Why join Braintree Area u3a?
- Braintree Area u3a is part of The u3a is a UK-wide collection of 1000+ locally-run groups.
- Provides opportunities for those no longer in full-time work to come together and develop new interests, learn new skills, stay active, make new friends and have fun.
- 300 plus members.
- Interest and activity groups to take part in.
- Programme of outings to shows, concerts and places of historical or general interest.
- A general meeting for all members held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2 – 4pm, at the Bocking Arts Theatre, with an invited speaker. Please see the Events page for further details.
Benefits of joining Braintree Area u3a
- With an annual membership you can attend any meeting, activity, group and outing for the duration of your membership. These provide a wide range of opportunities to come together to learn for fun. Members can enjoy exploring new ideas, learning new skills, and taking part in activities together.
- For some activity/learning groups there is no additional cost, such as those in members' homes, some share costs of room hire and some have extra costs such as outings which may have extra costs for entry tickets and coach hire.
- You can join or renew your annual Membership by mail, email or in person at a monthly meeting.
- Further information and the Braintree Area u3a newsletters are available on the Documents page.
- Our members of the Committee are happy to provide further information.
Braintree Area u3a has its own members' only Facebook group. You will see posts about group activities and general information. It is a way for group members to keep in touch. Any queries about Facebook please contact the Website Editor.
To join the Group please have your membership number handy as you will need to provide this when you apply to be a member.
Braintree U3A Facebook Public Page
There is also a public Braintree U3A page which advertises Braintree Area U3A. The Braintree Area U3A Page includes contact details and links for prospective members to find out more information and like us
The wider u3a
Braintree Area u3a is part of the the wider u3a organisation which was originally founded in 1973 in France and then came to the UK 1982.
The aim was to encourage groups of people no longer in full-time work to come together and continue their enjoyment of learning subjects of interest to them.
The guiding principles were to promote non-formal learning through self-help interest groups covering a wide range of topics and activities as chosen by their members.
There is no minimum age, but a focus on people who are no longer in full-time employment or raising a family. The founders envisaged a collaborative approach with peers learning from each other. There would be no distinction between the learners and the teachers – everyone could take a turn at being both if they wished.
In 2022 The u3a had its 40th Anniversary of the movement in the UK.