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The University of the Third Age

(Welwyn Hatfield)

Study Groups.

Study Groups are small autonomous groups of members who, sharing a common interest in a subject, meet to pursue it. Groups are run by the members for the members. For further information, please always make your first approach by telephone to the Leader to check whether a place is available. Their telephone numbers are given below. Please note that you must be a member of the Welwyn Hatfield U3A before you can join any of these study-groups.

Most Groups meet in members’ homes, online by Zoom, or in a hired venue. Groups usually meet weekly, monthly or twice-monthly, as shown on the listing below, term-time only. Please note that Groups meeting in Halls need to cover the hire cost, so there will be a charge to attend these meetings. Costs vary, please check with the Group Leader.

Groups can be formed on any subject, provided that there is a leader and a group of six or more members who are interested. You do not need to be an expert to lead a Group – just enthusiastic! Please contact the Groups Co-ordinator, E-mail: groups@u3awelhat.org.uk

If you wish to join a study group, please speak to the group leader beforehand, to ensure that there is a place available, and also to ensure that it is suitable for you.

If you belong to a study group and are unable to attend a meeting, please inform the group leader. Prolonged non-attendance may be taken to indicate that you no longer wish to be a member of the group.

Further information about individual Study Groups can usually be obtained by clicking on the Study Group name in the table below.
Please note that where the venue is "Zoom" this means that meetings are currently being held on-line, using "Zoom" software.

Proposed New Group - Age: Childhood to Years of Experience

In the light of the previous two publications: Childhood War Memories and Growing Up in Post-War Britain, the group is now considering the influence these experiences have had on the final chapter of long lives.

A resultant third booklet may arise from writing personally about our here and now existence. We could offer one or two spaces in this group.

Time of the group: First and Third Tuesdays of the month 2 -3:30pm.

Contact Mary Perren: 0771 6783490, Email: maryperren@icloud.com

Proposed New Group - World War Two Memories: Influences on a Long Life

Up to seven participants.

Time of the group: Second and Fourth Tuesday of the month 2-3:30pm

Contact Mary Perren 0771 6783490, Email: maryperren@icloud.com

Proposed New Group - Music Appreciation

Denis Smith is considering starting up a Group for people interested in music, mainly classical music (“classical” in the broadest sense of the term). Day, time and place of meeting to be decided. This would be for people wanting to listen to music and learn more about it and also those willing to share music they love, to talk about the music and perhaps the composers and performers, each session. This would be a self-help Group, with members contributing or requesting their choice, with background information etc..

If you are interested in joining then please contact Denis on 01707 321922, or mobile 07846 639346.

For an overview of the outings planned by the various study groups, click here.

For an overview of when the study groups meet, click here

If the group that you'd like to join is full (or doesn't exist), please contact the Group co-ordinator (email: groups@u3awelhat.org.uk) who will endeavour to find a solution for you.

Resources (mainly) for Group Leaders

You can download an Attendance Register, which you can have as a PDF, or a Microsoft Word document ('Doc' format). Use PDF if you are just going to print it, and Doc format if you want to edit it yourself.

• If you'd like it as a PDF, click here (for one in "portrait" format), or here (for one in "landscape" format).
• If you'd prefer it in a format that you can amend (i.e. Microsoft 'Doc' format), click here (for one in "portrait" format), or here (for one in "landscape" format), then save the document to your PC. Please note that for this to work properly, you'll need to have something called "File Associations" set up correctly on your PC. You'll also probably need to have Microsoft Word installed on your PC.

Safety and Risk Assessment

• General Guidance for Committee Members and Group Leaders re Risk Assessments (May 2021) - click here (PDF).
• Outdoor activity risk assessment checklist - click here (for a PDF file) or here (for a DOC file).
• Venue day of use checklist - click here (for a PDF file) or here(for a DOC file).
• Venue Risk Assessment checklist blank - click here (for a PDF file) or here for a DOC file).
• Accident Report form - click here (for a PDF file) or here (for a DOC file).
• (For individual group members) Click here for the Personal Members Checklist (PDF).

The Third Age trust has published a number of documents that may be useful, as follows:-

• Steps to ensure that electrical equipment is safe - click here (PDF).
• Register for portable appliances - click here (PDF)
• First-aid advice if a someone becomes ill - click here (PDF).
• General advice for group leader/convenors - click here (PDF).
• Incident Report form that you can use to ensure all relevant information is captured - click here (PDF).
• Information on the insurance cover provided by the Third Age Trust - click here (PDF).
• Information on the licenses held by the trust to cover musical performances - click here (PDF). Click here (PDF), to see our MPLC Film Licence, and click here (PDF), to see our PPL/PRS recorded music Licence.
• Copyright Licence Certificate, held by WelHat u3a - Click here (PDF), for copying written or printed materials.
• A checklist for meetings held in workshops with potentially hazardous equipment - click here (PDF).
• A document answering Frequently Asked Questions about u3a Insurance - click here (PDF).

Tour Guide System

To see a categorised listing of the groups click here (PDF).