NORTH COTSWOLD U3A
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University of the Third Age
The University of the Third (U3A) is an international, non-political, non-religious organisation providing educational and recreational opportunities for mature people who are either retired or no longer in gainful full-time employment. Formed in France in 1972, the movement has spread worldwide to become the International Association of Universities of the Third Age (IAUTA). The United Kingdom became a member of IAUTA in 1982 (as the Third Age Trust) and there are now over 680 U3As in this country with more than 200,000 members.
Although U3As in the UK are affiliated to the Third Age Trust, each one is a fully autonomous unit with members organising their own activities and making their own decisions through elected committees. They are supported at national level by a headquarters unit situated in London, which offers advice and guidance to groups wishing to set their own U3A. The headquarters unit is also able to provide help to established U3As who want to start new groups within their U3A and to put them in touch with a network of advisors specialising in a wide range of subjects. Resources such as DVDs, Videos, Books and CDs are available on loan from HQ and their staff co-ordinate a number of activities throughout the year, including summer schools, activity week-ends and overseas tours.
If you want to know more about the University of the Third Age, including details of the U3As in your area, log on to:
Other U3As close to the area covered by North Cotswold U3A are:
Evesham - www.u3a-evesham.org.uk
Stratford upon Avon - www.geocities.com/sonau3a
Fairford - http://www.fairfordu3a.org.uk
Ledbury & District - http://www.ledburyu3a.org.uk
Tewkesbury & District - http://www.tewkesburyu3a.org.uk
Cheltenham - http://www.cheltenhamu3a.org.uk
Cirencester -http://www.cirencesteru3a.org.uk