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East Midlands Trustee Newsletter February 2021

To read Jean's latest newsletter please click here

 'Going Forward Together' Virtual Event held on 28th October 2020

Chairs, Secretaries and Treasurers of East Midlands U3As were invited to an East Midlands virtual event 'Going Forward Together' to be updated on developments nationally and to gain new ideas for their U3A. The event was held via Zoom .  Places were limited to 100 and were fully booked.

The event was recorded and is now available on YouTube.  To launch the recording (in a new tab) click on this link: https://youtu.be/8yon2lZeDUo

New Dates

Because of the current coronavirus situation the first National u3a Day has been moved to Wednesday 2rd June 2021

The planned East Midlands Regional Conference 2020 - 'Making a Difference' has been rearranged for Wednesday 5th May 2021 .at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Eastwood, Nottingham.   To view the programme follow this link: programme.

COVID-19 Coronavirus

The COVID-19 coronavirus is the most serious event in our lifetime. It is touching all aspects of life, particularly that of u3a members.  The postponement of Monthly Meetings and Interest Groups sessions - the beating heart of the movement - presents a challenge for many members, particularly those that have become socially isolated with the current restrictions on movement.  However, u3a members are very resilient and have overcome many setbacks in their lives by adopting a positive attitude.
Third Age Trust Chairman Ian McCannah, March 2020.

About the Region

U3As are organised into Regions in England, and into countries for Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.  The East Midlands Region comprises the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and Nottinghamshire.

The Region has two fundamental purposes:

1. To enable u3as to work together to help them meet their objectives (learning, recreation and companionship) – by cooperative activities usually involving discussion and sharing of experiences.
Read about  Shared Learning and Research Projects under the Region tab.

2. To ensure u3as have the opportunities to propose and vote for their representative on the board of the Third Age Trust.  The Regional Trustee provides a means of communication to the board.  
Read about the role of Regional Trustee under the Region tab.

Because of its geographical size the Region has divided itself into five County Networks of u3as (with Leicestershire and Rutland operating as one).   Find out more about the u3as and their Networks under the U3As and Networks tabs. 

You might like to have a look at the websites for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire Networks to see what they do and their latest news.

The Region and Networks are about u3as (and their members) doing things together. 

About the u3a

In the UK the u3a is a movement which provides opportunities for retired and semi-retired people to participate in learning activities both educational and recreational.  It also provides companionship.   There are over 1000 u3as in the UK with over 365,000 members and each, under the umbrella of the Third Age Trust, is independently operated. The range of activities in each one is up to the members to decide and provide.

u3as provide a wonderful opportunity for retired and semi-retired people to enrich their lives by learning new skills and developing new interests. To Learn Laugh and Live is the aim of all members. Each u3a comprises people who come together to share and pursue learning in all its forms.   It is also a member of The Third Age Trust (TAT), which is the national support and advisory body and to whose aims and guiding principles every u3a member adheres.

To learn more  about the TAT aims and guiding principles follow this link to the TAT website- Vision and Mission.