It was a long afternoon at Garforth Garden Centre, and there was a long line to go with it. The sunlight was streaming through the large glass windows… and those over 65 were out in full force. After waiting for a little while, I gained my blueberry sparkling water and chocolate cake, and made my way to the table where representatives of the group U3A were sitting.
“I’m Penny Brighten, and I’m the current Chair of the Garforth and Kippax and District U3A.”
“And I’m Sue Lakin, I look after publicity, groups coordination, and I also am a convenor for three groups.”
I was told how the U3A started, and where it has been since that moment.
“The U3A generally in this country started around 1972. Garforth, Kippax and District started in late 2017 and was ratified by the national U3A in July 2018. We’ve grown, just under 100 members when it first opened, and there was a steering group who then became the main committee. I look at what’s national and then just rejig that.
We started off fairly quietly, with about three or four groups, and gradually over the years we evolved and we now have 320 members. We now advertise on Facebook and we’ve got a website which is really good… front-facing. We’re all volunteers. Run by the members for the members.”
I was told about the ethos of the group and what it represented, too!
“We’re a group of like-minded people no longer in full-time work, that come together for developing or giving new skills. Live, laugh, learn.”
So, are there any age restrictions?
“We don’t have an upper or lower age range. The biggest criteria these days is… not in full-time work and are available to attend the groups that you wish to attend. Which, primarily in our U3A, are daytimes. I think as we grow, hopefully that we will expand to include evening meetings.”
Carers can accompany members there free too!
I was told that the groups tended to be very diverse and accessibility-friendly.
“I think that’s represented in the groups that we have as well.”
Sue runs the Strollers group, Tech it Easy and Motorhome. Penny is the second convenor at U3A Quiz, and one of the convenors at the Crochet and Knitting group.
What are they proudest of?
“The fact that we managed to grow our membership from 269 in March last year to when we started our renewal system this year, we were up to 330 odd, and that is something that we as a committee, have dedicated to doing. Tony (the webmaster) redesigned the website. We hand leaflets out, we have pull-up banners at the library…”
“We’ve (also) grown our interest groups.”
I was told that new groups are open regularly according to member interests, including assisting new members to start running their own groups.
Does the U3A have gender diversity?
“We have. It depends on the group. I have men and ladies in the Strollers and Tech it Easy group.”
“Groups are not closed. If a gentleman comes along and says to me, ‘Penny can I learn crochet?’ Certainly! Come sit here! If someone needs advice on how to get started, it’s there for them!”
The group is also making plans to join X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram. However, they want to keep up with non-digital members too.
“We have to remember that a lot of our members are still not digital.”
“We have non-digital members. We do protect them. We have a handful of members who don’t have email.”
They are kept up to date by post.
“We try to create buddies. In my stroller group, for example, there are two ladies who are non-digital. My mum is a buddy for one of them and I know that another lady now has a buddy that has digital access and she gives her all the information.”
So, how can someone get involved?
“Through the website- if you go into ‘membership’, there’s an online registration form. We’ve got a £15 a year fee. You can come to a monthly meeting- we always have a membership desk at our monthly meetings, which are the first Wednesday in every month and the next one is on the 3rd June.”
“Another thing (someone) can do is come to the activities. We allow people to come to two meetings (before membership is required).”
“They (can also) ring our telephone number or they can email us. Through Facebook even. We put our meetings out on Facebook (their public page).”
So, what would Sue and Penny say to someone wondering whether they should join?
“Come to two meetings. Come and see what we’re about!”
“You’ll be very welcome.”
The Garforth, Kippax and District U3A have more than thirty distinct interest groups. Their website can be found here, their Facebook can be found here, and their number is 07756184441.
All photos are courtesy of Garforth, Kippax and District U3A.
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