The u3a Movement

The UK-wide u3a movement began in 1982. There are now over 1,000 u3as in the UK with around 400,000 members.

Each u3a is an independent organisation, affiliated to the Third Age Trust (will open in a new tab), which supports local u3as in offering interest groups and activities that provide a wide range of opportunities to come together to learn for fun.

Members of each u3a draw upon their knowledge and experience to learn from each other. They explore new ideas, skills and activities together. There are no qualifications to pass - it is just for pleasure. Learning is its own reward.

Each region and nation of the UK has two representatives on the u3a Council. The Council Representatives for Scotland are Liz Ervine (will open in a new tab) (Glasgow West End u3a) and George Cleland (Edinburgh u3a). There is also a network, u3a in Scotland (will open in a new tab), which includes all u3as in Scotland.

Forth Valley u3a

Forth Valley u3a (FVu3a) was set up in 2004. It was registered in 2007 as a charity: an unincorporated association. In 2014 it became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), managed by a Board of Charity Trustees. We have over 600 members from throughout the Forth Valley. The main objectives are advancing learning groups chosen by our members, providing recreational activities and leisure opportunities. The Board meets at least four times a year, plus the Annual General Meeting usually held in May.

The Forth Valley u3a membership area includes Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils as well as neighbouring communities.

The FVu3a Board of Trustees

Forth Valley u3a, as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), requires a Board of Trustees to manage the day-to-day affairs of the organisation. The duties of the Trustees include organising the finances and membership, arranging events, setting up and administering our groups, handling the IT and ensuring correct governance.

Trustees are members of Forth Valley u3a who give their time freely to help manage the organisation. Many of the Trustees use the skills they have developed in their working lives to help run our u3a. Others use the opportunity to learn new skills. Members can gain a high degree of satisfaction in contributing to the board for a few years during their membership of our u3a.

Find the current list of Trustees, together with how to contact us. If you are interested in becoming a Trustee, please contact the Chair, Neil Fairweather.