islington
This page lets you know about wider u3a events
and other opportunities that may interest you.
4 December — Jo Livingston: Write it down!
Click on the relevant link in the flyer to register for each individual talk: Talks Oct-Dec 2023. The Zoom link will be sent to you two days before the talk. Please register in advance as the zoom link will not be sent on the day of the talk, for administrative reasons.
For their next series of talks (January to March) the details are here: Talks Jan-Mar 2024.
To view other London Region events keep an eye on their webpage: Events
17 to 19 July 2024, u3a Festival 2024: following the success of the national u3a event 'Off The Wall' this year there are plans afoot for an even bigger event for next year. For details of the Festival have a look at the national webpage here: https://www.u3a.org.uk/events/festival-2024
For details of their next 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.
Positive Ageing: see here for why u3a helps enable a positive view of growing old: Video
Bereavement Support: if you have recently suffered a bereavement you may wish to considering using the Islington Bereavement Community service. You can see some information about the service here or through their website: St. Joseph's Hospice (stjh.org.uk).
Or, if you want to help them and consider voluntering for them, find their contact details in the linked document above.
Islington Public Toilets Campaign: help improve the availability of loos in our borough. For more information and to sign the petition look here.
Merchandise:
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.
London Age-Friendly Forum (LAFF): The
latest report on this London Mayor initiative 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 £3.80 for five issues per year. You can select the membership class which includes provision of 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. There is also an abreviated digital version available through the national webst: https://www.u3a.org.uk/news/publications
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. 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:
- Chris Bulford (general.member@islingtonu3a.org)
- Sally Fox (secretary@islingtonu3a.org)
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.
London Region Summer School Under Threat: the London Region of U3as has run very successful Summer Schools over many years. But now it’s under threat — currently it looks like they will not be able to put one on next summer. This is due to the lack of volunteers to help organise. Catherine Ware in particular is standing back from chairing the SS Committee (and thanks go to Catherine for establishing such successful Summer Schools) and other volunteers are also stopping. If you would be willing to work with others in trying to form some sort of London Region wide Summer School or Study Days next summer, please contact Vivek at communications.lru3a@gmail.com
London Parks and Gardens Trust — Project proposal: We are looking for a small group of people who would be interested in a proposal to set up a u3a project with London Parks and Gardens Trust. Before reading further, please look at their website. All the aims, work and achievements of the trust are there. Quite fascinating. See link here.
If you think you might enjoy getting involved, please email Jo to have a chat about it. Obviously it is all just an idea at the moment, but with your help, we can have a sociable and flexible plan of action by November. Possible Ideas to develop or reject:
1. Inventory review and update of green spaces in an individual borough. Additions? Changes?
2. Gather information on 3 specific parks with known benefactors?
3. Research into individual benefactors of land. Sites? Are the wishes of the benefactor still being complied with?
4. Garden designers across London. Comparisons? Changes?
Do get in touch, at jo.walters.slp@gmail.com
Research Projects
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/.
Post until 30 October 2023.
Oxford University Study on examining social understanding: Emily Long (emily.long@psy.ox.ac.uk) says: The study can be completed online in the participant's own time, or we can attend one of your sessions in order for your members to participate under our guidance if preferred. Some information about the study can be found here, and I can send a poster that can be printed and used to share information about the study. If you would like more information, we would be very happy to discuss this with you in more detail in person, over the phone or via email. Many thanks. There is no obligation to take part.
We are looking for volunteers for a study about how we
make judgements about other people’s personalities,
cognitive abilities and thoughts. The study is completed
online and involves watching video-recorded interviews and
answering some questions about those videos. You would
also be asked to complete some questionnaires and a test
of cognitive ability. The study session is expected to
take around 75-90 minutes of your time. Participants must
be at least 60 years old, have normal or
corrected-to-normal vision, and no diagnosis of Autism
Spectrum Disorder or a current or recent psychiatric
diagnosis (within the last three months). You would be
compensated for your time.
Post until 30 October 2023.
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.
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