This page gives an idea of what holds our u3a together plus details of support documents and agencies which may help to make general life a little easier.
Please access our AGM reports etc by clicking here.
There is access to a Membership Form, some notes on the Beacon Membership Management System and the Members Portal, BACS details to pay fees or expenses, and items on permission for use of photographs, or contacts in a First Aid emergency.
Membership
Membership of the u3a is open to anyone no longer in full time work. Many studies have proved that is important for both our mental, as well as our bodily. health that we should take every opportunity to make the most of life in our later years. We should find avenues to expand and continue our hobbies or to pick up new ones and learn new skills, engage with new people (to paraphrase W.B. Yeats - There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met), be open to exciting experiences, keep our minds active and most importantly, enjoy life.
LIVE, LAUGH AND LEARN with the u3a
Membership includes free admission to our monthly meetings, access to all our groups, a copy of the quarterly national u3a magazine Third Age Matters (TAM) and monthly newsletter from National u3a, access to research initiatives and support and advice as available from regional and national U3A and, of course, things to do, places to go and people to meet.
Before they become a member of our u3a, prospective members are very welcome to attend any Group for one visit each or make two visits to our monthly meeting. In that case, the visitor fees of £3 to each general meeting will be subtracted from the first subscription payment of £25. The membership form should be downloaded, completed and returned to the Membership Secretary by post, email or at a monthly meeting together with the required fee.
Photography
Are you aware of just how much your daily movements are noticed and recorded? It is estimated that up to 70 times each day, cameras on streets, neighbours doors and commercial buildings capture our whereabouts.
Ownership of any photo taken at a u3a event belongs to the photographer but if you are included in that photo and it is used in a monthly bulletin, on this website, or elsewhere in the u3a, your permission should be sought.
However, all photos used in this website have been used in good faith. If you find we have used your image and would prefer it to be removed, please do contact the Web Manager and this will be done immediately. And, if in general, you would prefer not to appear on the this website, any promotional material or local bulletins, please do let us know.
First Aid
It is an unfortunate fact of life that minor accidents and older people are not a good mix.
We would, of course, administer as much First Aid as possible to any accident or incident at any of our meetings and trips, and alert emergency services and family members (if known) in more severe cases.
However, because of GDPR restrictions, we cannot hold details of personal contacts as a matter of course. We recommend that all members highlight with ICE (In Case of Emergency)in their phone, the name of their desired contact. it's also a good idea to keep a card or note in your purse or wallet giving the name/s of those to be contacted in an emergency, plus basic details of any health problems and current medication.
Beacon
Beacon is the u3a Membership Management System where your personal details are safely stored under GDPR regulations.
Group leaders can access the information and use it to securely send emails to individual members and to make and store lists of names pertinent to various events or visits.
Members, too, have access to their own details, using the Members Portal. They can see the personal information we hold and any current group information re visits or trips. They can update their address and telephone numbers when necessary or as appropriate.
Our Beacon Administrator will be able to help you with this.
Banking
It would very much help our Treasurer if as many payments as possible are made by BACS ie Direct payment from your bank account to the S & D u3a bank account. Details will be distributed by email when membership payment is due and individual Group Leaders will also send the information in the email giving details about visits or trips.
Policies and Procedures
Most of these policies are marked as mandatory by the National u3a and will need to be reviewed over the coming months. As the Committee works their way through them, they will then be presented to members for adoption. If there are any members who would like to be involved in this process, please do get in touch. We'd love your help!
| Data Protection | Privacy | |
| Equality and Protection | Risk Assessment - Venue Based | |
| Safeguarding | Incident Report Form | Insurance (2025) |
| Health and Safety | Charity Constitution | |
| Legitimate Interest - Emergency Contact |
Support Agencies and Strategies.
Lasting Power of Attorney - Finance; Health and Welfare. If you and/or a family member are confident with working on-line and are happy to complete and submit the necessary forms yourself, it is rarely necessary to use a solicitor. And it will save you a great deal of money! Please see attached for guidance, advice and all information; including application forms.
Dementia Support - it is an ever-present concern as we age that we, or someone close to us, develops this difficult condition. The attached website offers information, support and guidance on the way forward
Age Concern - This website offers more information, support and guidance into many things that worry us as we age.
Gov.UK -This page defines the responsibilities, opportunities and challenges of local government. Opportunities include engaging older people and maximising their contribution to local communities. Challenges include promoting healthy ageing, combating loneliness and isolation and ensuring older people receive high quality care when they need it.