From this page you can directly access both our u3a National website and our Northumbria Region u3a website. Just click on the respective website images or links below. Note that by doing so you will leave this site.
The Third Age Trust (TAT) provides a central advisory service as regards the legalities of running a charity. TAT also organises some shared services such as Public Liability Insurance, a membership management system (Beacon), a managed website (u3a SiteWorks), and other central services that can be used by over 1,000 affiliated u3as. TAT issues a magazine called u3a Matters, offers a national website to disseminate information to visitors and members, coordinates subject advisors and special interest groups, and runs workshops for members. The Third Age Trust Trading Ltd (TATTL) is the legal trading arm of TAT. Below you will find links to some member activities.
Each Region appoints its own Trustee with u3a board representation. In addition each region elects two members to sit on the national council to agree things such as projects that will benefit their members. All u3as across the UK are part of a Regional group. There are twelve regions that cover different geographic areas of the UK. In Bishop Auckland we are part of the North East Region (previously Northumbria Region). As well as informative meetings there are regional events and activities on offer.
When you join u3a you join a local group but you also become a member of the wider u3a family with regional and national events and activities.
u3a can now be found in many countries around the world and if you are visiting places such as Spain or New Zealand you are usually welcomed in the local group as a visitor.
Activities and Events from National u3a
Benefits of being a u3a member.
The following are some of the benefits of being a u3a member that you may not be aware of. The Third Age Trust runs a number of activities and events that any u3a members can participate in, the majority of which are free of charge. With a UK wide membership of over 400,000, some of the events are on a first come first serve basis others are open to all.
All events and activities are listed on the u3a website. Select the link in the photo caption to go direct to the site.
Here are some of the interesting things you can find on the National u3a website. Just follow the links.
- The home page of the u3a website provides the latest news, gives you an overview of u3a, shares some member stories and gives you some useful links such as to the u3a Brand Centre where our u3a can access free non-copyright photos or buy u3a branded items like shirts, lanyards, leaflets, and umbrellas (free account required).
- Make the most of being part of u3a by getting involved with the many free initiatives and events offered across u3a. Learning for Everyone is a good place to start. The programme changes seasonally.
- Our National Initiatives showcase a wide range of learning activities for members to get involved in - from challenges and projects to competitions.
- Each year, there are National Creative Writing and Poetry writing competitions each year, so keep checking back for the announcement. Here is the link to the National Poetry Competition.
- We also have a u3a Radio podcast which is available on a variety of podcast platforms. If you subscribe or follow it, you will receive notification when a new episode is released.
- The u3a YouTube channel has a range of interesting videos, including promotional films, messages from the CEO and more.
- If you already run a group for Bishop Auckland u3a and would like some fresh ideas or if you have been considering running a group for Bishop Auckland u3a but not sure where to start, we have a team of over 80 volunteer Subject Advisors who can help and advise you.
- To access National Events go to this area of the u3a website where you will find links to the events. This includes, for instance, information on summer schools and the national Festival. The summer schools and the Festival are open to any u3a member from anywhere in the country.
- u3a offers a variety of educational events on a first-come, first-served basis. What would you like to join? Many online events are being delivered via the Zoom video conferencing/webinar platform. Towards the bottom of this page you can find some useful information about using Zoom. You can also subscribe to get early email notifications of upcoming educational events. Just click on the link on the Events page. There are still places available on many of the events listed.
- Interest Groups Online (IGO) offer online activities to any u3a member or non-member who joins this group. It is part of the national learning provision. Members of local u3as like Bishop Auckland can join IGO, the fee is £12 for the year. To see what’s on offer check out Interest Groups Online
- You may like to follow u3a on social media for regular updates about what is happening across the movement. Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Activities and Events from Regional u3a
North East Region (previously Northumbria Region) covers a very large area from Bedale in North Yorkshire in the south to Berwick-upon-Tweed on the Scottish border in the north. Click on the photo to go directly to our Regional website where you will find lots of information.
Like our own u3a websites there are a number of pages where you can find information.
- Welcome helps you find your way around the website with some quick links to useful items
- About gives you some regional background with links to the national site.
- News is a page that generally shares a message from our regional council along with some general u3a information such as a summer school event.
- Members page gives you a list of all of the u3as in our region but also gives group leaders access to a local speakers list.
- The Networks page provides information about local u3a networks and also special interest networks that operate within the region.
- Events: North East Region holds regular meetings and events at various venues throughout the region to give as many local members as possible the opportunity to attend. The meetings often include an optional lunch which is a great way to chat to others from around the region on a social basis. This includes details of the regional festival and a golf day. The Regional AGM usually takes place in April and all are invited to reserve a place if they want to attend.
- Messenger highlights articles in the publication and you can read an online copy of the latest edition of The Messenger from this page and/or view archived copies.
- In addition to this website we also have a Facebook page: nru3a facebook
- No u3a website would be complete without Committee details but on this page you can also find details of our regional Trust Volunteers.
Bishop Auckland & District u3a and the Region
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2026 Regional Festival
On 12th May 2026 the newly named North East Region held the first Regional Festival of Fun, Music, and Learning at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens. It was very well-organised with a choice of about eight options per hour all day. It was an early start with registration from 8.30 but the process was…
There are many Facebook pages you can join if you are interested. As usual with private pages you will need to apply to join the group using the on-screen button but acceptance is usually very fast.
Many u3as have their own private Facebook pages that you will find if you search 'u3a' in the Facebook search box. There are also some special interest Facebook pages. Some u3a Facebook pages are sponsored by the Third Age Trust. These include: -
Zoom Meetings
Some u3a Regional or National events use Zoom. It’s really easy to take part. All you need is a smart phone, tablet, or laptop/desktop computer with microphone and speakers so you can speak and hear and a webcam and screen so you can see others at the meeting and they can see you. Most modern devices have these features already built in.
If you have asked the organiser if you can attend a meeting then you will get an email in advance to confirm. Below is an example of an email that you would receive to join a meeting, see other members, and have a catch up. The invitation gives you the date and time. The only thing you have to do is click on the very long line of numbers and you will automatically join the meeting. Give it a try next time you see an event you fancy joining. The first time you use Zoom you might have some setting up to do. Just follow the screen prompts. The set up process is once only.
Jenny Smith is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Jenny Smith Zoom Meeting
Time: Feb 4, 2026 09:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73905193424?pwd=dGk3WVBzRERlL0hOMlAzVjQ3NTFuZz09
The bold line above is where you click and just wait and be directed to the meeting, that is all.
Meeting ID: 739 0519 3424
Passcode: 97tsyZ
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