Devizes and District U3A

Devizes and District U3A is a nonprofit organization and registered charity (charity number 1076852) based in Devizes, United Kingdom. It is part of the wider University of the Third Age (U3A) movement, which is a UK-wide network of self-managed and self-financing local groups aimed primarily at retired and semi-retired individuals seeking lifelong learning opportunities and social engagement.

Overview

The organization operates under the principles of the U3A movement, which was established to encourage learning for fun, social interaction, and personal enrichment among people no longer in full-time employment. Devizes and District U3A offers its members access to a variety of interest groups that cover subjects ranging from arts and languages to physical activities and discussion groups. Activities are organized by members themselves and typically meet in local venues, allowing for a community-centered learning experience.

Background

The concept of the University of the Third Age originated internationally and was introduced to the UK in 1981, evolving into a self-help educational community movement. The UK network encompasses over 1,000 local U3A groups, with membership reaching approximately 400,000 as of early 2025. Each group functions as an independent charity linked to the national coordinating body, the Third Age Trust.

Devizes and District U3A is one of these independent groups, contributing to the national mission of providing accessible and enjoyable educational opportunities to its members. The organization is part of the larger U3A regional and national framework, benefiting from shared resources, best practice, and support while maintaining local autonomy.

Activities and Membership

Membership in Devizes and District U3A is generally open to all individuals who are retired or semi-retired, though some groups within U3A also welcome others not in full-time employment. The organization enables members to engage in a wide array of activities and courses led by members themselves, fostering peer learning and social interaction.

The group may partake in both face-to-face meetings and participate in online communities facilitated by the U3A movement’s Interest Groups Online (IGO) platform, which expands access to talks, courses, and group discussions across the UK.

Governance and Charity Status

Devizes and District U3A holds registered charity status under number 1076852, ensuring compliance with UK charity regulations. As a charity, it is overseen by a committee elected from its membership, responsible for organizational governance and financial accountability in line with the ethos of the U3A movement.

Connection to the National U3A Network

Devizes and District U3A is affiliated with the national U3A organization, formally known as the Third Age Trust. This national body supports local U3As by providing guidance, resources, and representation. The national office promotes the core values of lifelong learning, social engagement, and mutual support that underpin all local U3A groups.

This structure enables Devizes and District U3A to offer a vibrant and inclusive environment for learning and social activities, aligned with the broader objectives of the University of the Third Age movement in the United Kingdom.

[1] https://www.u3a.org.uk [2] https://www.u3a.org.uk/about [3] https://www.u3a.org.uk/u3a-national-office [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Third_Age [5] https://www.u3a.org.uk/regional-u3a-websites