Welcome to u3a York

Looking for new and fun activities, now that you are no longer tied to a 9-to-5?
Come and join u3a York

Who is u3a York for?

Membership of u3a York is open to all who are retired or no longer in full time employment, and provides the opportunity to enjoy a wide selection of activities - educational, cultural, recreational, physical and social - in an informal and friendly atmosphere with like minded people.

What does u3a York do?

Most group activities are during the week between 9.00am and 5.00pm and are located at sites in and around York. There are about 130 groups to choose from so there is something for everyone. More information can be found on the Groups page.

See the lists below for notices and future events.

How can I contact u3a York?

You can visit us in person at our office and talk to volunteers, see details here for our opening hours and how to get in touch, or click "Contact Us" in the menu above.

A word cloud showing the groups and interests of u3a York

Click a heading for more information

"The u3a York Times" Published

A new (the first!) edition of "The u3a York Times" is available for your perusal and enjoyment.

Lots of volunteering Opportunities!

See the opportunities page for more information and contact details.

Honorary Members' Stories

Click through to read more about the members of u3a York that have been with us for 30 years or more.

Membership renewal

An important note from the Membership Team about renewing your membership.

Click a heading for more information

Saturday 25th April 2026
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Chatting (with tea/coffee and cake/biscuit) followed by a couple of hours of board games. Bring along your favourite board game to share with everyone!
Click the heading for more information.
Cost: £3 (includes tea/coffee and biscuits)
Booking Required
Saturday 9th May 2026
10:30 am
Paddy Neligan will explore the processes of ageing - the underlying mechanisms and effects - to question perceptions, and to look at ways in which we may modify the effects of the march of time. How can we age well?
Click the heading for more information.
Cost: £3 plus £1 for refreshments (from 09:45)
Saturday 23rd May 2026
10:00 am
Discover the only accessible Carthusian monastic site in the country, its reclusive monks and the links to a 19th-century industrial Titan and his family.
Speaker: Phil Burton
Cost: £3 (includes tea/coffee and biscuits)
Booking Required

What is u3a?

u3a is a non-religious, non-political, self-help organisation for people who are retired, or not in full-time employment. It provides opportunities for members to pursue educational, creative and leisure activities in a friendly environment as well as using their skills to contribute to the running of u3a York.

u3a's Aims

  • To encourage and enable people who have retired or are not in full-time employment to help each other to share their knowledge, skills, interests and experience.
  • To make u3as accessible to all eligible people.
  • To encourage the establishment of u3as in every part of the country where conditions are suitable and to support and collaborate with them.

u3a in the UK

All local u3as are autonomous but are members of The Third Age Trust. The Trust is a national, umbrella body (a Registered Charity and Limited Company) that represents all u3as at a national and international level. There are over 1000 u3as in the UK involving over 400,000 members, with more joining all the time.

u3a in York

u3a York is a registered charity and is run by a Board of Trustees who are volunteers. All the groups are also led by volunteers who have a skill, knowledge, or area of expertise which they are happy to share with others.