U3A to relaunch
Community
emergence from COVID-19 has prompted Horsham University of the Third Age to start planning for what members are hoping will be a busy 2021.
Group spokesman Rick Walker confirmed that the Horsham group was determined to reignite a diverse program schedule and would call for membership registrations in January.
“We will be back and reopening for registrations between 10am and 3pm on January 21. Not only that, we’ll carry over membership for anyone who signed on this year so they won’t have to pay anything next year,” he said.
Horsham U3A registration day will be at the organisation’s headquarters at Horsham Railway Station.
Mr Walker said it was important that U3A groups bounced back strongly after the pandemic.
“For us, apart from two online programs, everything stopped. But we’re keen to get everything up and running again,” he said.
Mr Walker said he suspected many people in the community would be sick of or have a much clearer understanding of social isolation after the pandemic and be looking for a creative outlet.
“At U3A we recognise the demoralising effect social isolation has on the older section of the community. Because it is invisible, being lonely is something that people are not prepared to admit to,” he said.
“Emerging from this pandemic represents a perfect opportunity to come and see what we offer, to meet people and to get active.
“U3A provides a great outlet for people who are not fully employed.”
The University of the Third Age, an international movement designed to provide, at low cost, lifelong learning opportunities for retired people in an informal environment, started in France in 1973.
No prior qualifications are needed and courses do not award qualifications. Implicit in U3A’S philosophy is the importance of social interaction through courses and discussions involving tutors and students.
More information about Horsham U3A is available on website www.horshamu3a.org.au.