Latest Group News

We currently have around 100 active groups but we always have room for more.

Many of us joined the u3a to connect, try new things and meet like‑minded people. If

our Groups are the lifeblood of the u3a, then our Group Leaders are the quiet heroes,

generous with their time, shaping interest into Groups that are supportive, fun and

grounded in peer‑to‑peer learning.

So, what is stopping you becoming a Group Leader? If you already belong to a

Group, you understand what makes one welcoming and enjoyable. You don’t need

special skills — just the willingness to help a Group run smoothly, and we’ll support

you every step of the way.

If you’re interested you can either fill in our Q&A, email groups@rru3a.org.uk with your ideas or visit the Groups Desk at the Friday meeting.

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Recent Vacancies

Comedy Improv

Learn basic improvisation skills, have fun and improve your mental health whilst improving your mental health. What could be better?

Hand Bells

We are an extremely enthusiastic, friendly and moderately-competent team. No previous experience is required but the ability to read music (however elementary) is useful.

German Conversation 1

An intermediate level German conversation. We get together and talk informally about current issues of the day, and anything else of interest.

Sunday Lunch Club 3

Enjoy Sunday lunch in good company at local pubs and restaurants, with members taking turns to suggest and book venues.

Bridge (Duplicate)

Duplicate Bridge is the playing format at bridge clubs. The cards are played from a board so that the same hands can be played by different pairs, thereby making it more competitive. This club is not suitable for beginners.

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Group Activities

Garden Explorers

A fabulous afternoon for the Garden Explorers, at a local garden in Chaldon, opened exclusively for our u3a just days after it had welcomed the public under the National Garden Scheme.

The owner began with a short talk on how she had designed it: a series of very different areas, or rooms, with several deliberately hidden from view as you first walk in, so the garden reveals itself a little at a time. Best of all, most of the planting was wonderfully familiar – the very plants many of us already grow at home – so there was real pleasure in seeing them put to work in quite different ways. Plenty of thought had gone into seasonal colour, and into shady corners for the family pets to enjoy.

Sewing Buddies 2

On the first Wednesday of every month, seven ladies arrive around a dining table. The one thing we have in common is a love of sewing. Out of bags come fabric, patterns, photos and notions. Ideas are thrown around and input is freely flowing. Sadly, we don’t have space for sewing machines, but that’s good, as we chat about what we want to make, how to do something and how to improve techniques. We encourage and learn in a very convivial way. We also arrange trips to exhibitions and for fabric buying. A wonderful and creative group.

Art History Group

We are a small group who meet each month in each other’s homes. The meetings generally involve a presentation of a particular artist or artistic movement, also embracing sculpture, pottery and ceramics. It is a very relaxed and happy group. Our discussions include any exhibitions we may have been to, and arranging outings, some of which have been to Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft, Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, The Royal Academy, The Grange in Rottingdean, Leighton House, Titsey House, Watts Gallery, Dorich House, as well as many trips to The National Gallery, the most recent being to Wright of Derby and a forthcoming trip to the Zurbarán exhibition.

Tai Chi Group

The Tai Chi group uses gentle Chi Gung stretching exercises to relax and increase mobility. This is followed by separate precise postures and short related movements that aid balance and increase strength. The separate postures are combined and linked by flowing movements, creating harmony for the mind and body.

Making Music Group AKA Mid8dle

The Making Music Group was started in 2018. Initially a small group of musicians met in each other’s front rooms to play favourite songs. The group grew and were joined by a vocalist and started to develop formal arrangements. Outgrowing rehearsing at home, the group moved to the Colman Redland Centre.

So why MID8DLE? A middle eight is a section of a song that provides contrast from the main verse and chorus and is traditionally about eight measures (or bars) long. The group thought it a good distinctive name, and it allowed a little fun in formatting the name with the number 8 in the middle of the word middle.

The group's first live performance was for patients and staff at The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Wandsworth. They played their first u3a event in May 2023 and have since played at three u3a end-of-year shows, twice at the Reigate Festival, at The Tadworth Court Children’s Hospital Summer Fete, and a number of times at various local lunch clubs.

If you would like further information about any of our groups, would like to start a group or would like to join a group, please contact us by completing the form which can be found on the Groups’ page or emailing us: groups@rru3a.org.uk