Forthcoming national events
These events are organised by the national u3a and are open to all members. Click on the event title for more information and to book.
| no | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1788948000 | 9th September 2026 10am | Laughter yoga with Judith: September Laughter Yoga combines hearty laughter exercises with deep yoga-style breathing (pranayama). Hosted by Judith Anne Walker of Edinburgh u3a. Free - online via Zoom
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| 1789380000 | 14th September 2026 10am | Exploring world faiths: September Faith and gratitude Explore how three faith traditions understand gratitude and discover the enduring value of thankfulness in everyday life.
Free - online via Zoom |
| 1789480800 | 15th September 2026 2pm | Introduction to cryptic crosswords Try your hand at solving cryptic clues on this two-hour taster session with Henry Howarth, u3a Subject Adviser for Cryptic Crosswords. Free - online via Zoom |
| 1789552800 | 16th September 2026 10am | Life in your smallest rooms: the history of personal hygiene Learn about the history and science of washing, shaving and personal hygiene, with David of Wrekin u3a and Wolverhampton u3a. Free - online via Zoom |
| 1789552800 | 16th September 2026 10am | Mindfulness and meditation series We welcome back the six week course of Mindfulness and Meditation led by members of Sheffield u3a Mindful Ageing Group John, Mike and Ruth. Wednesdays at 10am for 6 weeks, starting Free - online via Zoom |
| 1789639200 | 17th September 2026 10am | “The Titanic Sails At Dawn” - punk in the 1970s Join Lee Wellbrook to explore the origins, growth and legacy of punk in the UK in the 1970s. Free - online via Zoom u3a Rewind |
| 1789639200 | 17th September 2026 10am | Mindfulness and meditation continuation session: September Join us each month as we continue the practices introduced in the Mindfulness and Meditation Series, and introduce new ones. Free - online via Zoom |
| 1789999200 | 21st September 2026 2pm | Secrets of the human brain - sleep and dreams Dr Bob Pullen reveals how different parts of the brain are responsible for keeping us awake and making us go to sleep. Free - online via Zoom A u3a week event |
| 1790085600 | 22nd September 2026 2pm | The Enchanted Archipelago - a journey through the Galapagos Join HX Ambassador Monty Halls as he tells the remarkable story of this most iconic of archipelagos and learn about the wildlife and history. Free - online via Zoom A u3a week event |
| 1790258400 | 24th September 2026 2pm | Future Lives - promoting brain health: from evidence to action Join our panel of researchers as they explore evidence-based ways to improve and maintain brain health. Free - online via Zoom A u3a week event |
| 1790330400 | 25th September 2026 10am | AI News September: four years of AI chatbots Join the u3a 'AI for everyone' team as we reflect on four years of AI chatbots and how AI has been embraced by many u3a members. Free - online via Zoom |
| 1790330400 | 25th September 2026 10am | Live cookery demonstration - try something new Chef Alex from ‘Vegetarian for Life’ shares live on Zoom his delicious autumn recipes, especially for u3a members.
Free - online via Zoom A u3a week event |
| 1790679600 | 29th September 2026 11am | Experimental brain research: from old suppositions to modern observations In this Science Network talk, Professor Itamar Ronen describes theories of how the brain works and modern experimental approaches focussing on neuroimaging. Free - online via Zoom
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| 1790863200 | 1st October 2026 2pm | Mods versus rockers: a 1960s 'moral panic'? In the early 1960s, most young people defined themselves as either ‘mods’ or ‘rockers’. Jack Fawbert charts the development of this phenomenon. Free - online via Zoom u3a Rewind Phil Sellens from East Sussex, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons |
| 1791208800 | 5th October 2026 2pm | A history of the world according to sheep Join Alan Freeland to discover how sheep, wool and the wool trade have shaped British history, built fortunes, influenced society and even helped win wars.
Free - online via Zoom |
| 1791280800 | 6th October 2026 10am | Flight inspirations aviation group: October Early aircrew training Discover how aviation’s earliest pioneers learned to train pilots from scratch, transforming trial-and-error instruction into structured flying schools in little more than a decade. Free - online via Zoom |
| 1791284400 | 6th October 2026 11am | First light: the formation of the first stars, blackholes, and galaxies In this Science Network talk, Professor Stephen Wilkins takes us to space, describing the surprises of our universe being uncovered by the James Webb Space Telescope. Free - online via Zoom
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| 1791468000 | 8th October 2026 2pm | Darkness on the edge of town: Bruce Springsteen and the American dream Chris Dowrick explores how Bruce Springsteen turned personal alienation into a musical mission to expose the gap between the American dream and reality.
Free - online via Zoom u3a Rewind |
| 1791554400 | 9th October 2026 2pm | On the threshold of a dream: music, imagination and the late 60s-early 70s Martin Hellawell explores an exciting era of musical change, from the psychedelic sounds of the late 1960s to the rise and evolution of progressive rock.
Free - online via Zoom u3a Rewind |
| 1791813600 | 12th October 2026 2pm | Introducing AI and AI in Scotland Explore the world of AI: what it is, where it’s found, how u3a members use it, and Scotland’s leading role in AI. Free - online via Zoom |
| 1791900000 | 13th October 2026 2pm | Your guide to feeling connected in a digital world Join Helen from AbilityNet to build confidence online and discover simple, safe ways to stay connected, make friends and communicate with others using technology.
Free - online via Zoom |
| 1792058400 | 15th October 2026 10am | Mindfulness and meditation continuation session: October Join us each month as we continue the practices introduced in the Mindfulness and Meditation Series, and introduce new ones. Free - online via Zoom |
| 1793714400 | 3rd November 2026 2pm | Cryptic crosswords for beginners: six-session course Join Henry Howarth, u3a Subject Adviser for Cryptic Crosswords, for a six-session course on how to solve cryptic crosswords. Starts on Registration closes on Thursday 15 October Free - online via Zoom |
| 1792159200 | 16th October 2026 2pm | The u3a Essay Competition 2026 award ceremony Join us online to celebrate the very best of u3a writing at the 2026 Essay Competition award ceremony. Discover this year’s shortlisted essays and their authors, and be there as we reveal the winner and runners-up from more than 140 entries from across the UK. Free - online via Zoom |
| 1792677600 | 22nd October 2026 2pm | The US constitution vs. unitary executive power Join Don Mobley to discover how presidential power is reshaping US democracy. Explore Project 2025, executive authority and the 2026 midterm elections. Free - online via Zoom |
| 1793023200 | 26th October 2026 2pm | Secrets of the human brain: behaviour and personality Dr. Bob Pullen explores the way that parts of the brain influence behaviour and thinking. Free - online via Zoom |
| 1793282400 | 29th October 2026 2pm | Art deco days Discover the glamour and innovation of 1930s Scotland through its striking Art Deco architecture, design and culture with Jackie Sangster from Historic Environment Scotland. Free - online via Zoom Missing Pieces |
| 1793628000 | 2nd November 2026 2pm | Preparing for an AI world Explore the world of AI in this practical four-week course for beginners. Discover how to use AI chatbots, create and edit images, work with documents, improve your prompts, explore useful tools, and consider how to use AI safely and responsibly. Mondays for four weeks starting:
Free - online via Zoom |
| 1793973600 | 6th November 2026 2pm | Melancholy as a creative force: Joni Mitchell's Blue album Join Prof. Chris Dowrick to explore how Joni Mitchell’s Blue transforms melancholy into a creative force, opening a path to self-awareness and self-possession.
Free - online via Zoom u3a Rewind |