The Founding Principles of the u3a movement

The u3a movement is non-religious and non-political and has three main principles:

• The Third Age Principle
  • Membership of a u3a is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a particular age but by a period in life in which full time employment has ceased.
  • Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a u3a.
  • Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a u3a can do so.
• The Self-help Learning Principle
  • Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire; by the members, for the members.
  • No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards.
  • There is no distinction between the learners and the teachers; they are all u3amembers.
• The Mutual Aid Principle
  • 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.
  • No payments are made to members for services rendered to any u3a.
  • Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible.
  • Outside financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the integrity of the u3a movement.

The u3a (University of the Third Age) is an exciting and unique educational movement for people no longer in full-time work. It offers the opportunity to pursue learning for sheer enjoyment and for its own sake.

One of the main aims of the u3a is the continuing education of older people. To this end we run a range of interest groups and expect members to find at least one which they would like to join. Through these shared learning experiences new friendships are formed.

Welcome to Wandsworth u3a which is one of over 1,000 u3as in Britain and many more world-wide. In spite of its name it is not a University - no fixed courses, no exams, only a coming together of people in their Third age who wish to resume old passions or develop new interests now that they have more time.

Wandsworth u3a was founded in 2002 and currently has over 400 members. We are a friendly, welcoming group.
We hold a monthly general meeting, normally with a guest speaker, and currently have over 50 interest groups.

Our members' meetings (normally on third Monday of month and with a guest speaker) now take place in Burridge Gardens Community centre, 10 minutes walk from Clapham Junction . The meetings begin at 2:15pm and end at 4:15pm - we charge £1 to attend, payable by card or cash. For more details, check the Monthly Talks page.

If you would like to come along to meet us, prospective members are welcome to attend one of the monthly members' meetings. For more information, please refer to the events page.