Haywards Heath & District U3A

U3A stands for University of the Third Age and is for people who want to keep active in mind and body, and are no longer in full time employment. No one has to stop learning just because they have stopped working.

There is first age learning at school, college and university, second age learning when skills are learnt at work and third age learning when people are free to choose what they learn. In U3A groups of people come together to study subjects of mutual interest. Learning is interpreted in its broadest sense and subjects do not have to be academic. Some people take up subjects they have not touched since their school days. Many more turn to things they have always wanted to do but never had the chance. U3A Members are typically busy people, leading at least as full and satisfying lives as when they worked full-time.  They have a continuing sense of achievement with something to look forward to every day.

The U3A is a self-help, self managed, lifelong learning co-operative with members participating in activities in numerous ways.  

Members share knowledge, skills and experience, and  contribute to the organisation by different means. Some enjoy giving talks and sharing their knowledge and others are prepared to help in administrative and practical ways.  

U3As are different from other educational establishments and courses in that:

- there is no curriculum – people learn what they wish

- there are no entrance qualifications – a desire to learn is all that is needed

- there are no exams or certificates – people enjoy  learning but do not need to prove they have done it

- there are no terms – U3A groups decide their own times to meet

- there is no campus – U3A groups often use members’ homes or rent public halls for meetings.

Information leaflets for Haywards Heath U3A are available from Haywards Heath Library.

Click here for a membership application form

The renewal form is on the Members page.

For more information on the National U3A click here www.u3a.org.uk.

The website includes details of  events put on by the national organisation around the country

Our U3A Motto:

“We learn at leisure and study for pleasure”

  Who are we?
 

  Regular Meetings

Last updated on 9 September 2019

SOCIAL AFTERNOONS

Social Afternoons for members are arranged during the year in  the Studio Room at Clair Hall in Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, from 2.00 to  4.00

These are open to all members and will take the form of a presentation by a member or outside speaker for about an hour, followed by tea/coffee and biscuits and the opportunity to mingle and talk to other members.

Programme for 2019:

30th September. Howard Marchant. Outdoor Music (Musique en plein air)

U3A OPEN QUARTERLY MEETINGS

These are held for all members, their guests and members of the public’, and are held every three months and are advertised in our Newsletter. Sometimes there is an outside speaker on a topic of general interest, and at other meetings we may have several members talking about a special topic or on a particular theme. The dates for 2019 are:

Venue: Clair Hall, Haywards Heath

Time: 2.00 4.30pm

Admission is just £1 to include tea and biscuits, everyone is welcome.

25th October talk by Peter Leigh

GROUPS MEETINGS

Quarterly meetings are held in the Function Suite, Clair Hall at 9.45am for Group Leaders and Convenors. The dates for 2019 are:

- Wednesday 11th September

- Thursday 12th December

U3A INSURANCE POLICIES

Group Leaders, Conveners and Members are advised to read the document “Overview of  The Insurance Policies Provided by the Third Age Trust for U3As”, an updated version of which has recently been received from the Third Age Trust. It is recommended that you take copies for yourselves and compare with copies previously handed out. This document is available in pdf format here.

24 HOUR LEGAL ADVICE

Arc Legal Assistance - U3A Helpline

The details are as follows:-

Arc Legal Assistance in partnership with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors

Telephone number 0344 770 1040

Quote -  U3A Legal Helpline

VIRTUAL U3A

The Virtual U3A (vU3a), which went live in January 2009, is an online-only U3A, affiliated to the Third Age Trust. One of its principal aims is to provide the U3A experience for those who are rendered isolated in some way by circumstances or geography and unable to play a full part in a terrestrial U3A. More information is available on the public website www.vu3a.org where one can also apply for membership. Why not pay it a visit? And if you know of anyone who might benefit, please pass the information on.
 
 

  General U3A Notices

Haywards Heath & District U3A now has over 1000 members and over 80 groups covering a broad range of interests.

Click here for the complete list of our groups with links to their meeting days and venues.

If you require any further information about the groups please email Susanne Roberts – Groups’ Coordinator – hhu3agroups@gmail.com  or Tel: 01444-459982

Please note the above email address and telephone number are not for membership enquiries - please use

hhu3amembershipsecretary@gmail.com instead

  What’s new.......

The Third Age Trust is the national representative body for U3As in the UK.

It underpins the work of local U3As by providing educational and administrative support to their management committees and to individual members and assists in the development of new U3As across the UK. It is managed by a National Executive Committee and is funded mainly by annual subscriptions paid by U3As on a per capita basis, with the occasional grant for a specific purpose.

