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The Country Smallholder
|October 2025
Introducing u3a: A creative lifeline in Rural Communities
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In the heart of many rural towns and villages across the UK, a quiet but powerful movement is helping people stay connected, curious, and creative in later life. The u3a, movement has been offering opportunities for lifelong learning and friendship since 1982. Today, with over 1,000 local u3as and around 400,000 members nationwide, it plays a vital role in enriching life for those no longer in full-time work.
For many, especially in more remote or rural areas where social opportunities may be limited, u3a serves as a crucial hub, a place to meet others, explore new interests, and rediscover old passions. Whether it’s literature, science, crafts, walking, or art, u3a groups cover a remarkable range of subjects. One of the most popular, and arguably most expressive, is photography.
LEARNING FOR THE JOY OF ITThis story is from the October 2025 edition of The Country Smallholder.
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