Member Volunteer

Keywords

Groups Older People Socialising

Description

U3a (University of the Third Age) is a national Charity run in local areas by volunteer members, for members who want to stay curious, enjoy the company of others as they share their knowledge.  Although ‘university’ appears in our title our learning is not followed by any means of examinations or certification.  Our ethos is to Learn, Laugh and Live.

We offer a diverse number of interest groups from ‘Church Crawling’ (as opposed to pub crawling!) to learning about women from the past and present in ‘Women in Society and History’ and quite a lot in between.  The frequency of these groups may be weekly, monthly or for a short period.

We also organise day trips, discussion groups, free coffee mornings and regular free monthly talks. Our talks programme covers a wide range of topics from the History of the Cinque Ports, the haunted village of Pluckley to a talk on Country music, which are hosted at the Astor Theatre in Deal on the first Wednesday of the month.  We are hoping to establish other talks in other venues in the White Cliffs area like Dover, in the near future.  

Our membership is open to anyone who is not in full time employment.  As many members we are no longer so tied to full-time work or the responsibilities that come with our younger years…this allows us time to ‘Learn, Laugh and Live’; something that White Cliffs Country u3a fully embraces.

Our annual membership is £10.00 per person, and will increase during 2026 with a small increase.  

Any member can then volunteer to lead Groups, to serve on the Committee, IT support, give an interesting talk, or to help out in many other various roles.

You do not need ‘O’ levels, ‘A’ levels let alone a degree to join our ‘University’, just an interest in life…and in having fun and making memories.

What rewards come with volunteering, and how does it create meaningful change?

• Community and Connection: It brings people together, fostering social interaction and friendship.
• Utilize Skills: Members can share their expertise, professional experience, or passions by leading groups or managing administrative tasks.
• Personal Growth: Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and helps in developing new skills or keeping existing ones sharp.
• Support the Movement: As a volunteer-led organization, u3a depends on members to operate, keeping it accessible and affordable.
• Positive Aging: It challenges negative attitudes towards aging by demonstrating that later life is a time of learning, activity, and contribution.

Requirements

Membership in u3a.  White Cliffs Country u3a membership area covers Dover, Deal, Sandwich and surrounding villages.

Membership is open for those no longer in full time employment.