Founded in 1982, u3a is a UK-wide movement of locally-run interest groups that provide a wide range of opportunities to come together to learn for fun. Members explore new ideas, skills and activities together.
There are over one thousand u3as, of which Derby u3a is one. In the UK in total there are over 450,000 members. The u3a national body – the Third Age Trust - looks after all the u3as in the UK, providing educational and administrative support. The Trust is overseen by a Board of Directors, to which any u3a member may be elected.
u3amatters magazine is published five times a year and posted direct to all Derby members’ homes if they wish to receive it. It is packed with stories about members and u3a activities, plus celebrity interviews and features on technology, recipes, travel, competitions, and a lively and popular letters section.
Live later life to the full - a new u3a film
Watch an animated film which showcases the community and fun to be found within u3a. So take a moment to get a cup of tea and enjoy the film. Please do share far and wide with friends and family to get the message out about how wonderful u3a is.
National events
MEMBERS ONLY! Although the u3a Festival is now fully booked, you can still take part in the fun of u3a Festival 26 from home with u3a Festival Fringe. This special programme of online events has been specifically curated to complement the in person activities of u3a Festival 26, so if you can't be there in York, you can still enjoy the celebration. Book your place on any of these events on the u3a website -https://www.u3a.org.uk/what-we-do/events/festival-2026
National groups and resources
Interest Groups Online (IGO) has over 1000 members and offers over 100 online groups which are run by members for members, just as with local u3as. Most groups meet on Zoom, but some use email or Whats App. To join a group, you must join Interest Groups Online. Annual membership costs £12 (£6 if you join halfway through the year).
Oversights Looking to find out if there is a u3a group near you for something you are interested in? Interested to see how many other groups there are for a minority subject? Oversights is a popular facility from Site Builder to search for u3as, groups and events nationwide. It now has its own dedicated SiteWorks site at https://oversights.u3asite.uk/
The report - 'Learn to Live: A blueprint for better health and wellbeing' - shines a light on the u3a non-formal learning model and the benefits for promoting and maintaining happy, healthy lives. Watch a YouTube video, produced by the u3a Notts Network at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkkBF_aP9-s or read the report at https://www.u3a.org.uk/our-impact/u3a-reports/learn-to-live