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	Welcome to the Website of the New Forest and Waterside Group of the University of the Third Age! Are you perhaps recently retired, and looking for an interesting activity that will keep you mentally stimulated? We are a thriving local organisation that welcomes new members, and if you are a resident of the New Forest and Waterside area, we hope that the information in this website will tempt you to find out more about what we have to offer. What is the University of the Third Age (U3A)? The U3A is an international movement run by and for people no longer in full time employment and in this context, the term ‘university’ is used in its medieval sense of people coming together to learn and to teach. The first U3A (Université du Troisième Age) was founded in France in 1972 and the movement first came to Britain in 1982. The aim, then as today, is to help members to develop their full potential, and to promote continued learning in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. The New Forest/Waterside U3A was founded in 1983 and celebrated 25 years in 2008. Who can join? Anyone no longer in full time employment who is prepared to share knowledge, skills, experience and interest with others. No qualifications are required and none are awarded – all you need is enthusiasm for learning and a mind open to new ideas. How is it run? In Britain there are over 600 independent and autonomous U3A’s which function under the umbrella of ‘The Third Age Trust’ based in Bromley, Kent. A National Executive is elected annually to deal with overall policy issues. At a local level, each U3A is administered by a committee whose members are elected from the membership.
	Registered Charity No. 1030719