THERE are exciting times ahead for a unique charitable organisation which has created an amazing community offering a huge variety of activities for hundreds of Barnsley’s retired and semi-retired residents.
Plans are already taking shape to mark Barnsley u3a’s 30th anniversary next July with a summer ball already being discussed as a celebration of what has been achieved over the last three decades.
It was set up in July 1996 with 30 members - today it boasts a membership of around 1,300 with over 100 groups currently active. It’s all run by volunteers with many of the members offering sessions and pursuits that they have experience in.
Excitement is also building within the organisation after they were nominated for a King’s Award.
Chairperson Pauline Buttling said: “We are really excited about this. We have already had a visit from the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Lady Rowena Wortley who met some of our groups during her tour and we will find out whether we have been successful in November when the announcements are made on King Charles’ birthday.
“We’re just keeping our fingers crossed.”
The Barnsley branch has also been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award with the winners also being announced in November.
But in the meantime, the u3a members never rest on their laurels and the organisation continues to grow by adding members and activities all the time.
Recent additions to activities have included the Silver Shimmy belly dancing group, gadgets and IT made easy, and make do and mend dressmaking to name but a few.
“We’re doing well, we try to offer what the members want and we’re always getting suggestions for new groups. The belly dancing group has been surprisingly popular and there is a big variety of things on offer,” said Pauline.
The u3a attracts people from all walks of life and aims to put fun and fulfilment into members’ spare time.
Webmaster Vanda Outram sits on the committee of the organisation and has been involved since she retired a decade ago. She says that the u3a has been a real lifeline: “Retirement is a funny thing because even though you know it’s going to happen, it can be a bit like a bereavement.
“It’s that same kind of feeling - one day you’re working and then the next day it’s gone. When I retired, the u3a was a real lifeline.
“I needed something to fill my days and it came along and was a gift from heaven for me.
“When you stop working you lose that social aspect too and u3a replaces that for a lot of people. It gives you a sense of belonging again - this is especially the case if you have been bereaved, too.
“Many of my friends I have made through the group and it’s great to spend time with like-minded people.”
There are no age limits for membership and some people join when they stop working full-time rather than when the actually retire.
‘If you have the time then you can join us,” said Vanda. “Many of our members are in their fifties but we also had our oldest joining member recently who is 95.”
With the massive variety of activities from walking football to learning how to make ‘posh puds’ in one of the member’s kitchen, members are spoilt for choice.
One of Vanda’s passions is technology and she looks after the u3a website having recently redesigned the whole site.
“I think there is something for everyone within the u3a I love technology prior to retirement, I worked for 02 and it really developed my love of it.
“I think I was born before my time when it comes to technology.
“It’s sometimes challenging to get some of our members to look online and explore the website but we’re getting there. I spoke to members on Remembrance Sunday about their memories and we have a section on the website now for members’ memories.
“It would be lovely to get to 1,500 members.”
