U3A [University of the Third Age] SUTTON BALDOYLE, DUBLIN NORTH EAST By Eileen Sweeny
So what is U3A?
U3A Sutton Baldoyle started over 15 years ago, in 2005, and soon afterwards joined the Fingal Older Persons Council [formally Fingal Senior Citizens Network]. Ten years earlier in 1995 Age Action, who provide numerous services for the over 55 age group, piloted the first U3A Group in Ireland that promotes lifelong learning and it is one of Age Action’s very active programmes for older persons. There is now a significant network of U3A groups around Ireland. Since 1973 U3A groups exist all around the world and in 2003 Virtual U3A [or vU3A] was set up mainly to cater for the lifelong learning needs of older people who are isolated for a number different reasons, amongst others, such as location, transport, mobility, health0. We at U3A Sutton Baldoyle link in and collaborate with other U3A groups in Ireland and worldwide and other local and national community organisations.
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U3A stands for University of the Third Age. The term ‘Third Age’ signifies a period of our life that allows us to pursue new interests and activities which support and promote the concept of Life Long Learning [triple ‘LLL’} continuous personal development. No two U3A groups are the same. Each U3A group is independent. Members of U3A Sutton Baldoyle all work on a voluntary basis, with no hierarchies and minimum bureaucracy. We meet at Baldoyle Library once a month from September to May and during the summer month’s events teams facilitate and coordinate cultural visits around the city and country. We have a very wide and diverse range of interests and a high level of curiosity. All these events and activities provide great opportunities to meet new people, share interests and make new friends. However with the arrival of Sars Cov2 infectious disease virus all activities to meet up in person at Baldoyle Library, Cultural Events, and theatre visits were suspended. However new learning opportunities presented themselves, particularly via online platforms. Like the rest of the population we all suddenly had to rethink, transform and adapt as to how to stay safe and stay connected.
www.agefriendlyireland.ie
