Networks and what they do
Networks provide the opportunity to meet others with similar responsibilities to share experiences and events, discuss new ideas, and to develop solutions to challenges. U3as may participate in Network organised events such as workshops, study days or summer schools. Each Network chooses their own organisational structure, some are very informal with no constitution or procedural rules, no committee, and no bank accounts, instead, the u3as take it in turns to organise meetings and events. Other Networks may prefer to have a constitution which governs the running of the Network and defines the frequency of meetings, rules for elections to the committee, banking arrangements etc. If you intend to set up a Network bank account, you will need a constitution.
What Networks do depends on what the member u3as forming the Network want, and can offer, but it may include:
- Developing and sharing lists of potential speakers.
- Organising Network study/interest days for members of the Network's u3as (and sometimes neighbouring u3as).
- Organising training/information events for u3a committee members, potential committee members, group leaders/convenors etc.
- Organising shared learning projects.
- Establishing links with outside organisations, such as universities, and participating in local initiatives.
- Providing a regular forum for member u3as to meet to share information, disseminate good practice and discuss issues of concern
- Sharing resources and setting up reciprocal interest group arrangements between members of the Network.
- Produce a newsletter.
- Arranging inter-u3a competitions.
- Increase awareness of u3a in the community.
- Support communications to and from The Third Age Trust
Membership of a Network is voluntary. Some Networks cross regional boundaries. Some u3as choose to belong to more than one Network, especially if they are situated on county borders. It isn’t necessary to join the Network nearest to you. In some places there may be small Networks of four or five neighbouring u3as working together inside a larger Network.
If you want to find out more about networks, or are thinking about setting up a network in your area, you can download the pdf document below which provides additional advice and guidance.
Cooperation between Networks
Networks can come together to organise conferences, residential schools, study days and social events as well as sharing good practice, speaker lists etc.
Funding
Many Networks levy a small capitation fee on their member u3as. Others charge one flat rate, or a fee related to membership bands. Others choose different ways to raise funds. Some choose not to charge and ensure that all events are self-funded, but it is important that Networks remain solvent.
The Trust is keen to encourage small groups of u3as to arrange workshops/seminars on topics concerned with the running and future development of their u3as. Any small group of u3as which would like to hold such an event may apply for a grant from The Trust to cover venue hire and associated administrative costs and possibly a contribution towards refreshments. For more information contact your Regional Trustee
If a network wishes to use the u3a logo or apply for funding as mentioned above, they do have to sign a Network Affiliation Agreement (NAA) with the Trust. A copy is available from the chair of Network Link and a signed copy needs to be sent to the CEO for signature and retention.
Relationship with the Third Age Trust
The Trust is extremely supportive of Networks and recognises the important part they play currently in both the lives of individual u3as and the movement, and the increasingly significant part they will play as the number of u3as continues to rise. With the large number of individual u3as throughout the UK, it is difficult for The Trust to stay in touch and get feedback from the whole organisation, whereas the Networks are a useful intermediate level allowing The Trust to reach u3as through the Networks.
All members can see the latest mailings on our mailings page under Support for u3as. Network chairs will have reminders of this link in the Network Newsletter - sign up here. For the latest news from the Trust and u3a movement, sign up to the national newsletter.
A Peer Group is defined as a grouping of members holding a similar committee or other responsibilities within their u3a. (e.g. a ‘Treasurers’ peer group). A Peer Group Network would enable members of a regional Peer Group to engage in mutual support by solving shared problems, describing best practice, exchanging ideas for new developments, etc. The members could be current post-holders but could also be past or prospective postholders or an ordinary u3a member – wherever the interest or competency lies.
We have expanded the previous guidance on setting up and running peer support groups from various networks and u3as. Download the latest Peer Group advice document, in pdf format.
Current Networks
u3a Networks are grouped into regions across the UK. The different regions are shown on the map and listed below.
To get in touch with a specific network please contact them through their website using the links in the lists below.
East of England
- BedsPlus
- Hertfordshire Network
- North East Norfolk Network
East Midlands
- Derbyshire u3a Network
- East Lincolnshire Neighbourhood
- Leicestershire and Rutland Network of u3as
- Lincoln Neighbourhood Group
- Northamptonshire Network of u3as
- Nottinghamshire Network of u3as
London
- BOB (Bromley, Orpington and Beckenham)
- London Region of u3as
- South West London Network
North East
- Creative Writing Network
- East Durham & South Tyneside Chairs
- North East Publicity Network
- SE Northumberland & Coast Chairs & Business Secs
- North Northumberland Network (NNN)
- North Northumberland Treasurer & Business Secs
- Northumbria Group Co-ordinators
- Northumbria IT Network
- Northumbria Membership Secretaries
- Northumbria Region u3a
- Northumbria Treasurers
- SE Northumbria u3a Chair’s Network
- South Durham & Border Treasurers and Business Secs
- South Durham Chairs
North West
- Clitheroe Cluster
- Deeside and Wirral u3as
- Greater Manchester u3a Network
- Lancashire and Morecambe Network
- Mid Cheshire Network
- North East Cheshire Network
- North Cumbria
- Pennine Link
- South East Cheshire Network
- The Bay
Northern Ireland
- Ards Peninsula
- Greater Belfast and North Down
- Northern Ireland Region
Scotland
- Central Belt
- u3a in Scotland
South East
- East Sussex and Brighton Network
- East Sussex East Cluster
- Kent u3a Network
- NE Hants & SW Surrey
- Hampshire South Central
- SE Region Events Network
- South West Hampshire
- Surrey u3a Network
- Sussex u3a
- Thames Valley u3a Network
- West Sussex
South West
- Avalon Network
- Bath & Wiltshire
- Bristol Yate and Sodbury Network
- Channel Islands
- Cotswold u3a Link
- Devon Link
- East Devon Link/Network
- East Dorset Network
- Far West Network
- Mid Cornwall
- North Devon u3a Link
- Northern Somerset Association of u3a's
- Tamar Valley
- Two Moors
- West Dorset
- West Somerset Partnership
West Midlands
- Cotswold u3a Link
- Coventry & Warwick
- East Staffordshire Link
- Mid-Staffordshire Neighbourhood Link
- Shropshire Area u3as
- Solihull Cluster
- South Birmingham
- Stratford 5
Yorkshire & The Humber
- WestNet
- East Riding Accord
- East Coast Network
- Central Yorkshire Group Network (CYGNET)
- SYGnet South Yorkshire Group Network
- Dales Network (North Yorks)