A very warm welcome to the Crouch End & District u3a, a non-religious and non-political registered charity based on the principles of self-help learning and co-operation. We are open to all who are retired or semi-retired and are part of the U3A international movement. No formal qualifications are required, just a desire to get out, learn new things, meet new people in the local area, keep the brain and body active, and most importantly, to have fun.
The Crouch End & District u3a is not a service provider. It is a mutual aid organisation to which all members are encouraged to contribute. Its success depends on the willingness of members to volunteer and help out in whatever way they feel able.
We have interest groups, regular talks, and a number of social events, although the current COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are preventing many activities from taking place.
▷ COVID-19 restrictions
▷ Advice from National u3a
So, if you live in Alexandra Park, Bounds Green, Crouch End, East Finchley, Fortis Green, Harringay, Highgate, Hornsey, Muswell Hill, Stroud Green, Wood Green or even areas further afield, and are looking to meet new people and engage in a whole range of enjoyable and challenging activities, both mental and physical, why not enjoy the time of your life and join the Crouch End and District u3a? Over 700 others have … learn, laugh and live!
Join
Membership is open for those who are retired, semi-retired or in part-time employment, although there is no age criterion.
Membership is not open to those in full-time employment.
Membership requires an annual subscription. This entitles members to attend the Monthly Meetings, to join any of the Interest Groups and social events, and to vote for Executive Committee members at the Annual General Meeting.
▷ How to join
Monthly meetings
Our monthly meetings (currently suspended) which include talks by invited speakers take place on the morning of the second Thursday of the month at the Union Church and Community Centre, Weston Park, N8 9TA.
Find out more
Online monthly talks
A series of regular monthly talks that take place on the first Tuesday of every month at 11.00 a.m. online via the video conferencing application Zoom.
To enjoy the talks you must have access to a desktop or laptop PC, or a tablet or a smart phone loaded with the Zoom app.
Registration is recommended to guarantee a place.
Find out more
Groups
Those who teach shall also learn. Those who learn shall also teach – Peter Laslett, founder (with others) of the u3a
Interest Groups are an integral part of the U3A experience, and members are entitled to join any group in which they are interested.
The Crouch End & District u3a is a co-operative venture: as such, its members are encouraged to share their knowledge and experience by offering to lead or facilitate groups.
The normal pattern is for small groups to meet in a member’s home, while premises may have to be sought for activities such as art and relaxation classes.
For those who wish to get out and about there are currently groups for exhibition and gallery visits, bird-watching, outings, and walks of various distances.
Find out more
Social events
The Crouch End & District u3a aims to offer a range of social events in which members are welcome to join. These include coffee mornings, pub lunches and quiz nights.
Find out more
Accessibility
Meetings, group sessions and social events held at local venues are generally accessible to people with limited mobility, and wheelchair users.
However, many groups do meet in conveners’ homes, where access may be difficult. If you have hearing, mobility, vision, or other accessibility issues, please check first with the group convener to ascertain how suitable the home for those with mobility issues.
You can do this by completing the contact form on the Group’s page on this website.
Communications
The Crouch End & District u3a has a Facebook Group page, to which all members who have an account are invited to join to share news, views, and images.
Follow us on Twitter
The Crouch End & District u3a issues a monthly e-mail bulletin to its members. The bulletin summarizes all the latest information relating to groups and forthcoming events.
▷ Read the latest bulletin
The Crouch End & District u3a publishes a newsletter three times a year. NEWS@ includes profiles of our members, in-depth looks at our different Groups and national or regional u3a events of interest. It includes poems, short stories, gardening tips, crafts and art, a quiz, suggestions for beers or wines, local interest and history stories and much more.
We do need members to help by contributing to NEWS@. Have you written a book, swum the channel or climbed Everest lately? Is your Group planning a special event or activity? Are you a keen photographer? High resolution photographs of U3A activities or events will be very welcome. Please send items and photos to news@cedu3a.org.uk.
▷ Read the latest newsletter
Volunteer
Volunteering is at the heart of every U3A. At CEDu3a we would not exist without our volunteers who help make it all happen. We do need volunteers to assist our existing teams and the Executive Committee in planning our regular events, such as Open Day, recruitment events, online talks, quizzes, dances and parties.
Find out more