Welcome to Torbay u3a
Volunteer Roles are Available from December 2025 - be part of it all
Secretary For the past two years, the post of Secretary has been vacant! There isn’t heaps of admin work to do – no correspondence because most is done by email these days, but this job is vitally important
Minutes Taker This could be the same person as the Secretary or a separate person could take up this role for our monthly meetings.
Speaker Finder shadow Marilyn, who has done this for many years. The speakers for 2026 have all been arranged, so you would have a year’s introduction.
The Theatre Group needs a new leader.
Refreshments Helper for monthly meetings.
Community Liaison this is a new role, which could be a job share, an exciting opportunity to build relationships with Community Builders, Community Organisations, Media & Press.
If you are interested in any of these roles, please email our Chair, John Hough or phone on 07455 193373
Harbour
We are part of a unique and exciting organisation providing life-enhancing, life-changing opportunities to those who are retired or semi-retired; run for and by our members, who want to keep active in mind and body.
Countryside
Have a look at our latest Quarterly magazine for more on Group activites
The u3a is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full-time employment, providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. Membership is not related to a specific age, but to a period in one’s life (the third age) after the second age of full-time employment and parental responsibility. Anybody in their third age can join u3a, and this includes people who are working part-time. There is no lower age for membership.
News for all members - August 2025
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Eric Midwinter, one of the visionary co-founders of the u3a movement in the UK.
Eric, alongside Peter Laslett and Michael Young, established u3a in 1982 with the belief that later life should be a time of continued learning, connection, and contribution. Eric's commitment to challenging negative stereotypes of ageing, and to creating spaces for older adults to share skills, knowledge, and friendship, has shaped the lives of hundreds of thousands of u3a members over four decades.
Here is a video of Eric chatting in 2022 with Liz Thackray, chair of our trust.
The u3a is an organisation that exists in many countries around the world with over 1,000 sites in the UK and around 450,000 members. As a member you will have access to the many and varied group activities all run by our members. There is no teacher or exam; this is about learning for the sheer joy of it. As well as the activities provided by ourselves, the Third Age Trust national body provides many services to members. This short video Do Something Brilliant Today includes members' comments from around the UK.
u3a National Websites
u3a Home page
u3a matters
History of the u3a
u3a Facebook pages
Keeping in touch
Let's talk Tech
Fit for the Future
National u3a also provide a selection of Online Groups and Activities
We are a local u3a group based in Torquay and we welcome members from Torbay and the surrounding area. Join us by visiting our Membership Page, or at one of our Monthly Meetings where you can spend the afternoon with us. In the meantime have a look around our website and read more about us.
John Hough, Chairman Torbay u3a