Aroundtown Magazine Winter 2022 edition

FAMILY
Learn, laugh, live
with U3A
The dawning of a new year
offers an exciting opportunity to
change up your life and a chance
to develop a new fulfilling hobby
for 2022.
Spending time engaged in an enjoyable activity
is great for your mental health and starting a new
hobby could even help you reach your physical
health goals.
But where do you begin?
Fortunately, the Barnsley and Rotherham
branches of the u3a provide a vast range of
educational, creative and leisure opportunities
across their various interest groups for a nominal
annual membership fee.
“
While some join to gain
new skills, or revisit an
old hobby now time is
spare, others join to
make new friends.
”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the
national u3a initiative, launched in 1982 as
The University of the Third Age with the aim of
providing life-long learning to adults no longer
in full-time employment. However, in 2020 the
organisation was rebranded as the u3a to dispel
any myths that you need qualifications or to be
over a certain age to join.
While members still must be no longer working
full-time, there is no lower age limit, opening up
the u3a to younger adults who may have reduced
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their working hours due to the pandemic, illness,
childcare or other circumstances.
The u3a offers members a chance to
rejuvenate and resurrect old passions which
may have laid dormant over the years because
of different priorities. Not experts, just
enthusiasts, the learners lead, and the leaders
learn, working together to create a friendly and
enjoyable approach to learning based around
well-loved interests.
While some join to gain new skills, or revisit an
old hobby now time is spare, others join to make
new friends. For many who are perhaps isolated
or lonely, meetings are the highlight of the week,
with fellow members helping each other through
difficult times.
Throughout the pandemic, when face-to-face
meetings were put on hold for some time, interest
groups continued to have virtual meetings
where possible. Both Barnsley and Rotherham
u3a members kept in regular contact via Zoom,
WhatsApp, phone calls and their respective
quarterly magazines.
Thankfully, both organisations have bounced
back and meetings are once again taking place
in-person, with some choosing to offer a hybrid
approach with virtual and face-to-face options.
All groups observe Covid-safe practices and are
very conscious that the virus is still amongst us.
The u3a cares about its members, many of whom
have been affected by the pandemic in various
ways. Masks, ventilation and sanitising are
observed by all groups, with some having moved
to larger venues to accommodate the need for
social distancing.
Irrespective of the town in which you live,
you can join either Barnsley or Rotherham u3a
branches, or both, depending on what interest
groups take your fancy – assuming, of course,
that you can get to the venues where meetings
are held.
If you find nothing on offer to interest you,
both branches are always keen to hear from
prospective members with requests for specific
groups they’d like to see added to their
schedules. They will each offer support in setting
up new groups and organising venues.
Anyone interested in becoming a member can
have two free taster sessions before deciding
whether or not to join.
Barnsley u3a
The Barnsley branch of u3a was formed
in 1986 and has recently celebrated
their 25th anniversary.
They currently have over 1,200 members.
Annual membership is £12, with members then
paying weekly subs of £1 for each class they take
to cover the cost of venue hire.
There are around 120 interest groups in
Barnsley. Classes are either weekly, fortnightly
or monthly and most run all year round. The
groups are spread right across the borough,
with meetings in Darton, Mapplewell, Ardsley
and Penistone as well as the more central areas
of Barnsley.
From sport and outdoor pursuits to arts and
crafts – there’s something to capture every
interest. Learn a new language, go bird watching,
make music with the old blowers, or take up an