“Mentally challenging and meeting like-minded people”
We welcome new members. Although the majority of members live in NW11 and N2, there is no geographic restriction on membership. The u3a movement in non-religious and non-political. There are no age limits. The only requirement is that you should no longer be in full-time employment.
Our membership year runs from 1 September to 31 August of the following year. The membership subscriptions for 2022–2023 have been set as follows:
- Joining before 1 March 2023:
- Individual Membership: £35.00 (£37 by cheque)
- Joint Membership (two people at same address): £60.00 (£62 by cheque)
- Joining on or after 1 March 2023:
- Individual Membership: £20 (£22 by cheque)
- Joint Membership (two people at same address): £40 (£42 by cheque)
New members joining in July and August are automatically enrolled until August of the following year.
New Members
The simplest way to join HGS U3A is online. Just click this link, fill in the simple application form, and pay by credit or debit card. (The transaction is handled by PayPal, but you don’t need a PayPal account.)
If you don’t want to pay online, download the new member application form, and pay by bank transfer or cheque as indicated below.
Renewals
The subscription fees for existing members of HGS U3A are the same as for new members. Our preferred method of renewal is paying by credit or debit card using the members’ portal. Renewal reminders with a link to the members’ portal will be sent to members during the second half of August.
Payment by Other Methods
If you don’t want to use the online payment system, please pay by electronic bank transfer to the following account:
- Account name: HGSU3A
- Sort code: 40-20-16
- Account number: 82212358
- Reference: Your surname and postcode
If you are unable to pay by electronic bank transfer, we will accept a cheque; but this attracts a £2 surcharge to cover administration costs. Please make the cheque payable to HGSU3A and write your name and address on the back. Send the cheque to the following address:
HGS U3A
C/o Fellowship House
136a Willifield Way
London
NW11 6YD
Discounts and Transfers
Please note that HGS U3A does not offer a discount to members of other u3as. Also please note that membership is not transferable to a spouse, partner, someone living at the same address or across programme years.
Joining a Group
Once you have become a member of HGS U3A you can apply to join any group by contacting the Group Leader (contact details are on the timetable sent regularly to members) or you can sign up using the form on the Contact page, selecting “Application to join group(s)” from the Subject drop-down menu. If there is a waiting list for a group you can still register your interest as a parallel or new group may be formed at a later date.
Where a group involves physical activity, members must be sufficiently fit to participate. In some cases, such as yoga and Pilates, participants will be required to fill in a confidential form declaring any health issues.
Leading a Group
We’d be delighted if you have an idea for a new group that you could lead or help to organize. HGS U3A follows a mutual aid principle of all u3as and is run by members who volunteer their experience and time for the mutual benefit of its members. If you have a suggestion for a new group that you would be willing to run, please use the appropriate form on our Contact page.
The Principles of the u3a Movement
The u3a movement has three main principles:
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 in which full time employment has ceased.
- Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a u3a.
- Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a U3A can do so.
The Self-help Learning Principle
- Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire; by the members, for the members.
- 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 u3a members.
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 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.