22/10/2026
Kinross-shire u3a
The u3a story (in the UK)
Founded in 1982, at u3a we've been bringing people together for over 40 years.
From the start, the guiding principles were to promote non-formal learning through self-help interest groups. Based loosely on the French model, our founders envisaged a collaborative approach with peers learning from each other.
The u3a movement was to be self-funded, with members not working towards qualifications but learning purely for pleasure. There would be no distinction between the learners and those sharing their skills and knowledge – everyone could take a turn at being both if they wished.
The movement grew very quickly and by the early 1990s, a u3a was opening every fortnight. u3as started in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and in 2008 membership was increasing by 11% every year. 2010 saw our membership hitting the quarter million mark. 2022 was the 40th Anniversary of the u3a movement in the UK. This milestone was marked with a year-long programme of events and celebrations.
Lifelong learning, along with supporting and promoting a positive later life, remains at the heart of everything we do. While there are no age limits in place; most of our members have stepped away from full time work, or from raising a family. The focus at u3a is creating communities for those who love to learn together.
The Third Age Principle
Membership of a u3a is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a particular age but by a period in life when full-time employment has ceased
Members of a u3a promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a u3a
Members of a u3a should do all they can to ensure that everyone who wishes to join a u3a can do so.
The Self-help Learning Principle
Members of a u3a form interest groups, covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire, by the membership for the membership
No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards
There is no distinction between the learners and the teachers; they are all members of a u3a.
The Mutual Aid Principle
Each u3a is a mutual aid organisation, operationally independent but a member of the Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the u3a movement.
No payments are made to individual members for services rendered to any u3a.
Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible.
Outside financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the integrity of the u3a movement.
