Mike Eppel from the Enfield branch of U3A explains the benefits of joining the organisation

University of the Third Age (U3A) is a charitable organisation within the UK that provides the opportunity for those who have retired from work to come together and learn for fun.

There are many branches across the country, totalling a membership of over 430,000 people nationwide. It is an organisation for socialising but at the same time providing a forum for developing existing interests or exploring and learning new ideas and skills.

Our motto is “learn, laugh, live”. Every year we hold a national U3A Day which celebrates and promotes our organisation. This year we will have an information stall set up in Palace Gardens Shopping Centre in Enfield Town on Saturday, 16th September, between 10am and 3pm.

Our own local branch of Enfield U3A was established in 1994 and has a thriving membership of over 350 people. It continues to grow in numbers. In keeping with the aim of the U3A movement, we bring people together to make new friends, develop their existing interests and learn new ones in an informal relaxed environment. This may be in a member’s home, a local church hall or even a pub.

We do not sit any exams; everything we do is purely for fun. At present, we have 32 active groups with varying activities and are adding more groups to our list of activities all the time. The groups range from board games, to language learning, to handicrafts, to theatre visits, to art appreciation and much more.

For example, we have a West End Theatre group who recently went to see the new musical Bonnie and Clyde. Another group visited the Chelsea Physic Garden where a well-informed guide told the group about the role plants play in human life. Yet another group donned their finery and took off for Royal Ascot where a fun day was had by one and all betting on the horses.

Our stall in September will feature a number of our groups and give you more information about them. So, come along, have a look and consider joining our organisation.

For more information about U3A Enfield:
Visit u3asites.org.uk/enfield

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