U3A Guernsey celebrates reaching 1,000 members

THE U3A is celebrating reaching 1,000 Guernsey members.

U3A membership has risen a huge amount in the last few years. Some of the executive committee are pictured at their AGM at St Sampson’s School, left to right, Gill Slimm, Pauline Telford, Sue Knowles (who started the U3A), Ian Daish, chairwoman Jane Pearson, vice-chairman Alan Chubb, Hazel Solway and Peter Langford. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 31127910)

U3A Guernsey was started in the Bailiwick in 2015, with aim of offering people who have retired opportunities to learn new skills or hobbies, or the chance to get back into old ones.

U3A Guernsey growth is actually going against the trend in the UK, as lockdown resulted in many third age trusts losing numbers rather than coming out the other side and gaining new members.

U3A Guernsey chairwoman Jane Pearson said: ‘We aim to offer friendship, routines, new hobbies to try out, and a chance to learn new things with like-minded people.

‘We now have over 80 groups which range from coffee mornings to rib day outs.

‘We have creative groups such as drawing, water-colour painting and sewing, active sports groups such as kayaking and bowls, and groups where we play games which help challenge the brain.’

There are also fun groups such as wine tasting, which is very popular, and games of skittles at the Hampshire Lodge.

‘The aim is to keep retired people, or anyone thinking about retirement, active, and we try to keep it as cheap as possible for everyone,’ she said.

Membership numbers have been gradually climbing since U3A launched in September 2015. Last year it was at 846 members, and they are still growing to this day despite Covid setbacks.

‘We look after our monies and during Covid managed to make some savings, so this year we are giving back to members a subsidy of £10 each to spend on one of the three activities which we are holding in October’ said Mrs Pearson.