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U3A The University Of The Third Age
It is a growing nationwide network of self-help educational activities organised for and by retired people who are middle aged and over . The first Université du Troisième Age was founded in Toulouse in 1972.  The Universities in France made available their facilities and tutors to provide courses for older people. The UK University of the Third Age started in Cambridge in 1981. When the idea was progressed in the UK in 1982 the approach was different.  It became a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ model with the term ‘University’ used in its original meaning where a group of people gather together to learn from one another. 

The U3A is about involvement in learning new things, expanding horizons, sharing skills and experiences, making new friends, helping others to learn, accepting new challenges to show that age need be no barrier to learning or to helping others to learn, and to enjoy!  There are now more than 719 U3As in this country with a total membership of around 209,000.  

Founded in 1997, and affiliated to The Third Age Trust (the UK national organization), the Cheadle branch is now 750 members strong with 50+  activities for members to enjoy.  We are members of the very informally organised South East Cheshire and North Staffordshire U3A Region comprising Alsager, Cheadle, Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich, Leek, Macclesfield Rural, and Uttoxeter & District branches.  We also form part of the North West Area of the Third Age Trust. Cheadle U3A has a registered charity number 1072364.

It is organised by a Management Committee of volunteers, elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.  Activity Group leaders are also volunteers who give their services to pass on their skills for the benefit of others.  We learn from each other and help each other.

To help defray the running costs of the branch, annual membership 2008-9 costs £7 and each group session attended costs £1.  Members can belong to as many groups as they wish.

New members may enrol by sending a cheque for £7 made payable to Cheadle (Staffs) U3A, to the Membership Secretary, contact details below, or on their first attendance at their chosen group, subject to the group having vacancies.

Our main base is Room G10 (from September 2008, G14) at the Moorlands 6th Form Centre,  Attlee Road, Cheadle, Staffordshire, ST10 1LL, where there is ample car parking.  Many groups meet here; others meet elsewhere when more appropriate accommodation is needed, as shown in the Activitiey Programme on the next page. 
See also our Take Part page where you can influence the running of the U3A by contributing your own ideas, keep up to date with the latest state of the existing activities, to add your name to a proposed new activity group, to volunteer as a group leader, the opportunities are endless.