Mature Times - Groups & Societies

Older People’s Forums are coming of age

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:10:42 +0100

Mature Times has had exclusive access to new research that shows that the way that older people organize themselves into pressure groups is changing to meet the needs - and aspirations - of the nation’s 20 million 50+ population.

£130m grant scheme opens to small local voluntary and community groups

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:39:54 +0100

The Government declared its £130 million "Grassroots Grants" scheme open for business last week - and is urging small local voluntary and community groups to come forward and "get their hands" on essential funding. Whether you are a local club needing new kit, coaching new volunteers or simply giving the village hall a fresh lick of paint, Grassroots Grants aim to make a real difference to the work of any small and local community groups with annual incomes below £20,000.

Book your places now for the U3A AGM

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:47:27 +0100

This year the University of the Third Age (U3A) will celebrate the diversity and inclusiveness of the U3A movement at its AGM and National Conference, to be held at Swansea University Campus on 6th - 9th September 2008. Organized by National U3A who will arrange the speakers and formal sessions, delegates from around the UK will be given a warm Welsh welcome and an excellent entertainment programme.

Banstead U3A celebrate Odette Ellicott Day.

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:18:25 +0100

16th July 2008 saw members of Banstead U3A come together to celebrate Odette Ellicott Day.

Solo Seniors meet up in Cardiff

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:07:55 +0100

Have you ever wished you had more friends? Someone to meet for dinner, or an evening out? Sometimes it’s quite difficult to meet people when you are on your own, especially once you retire. If this sounds like you, and you live in Cardiff, then here's news of a new club that aims to bring older people together.

The NHS Retirement Fellowship - still going strong after 30 years

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:29:01 +0100

Do you, or did you work for the NHS? If so, The NHS Retirement Fellowship has lots to offer - and with 200 branches nationwide, there's probably one near you.

Friendship Centres on the move

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:07:25 +0100

Until a couple of years ago, The Association of Retired and Persons Over 50 (ARP/050) had 120,000 members, making it one of the largest social networks in the country. A change of ownership saw membership decline severely. But now a new national organisation is arising, phoenix-like, out of the ashes: the “Federation of Friendship Centres”. Mature Times editor Tony Watts reports.

Save Britain's waders!

Thu, 08 May 2008 09:38:03 +0100

The Countryside Alliance has launched a 'Save the Wader' campaign to protect wading birds in the UK in response to a report revealing their sharp decline in numbers - and the failure of anyone in the conservation establishment to do anything decisive about it.

Launch of new Friendship Centre Federation marks a "Retirement Club Revolution"

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:38:59 +0100

The time was when the local ‘Over Sixties Club’ offered little more than a few verses of ‘Daisy! Daisy!’, a cup of tea and a chat from the local vicar. No more. Now it is organised holidays, dinner parties and a host of other activities from computing to caravanning.

Giving back to elders in the community

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:57:50 +0000

By combining resources of every kind, local people and businesses across Powys are reaching out to elders using a new and unique community-building website.

News from Chiltern U3A

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:38:21 +0100

Chiltern U3A recently announced the launch of a new local U3A group. Over 200 people attended the launch meeting at the Drake Hall, Amersham on 11th September, with a further 70 keen to join but unable to attend.

The Friendship Centre Federation embrace special interest groups

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:02:57 +0100

Have you got a Special Interest? If so, find out about what the Federation has to offer you.

Cream Tea Special for U3A Roseland and District

Wed, 21 May 2008 11:11:51 +0100

The University of the Third Age Roseland and District has a lot to offer residents of the Roseland in Cornwall and its surrounding district; and now they're offering cream teas in order to raise much needed funds.

Community Choir is improving people's lives

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:10:58 +0100

A new community choir for the over 50s organised by Age Concern Exeter as one of their Link 2 projects has been helping many older people who live in Exeter to grow in confidence and have fun.

Join the Weyhill Electronic Organ Society and enjoy music for everyone!

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:33:50 +0100

Back in the Sixties and Seventies, electronic organ music started to become a hugely popular form of entertainment, with BBC Radio 2 producing a weekly one-hour broadcast, 'The Organist Entertains'. And it was this programme which inspired the formation of the Weyhill Electronic Organ Society.