Oxfam Shop City Farm fruit Olden Garden
 
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

This page lets you know about wider u3a events and other opportunities that may interest you.

10-11 June, London Open Gardens Weekend: There is an opportunity for 15-20 u3a members to volunteer at some of the gardens participating in London Open Gardens Weekend. Volunteers are assigned to a garden in pairs for a two hour shift (morning or afternoon) on either Saturday or Sunday. You can either volunteer with a friend, or be assigned a partner. You will receive training before the event and help will be available on the day. Volunteers receive a free ticket to visit any of the other gardens that are open during the rest of the weekend. There are over 100 gardens not normally open to the public. See list. You can also enjoy historic-themed guided tours, suggested walking routes and cycling tours. To register interest please email volunteers@londongardenstrust.org, including your name, email, telephone number and postal address with postcode. Please register by 31st May. If not available this year please indicate whether you would like to be contacted next year.

25-26 July, The London Region of U3As Summer School: at the usual venue, the St. Bride’s Foundation Institute, off Fleet St. Activities will include talks, workshops and guided walks. There will be a wide range of subjects to choose from such as Art, Current Affairs, History, Literature, Music, Sciences and Social Studies. See the latest information and status here: SS Update. Booking details are on the London Region website here.

16-24 September 2023, u3a Week: this is the annual national initiative to promote all u3a's. Watch this space for the developing plans of Islington U3A.  

End of Life Planning: in 2019 we started a tie-up with Gentle Dusk regarding End of Life Planning. They have held a number of 'End of Life Planning Cafes' for our members and provided guidance on how to create a Care Plan. You may find their guide useful to help explain some of the terms — read it here: End of Life Planning. Or if you want some supporting information on creating a Care Plan then look at myCMC. For details of their May events look here and for a related research study look here. If you have any queries regarding the Future Matters Service, do get in touch.

MerchandiseMerchandise: there is a wide range of branded u3a merchandise available. You can see the price list here.
You can order this direct yourself through the national website here or through Derek (website.manager@islingtonu3a.org)

Tutoring: do you want to help with tutoring disadvantaged pupils? See here for more information on this worthy cause.

Public Toilets Provision: London wide initiative by Age UK London with the London councils here.

London Age-Friendly Forum (LAFF): The latest report on this London Mayor initiative here.



Nationally — Third Age Trust
The Third Age Trust is the national U3A organisation. It organises events, competitions and other activities for u3a members nationally. Some of these are in London, others across the country. Some get booked up quickly — to hear about events and when booking opens, you should join the Third Age Trust U3A events mailing list. To do so, you must register (it's very straightforward) with the Third Age Trust website, but their latest mailing is here.


Communications: Third Age Trust are moving towards more electronic communication. There is now a free e-newsletter and any member can register for the e-newsletter here. The National Office is trying to raise the profile of the Third Age Trust and to publicise the benefits of u3as. With this in mind they have produced a booklet, which you can read here.

Third Age Matters: Have you consider taking the national magazine, 'Third Age Matters'? It's very good value at just £3.60 for five issues per year. You can tick to receive the magazine when you renew your membership. Or if you missed that option but want to add it now, please contact Joy at iu3amembers@outlook.com.

Interest Groups Online: this started during the Covid-19 pandemic when some UK u3as were shut down or offering only limited activities (then called 'Trust u3a') but as it's proved so popular it will continue. There is a wide range of online interest groups (nearly 70 currently) with members from all over the UK. Annual membership is just £12.00 (or £6.00 if you are already a member of iU3A). You can find out more information and join through this link: Interest Groups Online.

National Benefits: iU3A pays £4.00 to the national organisation per member. If you ever wonder what benefits we, and you, gain from being part of this national organisation (the 17th largest organisation in the UK) then this might explain it: Where Does My £4 go? 

London Region of U3As (LRU3A)
LRU3A is a forum or network that organises study days and other events for all of the London independent u3as. To find out what’s on see below or have a look here.

Your iU3A representatives on the London Region of U3As are currently:

If you have any queries or ideas regarding London Region of U3As use the email links above.
If you want to read more about networks with U3A generally then look here.

Other Events: to find out what is on across the London Region click here.

Research Projects
As many members wish to volunteer for local organisations or as subjects for university research studies we include these opportunities here and in WOW.

Shared Learning Project, Family Histories:  you may recall a project proposal that was very popular, but which sadly got shelved at the start of the pandemic. At that time, it was named 'Family History Through Photographs'. The lead researchers, Jane Hamlett at Royal Holloway and Laura King at Leeds Universities, have now reconvened and are re-launching their research under the slightly tweaked title 'Family Photos and Family Histories'. Their aim is to look into the way families document their lives and experiences through personal photography, and they also aim to suggest approaches that that current u3a family historians (individuals or groups) can use. A flyer is attached with full details and you are invited to share it with your own u3a contacts. It is also designed to sit on a notice board if you have one. Please ensure you enrol at https://forms.gle/ink1DMdjLCRXEReb6 to attend their pilot Zoom talk on 14 June at 10.30am. We aim to record the meeting for those who cannot make it in person. More information here. Please tell me if you need any other questions about the 'Family Photos' project. Maggy Simms. Post until 16/6/23.

Are you 'a Londoner'? Did you visit or work in a British holiday camp? Would you like to come and share your memories for a new local history project? Oral history specialists digital-works are working with the BFI on a project that will explore and record the history of Londoners visiting or working at British holiday camps. Contact Matthew Rosenberg mat@digital-works.co.uk or 07949 107023. See also https://hellocampers.org.uk/.


Researchers reading this and wishing to submit any requests for support should be aware of the u3a's guidelines on this topic. This can be read here: Research Application Guidelines.

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From U3A National Office: We are often asked to publicise research studies and trials to our members.  Where we do so it is because we believe it may be of interest to you and we are not endorsing or promoting the research study in any way. U3A has not undertaken any checks or due diligence on the relevant department or the study and accepts no liability whatsoever if you decide to agree to participate. If you choose to take part in any study you do so at your own risk and in your own capacity (and not as member of U3A). You should make sure that you understand all the risks associated with any study before you sign up and ensure that you understand the time commitment, any restrictions and possible side effects. You should also ensure that you will be insured as part of the study.


site designed by Gill Hopkins 
logo designed Tattersal Hammarling & Silk
registered charity number 1157067