The University of the Third Age
Ashbourne and District
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Frequently Asked Questions What are the age limits for U3A? What qualifications do I need to join? What qualifications are awarded after joining a U3A Study Group? Who are the Study Group leaders? How large an area is covered by Ashbourne & District U3A? What are the age limits for the U3A? NONE.
However you should be in the "Third Age", i.e. have
essentially finished any career or full time work commitments
and either be fully or semi-retired. What qualifications do I need to join? NONE.
Some members will have degrees or other academic or professional
qualifications but others will not have any. All that is needed
is a willingness to share one's knowledge and to learn from others. What qualifications are awarded after joining a U3A Study Group? NONE.
The primary
purpose of Study Groups is to share knowledge and learn together
in a social setting. However it is possible that knowledge gained
within a U3A Study Group could be of value in any other external
course being undertaken. The word "University" is used
in its original sense of people coming together to share and pursue
learning in all its forms for sheer enjoyment and for its own
sake. Who are the Study Group leaders? They
are ordinary members who have volunteered to lead the group because
they have a particular interest/ knowledge/ expertise in the subject.
Some groups may have an organiser with the group members taking
it in turns to lead for a session and input their own skills and
interests. "Those who teach shall
also learn & those who learn shall also teach." The annual subscription to Ashbourne U3A is £10; this includes affiliation to the national body - The Third Age Trust - which can provide a wide range of information and learning resources. See www.u3a.org.uk At our monthly meetings for all members we ask for a contribution of £1 each time you attend to help cover the cost of hall hire; however coffee/tea and biscuits are provided free. We also post a monthly newsletter to members. The
cost involved in different Study Groups varies. For some, where
members meet in each others homes on a rota basis, there probably
is no charge. Others may charge say £1 per session to cover
room/ equipment hire. For groups that travel to different venues
there will be transport costs - either petrol for shared cars
or perhaps a hired minibus. See the Study
Groups page for more information. The
General Meetings are once a month and last about 2 hours. Some
Study Groups meet once a week, others only once a month; generally
their sessions are between 2 and 2½ hours. Obviously visits
to galleries, gardens, concerts or nature reserves could be significantly
longer. Again see the Study Groups
page for more details. How large an area is covered by Ashbourne & District U3A? Our current membership is drawn from the area shown below:-
We welcome anyone, wherever they live, who is interested in our activities.
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Although
54% of our members live in Ashbourne, this means nearly half are
from a much wider area.