U3A - is it “full of middle-class snobby, cliquey women”?

[Ilovecleaning]

I am thinking of joining University of the Third Age. Any members, past or present, out there who think this description is reasonable or unreasonable? Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Many thanks for all your helpful comments (the usual couple of nobhead Mumsnet replies, but that’s to be expected 🙄).
It has been good to get opinions from actual members or those of you whose parents or in-laws who enjoy U3A.
I have signed up for the newsletter and I shall take it from there.
Thank you again, everyone.

My auntie loved U3A, especially after my uncle died. She went to the more "intellectual" classes, but that was her "thing".

I know a few people who have joined and have had nothing but good to say about it.

Would they allow a 40 year old to join?

A couple of ladies from my cycling club do U3A cycling - apparently they have to wait for the men to catch up with them.
Brilliantly, there is also a U3A triathlon club in my area

U3A dropped the word 'University' they do not run many courses that teach subjects. I went to beginners Bridge, some had been going for 3years, learned nothing and just wanted to chat.

I’m in the U3a, have been for about 9 months.

I do a dancing class, tai chi and have gone along to a quiz. Have chatted a lot to a retired nurse, a guy who worked as a labourer on the railways, a woman who worked in a cafe for many years, dentist, engineer, factory worker. So pretty mixed.

@PingBeep I am the only non white person so far but I live in a very white area so it’s not a shock. The dance class I go to has only women but the tai chi is two thirds women. Women live longer and there are quite a few widows so as it’s an organisation for the retired there it will always be top heavy woman wise. I would encourage him to go along. My branch let you go to a session or two before joining. But if he wants to meet more men then I think that men in sheds organisation is supposed to be pretty good.

I belong... no cliques ... v welcoming .... lots of variety.
If your Mum has seen a gap then why not fill it? I saw that there were no trips to classical concerts so I got on and started organising these. U3A is run by its members so she can offer her services.

I was the same and as soon as I retired I joined. I went to two groups Knit and Natter and Patchwork. The Knit and Natter was a disaster, there was one member who had strong views on everything and wasn’t afraid to share them and the ‘leader’ had memory issues. I enjoyed Patchwork but left when I joined a non U3A group that met at the same time but on a weekly basis.

I’m still a member but don’t currently attend any groups. I volunteered for a charity shop and found that more fulfilling.

The U3A in my area is a mix of men and women.
I belong to a craft group and yes, that is all women, they're kind and helpful and I never even thought about what 'class' they might be.

History group is an equal mix of men and women as are many other groups.

I did notice there are quite a lot of ex-teachers who join or are convenors of groups so perhaps their previous experience gives them the expertise to organise groups of unruly retired people. 😃

The company I work for used to let them hire our rooms. The people I met were nothing but rude, demanding and most definitely snobby.

My FIL is involved. He is certainly MC, but a lovely, gentle, friendly man, and he enjoys it very much.

My DM went through a number of different Knit and Natter groups for this reason, apparently they are very variable depending on the leader.

But a lot of groups are like this. I gave up the Book Group I went to when I realised the leader hated you if you voiced a different opinion to her.

I googled it as never heard of it before. Sounds like a good thing! Shame you can’t join if you are in work though

How can you tell if someone is middleclass?

Accent?

I looked at my local one online a few years ago. From the photos, 60 would seem to be be very young. My in-laws do a few things but they're nearly 80.

My parents go and it's great for them. My dad is not as naturally sociable as my mum so it's been great for him to get involved, go to talks..he runs a quiz now. I am at the point where I'm thinking about how each would cope should they be left alone and this is one thing I think will help them.

My aunt (retired GP) joined U3A after she retired and was widowed and she enjoys it. She's very social, not remotely cliquey, but definitely MC. I think it's a great way for older people to meet, do things and make friends in their area.

What why?

Charming!

I go to the poetry group, the music listening group and I run trips to classical concerts for them. Inevitably those groups do tend to be on the middle class side - but there are many other groups that are not; and lots of open events like garden visits, lectures (history. geology, science, literature etc.), walking groups. And many meet-ups for Sunday lunch, pub quizzes etc. They book out a row in the local cinema for various films. And they are very solo friendly, and disability friendly.

I originally misread U3A as USA.

My nan is a member and enjoys it. Shes 83 and has been a member for many years. Shes working class.

An older friend of mine did it pre-covid. She did table tennis, choir and a latin class.
She still does the latin class, but weirdly, every time I see her she complains about it! She complains about the woman who leads it, she complains about another woman who brings her silent dog in with her (friend doesn't like dogs), she complains about the course content. But STILL goes every week!

The title makes you look ridiculous 🙄