FAQs

Islington u3a is a charity run by members, for members.  We’re all volunteers.

No. You simply need to be someone who no longer works full-time.

No. You simply need to be someone who no longer works full-time.

No.

Yes – but you’ll need to pay the relevant annual membership fee for each u3a you join. There is a small reduction for Associate Memberships.

Yes. To register someone else’s details and pay the subscription on their behalf, please contact our Membership Secretary on iu3amembers@outlook.com.

Islington u3a doesn’t run classes.  Members join Interest Groups run by members, for members. We’re all volunteers. There are currently eighty-plus Interest Groups. From Art to Yoga. Please go to our Groups page for details.

Decide whether you want to search our eighty-plus groups Alphabetically, by Category or by Meeting Day. Click the link, choose the group you’re interested in - and you’ll find more details and how to contact the Group Coordinator.

The Group Coordinator you contacted may offer to put you on a waiting list. Or they may suggest that a new Group needs to be started – and ask if you would be interested in volunteering to become a Coordinator yourself. If you’d like to know how much fun that can be and what being a Coordinator might involve, our Groups Support lead, would love to hear from you at groups.iu3a@gmail.com.

Yes. Our Monthly Speaker Meetings take place in a fully accessible space in St Mary’s Church, Upper Street. There is a T-Coil system in the main hall for members who use hearing aids. Groups meeting up in members’ homes and other venues may involve stairs.  Each Group Coordinator can advise.

You’re welcome to attend one Monthly Speaker Meeting in St Mary’s Church, Upper Street, as a ‘taster’ before deciding. It’s a good chance to see us in action and meet members.

Unless they’re deciding whether or not to join Islington u3a (see above), we’re afraid you can’t bring guests along to events.  We don’t think it would be fair on members who’ve paid the annual fee.

Yes.  Anyone in receipt of pension credit, or other means-tested benefits, is entitled to a concessionary rate.  Our Membership Secretary on iu3amembers@outlook.com has details.

Most activities are free once you’ve paid your annual membership fee.  Exceptions include the cost of a model if life drawing, the expectation that people will buy a drink when meeting in a pub or café, and that they’ll contribute something for drinks provided in a member’s home. And we buy our own tickets to exhibitions, the theatre, cinema, opera and some Islington u3a social events.

Islington u3a welcomes anyone who is not working full-time.  We aim to treat each other and the wider community with respect and without judgement or bias, regardless of race, religion, national origin, skin colour, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age.

Contact our Volunteer Team at volunteersiu3a@gmail.com - and expect to be welcomed with open arms.  You’ll be added to our Volunteers’ Register and invited, from time to time, to help out at Islington u3a’s parties, to meet and greet at Monthly Speaker Meetings, to support Executive Committee Members at new member teas etc, etc. And it’s up to you to say yes or no each time, according to what suits you.