History of the U3A
The U3A had its origins in 1973 in France, where local U3A's were guided by the local university. In 1981, a Cambridge academic, Peter Laslett, hosted a conference to discuss bringing the U3A to the UK. In drawing up the objects and principles of the U3A, Laslett rejected the French model and its links to universities.
While the French model remains the typical approach to organising U3A's in continental Europe, the self-help model favoured by Laslett has been widely adopted by Commonwealth countries.
The first U3A in the UK was established in Cambridge in 1982 and a national committee was also set up. It consisted of three members, including Peter Laslett, plus a representative from Age Concern who was the executive secretary and the only employee. Most of the initial funding came through a grant of £9,000 from the Nuffield Foundation.
From these beginnings, the U3A has expanded steadily and today there are over 1000 local U3A's in the UK, with over 384,000 members. Northern Ireland has 25 groups, with over 6,000 members.
The U3A movement in the UK is affiliated to the AIUTA/IAUTA (International Association of Universities of the Third Age), based in the founding university in Toulouse.
The U3A had its origins in 1973 in France, where local U3A's were guided by the local university. In 1981, a Cambridge academic, Peter Laslett, hosted a conference to discuss bringing the U3A to the UK. In drawing up the objects and principles of the U3A, Laslett rejected the French model and its links to universities.
While the French model remains the typical approach to organising U3A's in continental Europe, the self-help model favoured by Laslett has been widely adopted by Commonwealth countries.
The first U3A in the UK was established in Cambridge in 1982 and a national committee was also set up. It consisted of three members, including Peter Laslett, plus a representative from Age Concern who was the executive secretary and the only employee. Most of the initial funding came through a grant of £9,000 from the Nuffield Foundation.
From these beginnings, the U3A has expanded steadily and today there are over 1000 local U3A's in the UK, with over 384,000 members. Northern Ireland has 25 groups, with over 6,000 members.
The U3A movement in the UK is affiliated to the AIUTA/IAUTA (International Association of Universities of the Third Age), based in the founding university in Toulouse.
The Third Age Trust
The Third Age Trust, established in 1983, is the national representative body for U3A's in the UK. It is both a limited company and a registered charity. It underpins the work of local U3A's by providing educational and administrative support to their management committees and to individual members, and assists in the development of new U3A's.
The Trust is managed by a National Executive Committee which consists of a Chairman, three other Officers and 12 representatives from the UK regions. It is funded mainly by annual subscriptions paid by member U3A's on a per capita basis, with the occasional grant for specific projects. It has seven full-time and seven part-time staff and is located in Bromley, Kent.
National Office Contact Details:
Third Age Trust
52 Lant Street
London SE1 1RB
Tel: 020 8466 6139 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.00pm)
Website: www.u3a.org.uk
Resource Centre for both administrative and materials support. Tel: 020 8315 0199 (Tuesday to Thursday, 9.30am - 4.00pm)
The Third Age Trust, established in 1983, is the national representative body for U3A's in the UK. It is both a limited company and a registered charity. It underpins the work of local U3A's by providing educational and administrative support to their management committees and to individual members, and assists in the development of new U3A's.
The Trust is managed by a National Executive Committee which consists of a Chairman, three other Officers and 12 representatives from the UK regions. It is funded mainly by annual subscriptions paid by member U3A's on a per capita basis, with the occasional grant for specific projects. It has seven full-time and seven part-time staff and is located in Bromley, Kent.
National Office Contact Details:
Third Age Trust
52 Lant Street
London SE1 1RB
Tel: 020 8466 6139 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5.00pm)
Website: www.u3a.org.uk
Resource Centre for both administrative and materials support. Tel: 020 8315 0199 (Tuesday to Thursday, 9.30am - 4.00pm)