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What the u3a Learn to Live report showcases about learning within u3a
Harrogate u3a member Jonathan responds to the recent u3a report, Learn to Live, which explored the positive impact non-formal learning can have.
As a u3a member you may have had a chance to look at the recently published Learn to Live report. I joined the u3a just over two years ago and am now group Leader of the Crime Reading Group. I’d like to tell you more about our group and what we do in a future blog, but in this blog I want to tell you about the report and the important messages in it.
Research tells us that as a nation we are living longer. That is borne out in the wonderful achievements of so many u3a members in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80+ years who are challenging misconceptions about reduced capacities accompanying getting older.
We all have two ages. Our chronological age, which goes up year by year on our birthday, and our biological age, which can increase or decrease depending on how fit and healthy we are. Biological age is calculated by examining the "biomarkers" of ageing in the body and our DNA. Just look in any u3a group and you will see plenty of evidence of members turning back their biological clocks by engaging in activities such as walking, gardening, Tai Chi and so on.
The activities and groups have another important benefit and that is socialisation. Being with others, contributing, working together are vital for building mental health and resilience – so important for combatting feelings of loneliness, especially important as we come out of the difficult Covid-19 times.
The report also champions lifelong learning. This is the fourth pillar of ageing as defined by the World Health Organisation. Many influential organisations view opportunities for learning in later life as essential for active ageing to promote dignity, health and wellness. The report explains the u3a model of learning called ‘non-formal learning’ which is a mixture of formal and informal learning. It applies to everything from archaeology to learning the ukulele. In this, teachers become learners and learners become teachers. I know in my group I have learned so much from my colleagues. This is because the learning is active. We talk. We share ideas. We comment. We refer to other authors and books read. Everyone is learning! A quote I’d like to share from the report is, “A future without non-formal learning would be bleak indeed. It would likely lack people with diverse skills sets, creativity and adaptability”. This is what we do so brilliantly in u3a. We are creative people. We are imaginative people who bring years of experience and wisdom to our groups.
I would encourage you to read Learn to Live. It is well written and positive. It confirms all of the above and shows how our non-formal learning model is highly successful in addressing the challenges of ageing and offers opportunities such as promoting citizenship and fostering community cohesion, friendship and active learning. This is what we do in u3a and we do it well.
Read the u3a report, Learn to Live, on the u3a website.
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