The University of the 3rd Age (U3A) is an international organisation offering education in a friendly setting to people who are no longer in full-time paid employment.
National U3A
The National U3a, known as The Third Age Trust (TTAT) is the central u3a organisation, based in London. It comprises a Board of Trustees and various advisory sub-committees. Currently, National U3A (The Third Age Trust) organises two Network Link meetings each year (in May and October) when representatives from all informal and formal Networks in the U3A movement can get together and discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.
U3A Networks
In the U3A movement, 'Network' is a generic term used for groups of U3As which have chosen to work together for the support and mutual benefit of the members of the U3As concerned. Boundaries vary with local practice and are determined by the member U3As, so they may or may not follow local authority boundaries. Networks may cross regional boundaries.
Networks choose their own organisational structures. Some are 'informal', with no constitution or no procedural rules, no committee, no bank account. Others may prefer to have a constitution which governs the running of the Network (eg elections to a committee, frequency of meetings, banking arrangements).
Regional u3as
Wooler U3A is a member of the formal national network, Northumbria Region U3A (for around fifty U3As in the North East and North Yorkshire). The Region organises events and disseminates National U3A guidance. It does not formally present member U3A views to the national body.
U3A 'Informal' Groupings
Wooler U3A is a member of the informal North Northumberland Network (for Alnwick, Berwick, Coquetdale and Wooler U3As) with whom we have mutual free access arrangements.