U3As are independently managed charitable associations with their own constitutions. Membership of the Third Age Trust is a requirement in order to use the U3A name and logo both of which are protected but once registered, providing the aims and guiding principles of the organisation are adhered to, local U3As are self governing.The Third Age Trust is based in Bromley and contact details are as follows:-

The Third Age Trust,

U3A National Office,

52 Lant Street,

London SE1 1RB

Tel: 020 8466 6139    Email: national.office@u3a.org.uk  

Website: www.u3a.org.uk

RESOURCE CENTRE

The Third Age Trust runs a Resource Centre for members and there is an excellent collection of colour slides, videos and DVDs which may be borrowed. For further information see the website or tel: 020 8315 0199. Email address is resource.centre@u3a.org.uk. The centre is open Mon-Thurs from 9.30am-4pm.

U3A SUBJECT NETWORKS

There are a number of National Subject Advisers who are available to give support to U3A groups throughout the country. You can contact these advisors directly on the Third Age Trust website and download the latest subject newsletters or see list in Third Age Matters.

THIRD AGE MATTERS and SOURCES

The magazine, Third Age Matters is produced five times a year and contains information about U3A nationally and about the activities of local branches.

The  publication called Sources is published three times a year and each edition concentrates on a specific topic and provides useful information to groups.

Both of these publications are sent direct to members.

OTHER THIRD AGE TRUST SERVICES FOR MEMBERS

Residential Summer Schools are run in various parts of the country and online courses are available for members to access. For further information see the Third Age Trust website.

TAT Newsletter: U3A Members can sign up for the TAT Newsletter on the latter website.

  Forthcoming events for your diary

NEWSLETTERS

Our HH U3A Newsletters are listed on the MEMBERS page and can be read by L-clicking on them and entering the Username and Password, which are case sensitive.

Please send articles to newsletter@haywardsheathu3a.org.uk

Please note that the closing date for entries in our next Newsletter is 1st September  2019,

U3A HQ Newsletters - these are available via the link to the archive at https://www.u3a.org.uk/about/newsletter

• 19th September: Information Meeting 2-4.30 Clair Hall
• 30th September: Social Afternoon 2-4 Clair Hall
• 20th October: Silver Sunday Tea Party  2-4 King Edward Hall

 Sussex U3A Network  - SUN

 Third Age Trust (TAT)

SUN is an organisation to which all Sussex U3As belong.  Representatives from all Sussex U3As meet to discuss matters of interest and exchange ideas. It also provides contact with our regional representative on the Third Age Trust committee.

Further information about SUN can be found under the SUN tab at top of this page or by clicking here.

SUN Rep:  Diana Cawdery 01444 484560

Sergison Arms Pub HH

Earn Commission For Your U3A

If U3A members book their holiday with Riviera Travel they will donate 10% of the final cost to our U3A.

NB: you must mention the name of your U3A when you book and they do advertise in Third Age Matters.

The 2019-20 Groups Information Booklet is now available on the Members webpage (9/9/19)

Details of a new Spanish Beginners group now on Spanish webpage (6/9/19)

Change of venue for Mah Jong 2 - details on Mah Jong webpage (6/9/19)

Details of the Garden group programme for 2019-20 now on Gardens webpage (6/9/19)

Details of the September walk now on the Walks webpage (6/9/19)

Details of the September Saunters now on the Saunters webpage (6/9/19)

Details of the August Walk are now on the Walks webpage (19/8/19)

Information about monthly meetings organised by the Hurst, Hassocks and Ditchling U3A that can be attended by Haywards Heath U3A members  can be accessed above (18/9/19)

Information about the new RUGS group now on home page (18/8/19)

Information about Information Meetings now on home page (18/8/19)

The programme for the Ancient Civilisations Group has been updated - details on their webpage (18/8/19)

Details of the August Saunters are now on the Saunters webpage (29/7/19)

INFORMATION MEETINGS

Information meetings are designed to provide information about things that are relevant to everyday life, with the opportunity for a Q&A session. There will be a short refreshment break.

These meetings will be held in the Studio Room at Clair Hall in Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, from 2.00 to  4.30 and are free. These meetings are not open to the general public.

Programme for 2019:

19th September: Wills and LPAs

8th November: Scams

  RUG - Really Useful Group

This Group consists of U3A members who are willing to help out on an Ad Hoc basis at meetings and events with Really Useful Tasks, such as registration, greeting members and guests, selling raffle tickets, helping with refreshments and many other tasks.  All these are essential in helping your U3A run smoothly.  The group has no regular meetings but Mary will consider a get together after 6 months to see how we are doing.  If you would like to find out more, or join the Group, please contact Mary Armour—hhu3asec@hotmail.com

  Hurst, Hassocks and Ditchling U3A

Hurst, Hassocks and Ditchling U3A hold monthly meetings that are open to members of Haywards Heath U3A on production of their membership cards.

Details for 2019/20 can be found here