How to start a new group
Setting up Your Group
Your first contact will need to be the Malvern U3A Groups Coordinator to discuss your idea for a new group and to check that such a group doesn’t already exist.
She/he will need:
- A description of what your group will offer e.g. the subject matter, whether it is a talk or discussion, whether activity based, and whether visits are involved. Also, if relevant, at what level the target membership should be. For example, if it is a language group, whether it is beginners, conversation or advanced.
- What day and time you plan to run your group and whether it will be weekly, bi-monthly or monthly.
- How any interested parties can contact you or find out more details.
The Groups Coordinator will publish details of your new group in the monthly news bulletin which goes out by email to U3A members. She/he will also ensure that information about your new group is included in the bulletin, and is posted on the Malvern U3A website. The Groups Coordinator will liaise with you to discuss the response.
You can contact the Groups Coordinator by email at: groups@malvernu3a.org.uk Other contact details are in the current Groups Directory or on the Malvern U3A website www.malvernu3a.org.uk
There is further information on our dashboard/admin system.
You can also find subject advice and guidance on the u3a national website https://www.u3a.org.uk/
There is a network of over 70 u3a national subject advisers, whose role is to provide subject advice on both the setting up of a group in their particular specialty and the sustainability and development of existing groups. Advisers may provide groups with new ideas, resources or a different approach and some can provide connections and networking opportunities with other groups of similar interests.
Some subject advisers keep in touch with group convenors through newsletters or blogs which is a useful way of sharing suggestions or good practice, and some also organise study days.
They cover a wide range of subjects from American Archaeology to Yoga, with a real mix of academic, practical and leisure activities in between.
A list of subject advisers and their contact details can be found in each issue of Third Age Matters, and each subject has a page below where you can find links to additional information and resources.
If you want to find out more about what being a Subject Adviser entails, read the Subject Advisers’ Handbook below or contact us at subjectadvisers@u3a.org.uk