About U3A
The U3A (University of the Third Age) movement aims to encourage active retirement for women and men in their 'third age' by providing for their cultural, social, physical and intellectual interests. Members are people wanting to continue learning and share activities in an informal friendly atmosphere.
​
U3A is a learning cooperative concept for older people enabling members to share many educational, creative and leisure activities. Activities are organised mainly in small groups that meet regularly. Members learn from each other through sharing their knowledge, skills and experience. Although all local U3As remain operationally independent they are members of The Third Age Trust.
U3As offer a combination of opportunities to study, create, socialise and contribute greatly to members’ overall health and wellbeing.
The U3A Movement is non-religious and non-political and has three main principles:
1
Membership of a U3A is open to all in their third age, generally aged 55 years and older
2
Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a U3A.
3
Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a U3A can do so.
Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire - by the members, for the members.
Each U3A is a mutual aid organisation operationally independent but a member of The Third Age Trust which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the U3A Movement. Each U3A has their own constitution. Information about other U3As can be found on the Canterbury U3A and New Zealand U3A websites.
Each U3A is self-funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible.