Whitby Whalers u3a celebrates volunteers

Like all u3as across the country, Whitby Whalers u3a is dependent on members who step forward to stand on the committee and run u3a groups. In this article they say thank you to one of those volunteers.

 Whitby Whalers u3a, like all u3as across the country, is run by volunteers. The management committee works alongside activity leaders, those preparing and serving refreshments, writing newsletters, managing funds, arranging room bookings, organising publicity.

Maureen, who has been a member of the Whalers since 2012, is one of these volunteers. She was particularly attracted by the variety of groups on offer and having recently retired it was an opportunity to try out new interests that she had never previously had time for. She especially enjoyed the choice of language classes.

For several years she has led the TOAST (The Out and About Socialising Together) group. There are an incredible 78 members of the group and on the first Saturday of each month they meet at the Penny Hedge to decide the programme for the weeks ahead.

Maureen comes with her ideas as well as collecting them from those attending. She then organises the events, which means arranging timings, making bookings, collecting names, taking menu orders, distributing tickets, giving directions and parking information, dealing with cancellations and more.

This is often for several events a month. These include meals out, theatre / cinema outings, trips to areas of interest plus anything else that might be suggested.

This group is a wonderful opportunity for u3a members to socialise and get to know others. It’s particularly nice for those who are on their own to have people to take trips and eat out with. It’s great for those who have recently moved to Whitby to make new friends and learn about the local area. And even for those who have lived in the area all their lives the group often finds new and interesting places to explore.

Running Whitby Whaler's u3a TOAST group is not the only volunteer work Maureen has been involved with. After retiring from 39 years in the Civil Service, working across many areas of the country in a variety of roles, she started volunteering with the (as then) WRVS doing the local hospital trolley service until she moved to Whitby, where she volunteered at The Coliseum Community Centre, running several dedicated computer courses and also covering anywhere else she was needed including the café and reception.

As well as TOAST, she now volunteers in the library as an IT Buddy.

Whitby Whalers u3a thanks and celebrates Maureen and each and every person who has given their time to volunteering.

To find out more : www.u3asites.org.uk/whitby Please visit the Whalers art group exhibition at the Coliseum on 8th June from 10am – 2pm