where the group would meet. Most meet in members’ homes, but some are out of doors (like bird watching) or use a special venue (like painting or sports). We have a good list of available venues, often free or very low cost, we can help you organise.

Decide on a maximum number for the group, depending on the venue. There is no minimum - just 3 or 4 people is fine.

Many of our groups involve no costs at all or just require organising payment for the space, but grants from the branch may be available for equipment or other one-off outgoings to get a new group going.

Decide what time and day suits you best – but check the groups already running (use the group link above) and try not to clash with anything similar. Don't get too hung up on that though, you'll never please everybody :O)

The Group Leader (it doesn’t have to be you!) needs to keep simple records in an exercise book or similar of the group’s members and attendance, plan sessions with help and agreement from the others, plus keep basic records of any monies involved. It is also advisable to keep members' contact details in case of emergency.

It is fun, stretches your ability, you learn a great deal and will make you more good friends. So give it a go!

It’s never too late to learn.

A list of U3A Subject Advisers can be found in the Third Age Matters publication and on the U3A website.

If you do not have web access you can always contact one of the Committee.