Great Ideas from U3As

Hilary Jones, Chair of the Development Committee, has looked at some of the great U3A ideas for keeping learning and connected across the movement.

A virtual cocktail party – live concert on Zoom – ukulele group strumming in the garden! These are a few of the wonderful ways our U3As and their members are keeping connected during lockdown.

There are some great ideas – many using technology – which has encouraged our members to become more tech savvy. Choir practices, quizzes, discussions, line dancing, photographic competitions, virtual tours of art galleries. Pilates, walking groups, craft and gardening tips shared. Some U3As are beginning to hold virtual open meetings with a speaker. One U3A has formed a multi-disciplinary group – they picked a theme and many of the groups in their U3A made a contribution. The results of their first collection was inspiring.

Many U3As are sending regular newsletters with information about groups but also about local information- delivery of groceries and medicines. They are setting up telephone trees to ensure members on their own and those who do not use a computer are kept connected too. Newsletters are posted out as well as using email. Those U3As with Beacon have found it very helpful in keeping in touch with their members.

Some of these are done by their U3A, some by the interest groups. Speakers have been found who will do a Zoom presentation for a U3A and these are proving popular. What is even better is that some U3As are joining forces to share the presentation. Time for a discussion after, too.

Many are offering help to their members to get to grips with technology – it opens up new horizons and possibilities as well as the ability to contact family and friends. WhatsApp and Facebook have been used after reassurances about security are given.

Check out the links on the national website series - Ideas to keep Learning – there are more great ideas there.

How have you stayed connected during the lockdown? We would like to hear from U3As and members so we can share it with our wider U3A community.     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.