Who Are We and What Do We Do?
Mansfield u3a is a local group of friendly, enthusiastic people who enjoy learning, sharing, and making the most of life. We’ve been around since 1999 and are proud to be part of a UK-wide charity that’s all about community, connection, and having fun.
There’s no age limit and no qualifications needed — just an interest in learning, sharing, and enjoying life. If that sounds like you, we’d love you to join us.
Our aim is simple: to encourage lifelong learning and help members take part in relaxed, enjoyable activities across a wide range of interests, hobbies, and subjects.
Whether you want to try something new, stay active, share your knowledge, or just enjoy good company, Mansfield u3a offers plenty of ways to learn, socialise, and make lasting friendships. While we’re based in Mansfield, our doors are open to anyone in the surrounding area.
The u3a Movement
The u3a (University of the Third Age) started in the UK in the early 1980s as a way for people who are no longer in full-time work to keep learning, stay active, and enjoy life — together.
The very first UK u3a began in Cambridge, founded by a group of academics. But today’s u3a has grown far beyond its academic roots — it’s all about shared learning, friendship, and informal fun in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
There are now over 1,000 u3as across the UK and more than 430,000 members. Each one is independent and run by volunteers, forming a vibrant nationwide network of local groups offering endless opportunities to get involved.
Everyone in u3a is a volunteer, and while there’s never any pressure, members are always encouraged to take part, lend a hand, or even start their own group if they feel inspired. The whole movement thrives on enthusiasm, shared knowledge, and community spirit.
See the The u3a movement, national and local page for details
Interest Groups
At the heart of Mansfield u3a are our 30+ Activity and Interest Groups, each led by a friendly volunteer Group Leader. These groups bring together members with shared interests — from walking and science to languages, music, crafts, and more.
Groups usually meet weekly, fortnightly, or monthly depending on the activity, and once you're a member, you can join as many as you like!
What Kind of Groups Do We Offer to Our Members?
We’ve got something for everyone — from physical activities like walking, hiking, and soft tennis, to creative sessions such as crafts and card making, along with more traditional subjects like history, and creative writing.
And we’re always open to new ideas! If you notice a gap in our group list and have the time or know-how to help, just chat with our Groups Coordinator. We’re always happy to try something new and support anyone who’d like to get a group off the ground.
👉 See our GROUPS page for full details.
Trips, Visits and Holidays
One of our most popular offerings is our programme of organised day trips to interesting places within a couple of hours’ drive of Mansfield. These trips are designed to suit different interests and budgets — often with a historical or educational angle — but above all, they’re a chance to explore, socialise, and enjoy a great day out.
👉 See our Events page for our next trip.
Monthly Meetings
We hold a Monthly Meeting at 10:00 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Civic Centre, Mansfield — and you’re very welcome to come along!
These friendly gatherings are open to all members and first-time guests. Each one features a talk from a guest speaker on a wide range of fascinating topics. Before the talk, we’ll share news from our groups, let you know about upcoming events, and enjoy a relaxed coffee break — a lovely way to catch up and meet new people.
New members are warmly welcomed and supported by a “buddy” who’ll help you settle in.
Parking is free, and the venue is fully accessible.
👉 See our Events page for full details of upcoming meetings.
