Merton u3a
Merton u3a – sociable fun locally
By Mike Dawson from Merton u3a
Introduction and History
If you’ve stopped working full-time, you may well be relishing having those extra hours to pursue your own interests. But how do you go about it? If you’re looking for an organisation that offers a wide range of activities, different ways to meet people and the opportunity to exercise mind and body, then you’ve come to the right place – Merton u3a. What we offer could be just what you want.
Before we get into the detail of what we are today, let’s begin with a little history.
Our branch is part of the u3a movement, founded in the early 1980s. It was inspired by the French equivalent, Université du Troisième Âge (or “University of the Third Age”), and was designed to facilitate university-based learning and qualifications for retired people. The UK version chose to focus on learning for pleasure. These days we are simply “u3a”. Like “laser”, “scuba” and “AOL”, the organisation’s name is no longer considered an abbreviation or acronym – it is just a three-character term that rolls quite pleasantly off the tongue.
So where does Merton u3a fit into all this? Well, it’s our local branch of the organisation, and was founded over 40 years ago. It covers areas including Wimbledon, Mitcham, Morden, Raynes Park and Colliers Wood and is one of over a thousand branches nationwide, each run as a charity. Anyone not in full-time work is eligible to join. Merton u3a comprises nearly 900 members, each of whom pays an annual subscription of just £13 to unlock a wealth of leisure time opportunities. Whether you’re looking for learning, entertainment, exercise, company or all of the above, you will find it here!
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Interest Groups
At the core of the organisation, but by no means the whole story, are our interest groups. These are led voluntarily by ordinary members, and are often hosted in their own homes – we really are an organisation run by its members for its members. Here people get together regularly – weekly, fortnightly or monthly – to indulge in a shared activity. With 85 groups (and counting!), members are sure to find something that attracts them. From Birdwatching to Bridge, Canasta to Cycling, Indoor Climbing to Italian, Painting to Psychology, and Walking to Wine Appreciation, there really is something for everyone, and many members belong to multiple groups. One of our latest additions is line dancing, which has proved so popular that it has already spawned a second group to cope with demand!
Our full list of current groups can be found at https://merton.u3asite.uk/groups/.
By way of illustration, let’s take a deeper dive into just two examples of these groups: Climate Change and Sustainability; and Art Appreciation. Thank you to the leaders of those groups for providing information for this article.
The Climate Change and Sustainability Group is led by John Roberts. This monthly online group’s aim is to get a better understanding of the three environmental crises the world faces – climate change, the loss of biodiversity and growing pollution. They educate themselves, and are not a campaigning group – though some in the group do take part in demonstrations as individuals! The group’s topics, normally initiated by a member giving a researched-based presentation, range from global issues though issues of national policy, to things everyone can do within our own households to make them more sustainable. Past issues discussed have included geothermal energy, forever chemicals, environmental impact of cruise ships, and Merton Borough’s action on climate change. The group currently numbers around 6 to 8 members, and can accommodate more.
The Art Appreciation Group, led by David Starke, is a longstanding part of Merton u3a, with an average of 20 members attending regularly. They meet in Wimbledon Library once a month for enjoyable and educational illustrated talks from their own membership about the lives and paintings of a great range of artists, and still have space for more members. The scope of their subject, essentially the work of all known painters from classical to modern, means that it is rare for any artist to be repeated. They plan to continue each month to explore new names and learn about the history of art that they bring out.
Other Benefits
While the groups are a key part of our organisation, there’s also much more that we offer.
Each month there’s a talk at the Mansel Road Centre in Wimbledon, delivered by a guest speaker – recent topics have been as diverse as The Ghosts of Hampton Court Palace, The History and Mystery of Funerals, and Aliens: What are the Chances? – and there are regular coffee mornings, Sunday lunches and outings to places of interest.
Members of our committee also issue regular updates and newsletters – and speaking of the committee, if you’re interested in getting more involved then there are generally committee roles to be filled!
The Future
Looking ahead, one of our key goals is to see more widespread representation within the u3a. In particular we want to encourage more men and more ethnic diversity among our membership, and to emphasise that you don’t need to be in your later years to join – anybody not in full-time work is welcome!
We also want to increase the number of groups based in the Mitcham and Morden areas, and are keen to hear from people who would like to lead them.
Getting Involved
Whether you want to join the committee, start or lead a group, volunteer at events, or just sign up and enjoy everything that Merton u3a has to offer, we would love to welcome you.
You can join using the following link:
https://merton.u3asite.uk/join-merton-u3a/
If you simply want to make contact, you can do so here:
https://merton.u3asite.uk/make-contact/
