UCKFIELD U3A

Newsletter – February 2026

As this is our first newsletter of 2026, I may still be justified in wishing you a Happy New Year.

Our u3a goes from strength to strength with over 100 interest groups keeping our members busy and combatting loneliness for some through the friendships we grow. We offer far more group activities than neighbouring u3as, ensuring we have a broad choice.

In a recent committee meeting we reiterated our support for vulnerable members and those with disabilities. Our statement concerning this will appear on the website shortly. Anita Hewson and Beryl Venables are our committee members who respond to vulnerable members’ needs. Please contact either of them through the website if you are, or know, a member who needs more support.

Another aspect of Health & Safety that we have discussed is the issue of members’ next of kin. Many of you attend group meetings with friends who would know someone to call in the event of a medical emergency. However, this is not always the case. We are advising each member to ensure that somewhere in a wallet or handbag you carry a slip of paper stating a next of kin phone number. We are aware that this may be found on a smart phone if you know how to set the number up and access it from a locked screen. Nevertheless, a small slip of paper may be easier to access for some members. This is NOT a responsibility for Group Leaders. Your next of kin is confidential information and to be used only in an emergency to tell someone what has happened and which hospital you have been transferred to. We hope these are never used but it is sensible to be prepared.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our many Group Leaders and meeting Hosts who work hard to ensure our activities and meetings take place in safe and welcoming venues and are well prepared for. Incredibly, there are still members who believe it is unnecessary to reply to emails and messages concerning their attendance. This is the biggest challenge that Group Leaders and Hosts face and causes considerable angst when they have no idea who is attending an activity and, therefore, what preparations they need to make concerning accommodation, refreshments and materials.

Most of us are very thoughtful and appreciate this issue but a number are making the roles of Host and Group Leader so much harder. This negligence is frankly unacceptable.

Two of our groups could do with additional members, so if you fancy Card & Board Games or Pub Lunches please contact Beryl or Barbara through the website or at a monthly meeting and we can put you in contact with the group’s leader.

Additionally, Crowborough u3a have started a Metal Detecting group called Pastfinders. If you would like more details please contact the New Groups Convener on the Crowborough u3a website. No equipment is required, apparently!

We sincerely hope that you enjoy your u3a membership and activities throughout 2026.

Debbie Barnes (Chair)