This page features our volunteers and how they are fulfilling our aim of:
“By the Members for the Members“
Monthly Meetings
Volunteers are required to support our existing STARs team in the running of our two monthly meetings. Help is needed with: Meeting and Greeting members on arrival, setting out tables and chairs, providing audio-visual support, serving refreshments and welcoming new members at the ‘HW Get Togethers’. (See below for further details)
UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL – GET INVOLVED!
The u3a ethos is one of shared, participative and self-help learning. All members are volunteers and all have a role to play in the success of HWu3a. The benefits of volunteering are well-known, as shown by comments from some of our volunteers below.
YOUR GROUP NEEDS YOU
The HWu3a membership is increasing steadily month by month and, although there are over 80 interest groups, we need more to ensure that all members can access the groups they want to join, thus keeping waiting lists to a minimum. This means more volunteers taking on Group Coordinator roles.
It’s not as daunting as it sounds because support will be given at every stage and we encourage sharing responsibilities to spread the load. Getting other group members on board is highly recommended, e.g. to collect venue fees, contact members, lead activities, contribute skills, knowledge and expertise, to name but a few.
The following people will help you with any group-related volunteering:
Peter Saunders, Groups Facilitator groups@hwu3a.org.uk
Adriana White, New Groups Facilitator newgroups@hwu3a.org.uk
Robert Davison, Premises Officer premises@hwu3a.org.uk
Clare Heaton, Treasurer treasurer@hwu3a.org.uk
Anne Wilson is heading up our STARS programme: “Special Tasks and Resources”
STARs
‘By the members, for the members’ is the strap line for HWu3a. ‘We need to build up a team of members who are keen to help out in lots of ways. It doesn’t have to be every week or month, but when you are free. It can be for a one off special event or several things throughout the year.’
If you’d like to help out at either or both of our monthly meetings, please email Anne stars@hwu3a.org.uk or call her for a friendly chat to find out more on: 07712 183527.
Some of our STARs
‘I originally joined the HWu3a because of the digital photography groups available, then became a monthly volunteer when the requests were made for help with the tech areas as I wanted to contribute to the organisation and to help out where I could. Now the volunteering has grown to include the Movie, Photography and Drone groups. I enjoy being involved and it’s great to meet folks.’
Jim
‘Being Trips Co-ordinator enables me to meet a wide range of like minded u3a members and organise trips that I will enjoy as hopefully will they.’
Maryan
‘While helping with the newsletter and providing I.T. support I have got to know many group leaders and other members, hearing about their activities as u3a members.’
Stephen
Why not join our STAR volunteers? This is what two of them say
Pat
‘I don’t want to be on the committee but I want to support them by doing some of the smaller, occasional tasks like the refreshments at general meetings. I also get to talk to lots of different people this way.’
Anne
‘To volunteer in any form, is a wonderful opportunity to meet, interact, help, support and enjoy the company of others. When I return home I have a great feeling of satisfaction and a job well done.’
Join STARs: stars@hwu3a.org.uk
You can also make a difference by volunteering in the following areas:
Help is required with updating or providing information to the website, magazine production, Facebook page and members with basic computer skills are needed by the technical team. Please contact Jack Horton if you can help in these areas: marketing@hwu3a.org.uk Telephone No. 07511 749462
Full support and guidance are readily on offer from:
Peter Saunders, Groups Facilitator groups@hwu3a.org.uk
Adriana White, New Groups Facilitator newgroups@hwu3a.org.uk
At Harborough Welland u3a we are keen for all members to develop to their full potential – so seize the opportunity of shadowing one of our Hwu3a officers: such as Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary etc.
Contact Louise Elsome chair@hwu3a.org.uk
Telephone no: 07740 572956
Our Facebook Page
Mandy Thompson and Don West set up the HWu3a Facebook page just over two years ago and have been instrumental in encouraging members to post so that news is always up to date.
Mandy says, ‘My input was in response to your call for help with publicity. I enjoy participating in u3a groups and wanted to contribute in some way. I have some experience with Facebook and felt that this and social media in general was an area that the u3a should be taking advantage of. Hopefully this will continue to grow and evolve.’
When asked about the benefits of volunteering, Don confirmed, ‘It’s always good to put a little bit back into any organisation and to help out where I can. I enjoy Facebook and am reasonably competent at using it so it was a pleasure to help with setting up the group.’
At of May 2025, 375 members. Can you help us make this number even bigger? Check us out on: Harborough Welland u3a