As a u3a member you can attend the u3a's many online talks and courses. Here expert members share their knowledge. Well-known speakers appear from time to time. Most are free - the free events are so popular that it's an idea to book as soon as you find your interest. The events are listed below - get ahead and sign up for monthly updates: (u3a.org.uk/what-we-do/events/educational-events). The booking system uses eventbrite which sends out helpful reminders.
Scroll down to see the full programme below:
u3a radio podcast - June
Listen to our monthly radio series on our YouTube and podcast platforms. This month: Beyond Beliefs Vatican Radio Supporting Romain Orphanages
Date:
Time:
Location:
Mrs. Charles Dickens tells her story
u3a Festival Fringe Annie Elliot gives a powerful reimagining of Catherine Dickens’ silenced voice, revealing love, betrayal, and truth behind Charles Dickens’ marriage. Thursday 2 July at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Thu 02 Jul 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
Watercolours with Tony
u3a Festival Fringe Join Tony Burke, who runs watercolour classes with Huddersfield u3a, for this interactive painting sessions. Monday 6 July at 10am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Mon 06 Jul 2026
Time: 10:00
Location: online via Zoom
Flight Inspirations Aviation Group: July
During the final years of the Cold War, the 48th Fighter Wing’s F-111Fs at RAF Lakenheath provided NATO with a credible, survivable nuclear deterrent that Soviet planners respected which contributed to ending the Cold War without employing nuclear weapons. Tuesday 7 July at 10am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Tue 07 Jul 2026
Time: 10:00
Location: online via Zoom
Future Lives: Nature within - How connecting with nature supports our health and wellbeing
In this talk, James Bashford explores how our brains benefit from the natural world and how we can overcome modern nature-deficit disorder Tuesday 7 July at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Tue 07 Jul 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
Laughter yoga with Judith: July
Laughter Yoga combines hearty laughter exercises with deep yoga-style breathing (pranayama). Hosted by Judith Anne Walker of Edinburgh u3a. Wednesday 8 July at 10am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Wed 08 Jul 2026
Time: 10:00
Location: online via Zoom
The history of shoes
u3a Festival Fringe Robin Taylor takes us on a journey of shoes, from historical styles to modern trends, sharing insights from his career as a shoe designer. Wednesday 8 July at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Wed 08 Jul 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
Fusion tai qi gong
u3a Festival Fringe Discover calm, balance and wellbeing with Gordon’s gentle fusion tai chi & qi gong taster session on Zoom. Thursday 9 July at 10am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Time: 10:00
Location: online via Zoom
Artemisia - vision or vengeance
u3a Festival Fringe Join us for a presentation where we delve into the groundbreaking artistry of one of history's most amazing female painters. Thursday 9 July at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Thu 09 Jul 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
AI News: Generative AI in academia and at home - practical lessons from inside the research community.
Professor Rose Luckin shares with us what is really happening with AI in Education and shares some tips for using AI at home. Friday 10 July at 9.30am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Fri 10 Jul 2026
Time: 09:30
Location: online via Zoom
The role of women in ancient Egypt
u3a Festival Fringe Join Neil Stevenson, Subject Adviser for Egyptology, to explore the status of women in ancient Egypt. Friday 10 July at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Fri 10 Jul 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
Exploring World Faiths: July
Faith and humanitarianism World Humanitarian Day occurs in August. We will explore how 3 different faiths manifest humanitarianism in their beliefs and practice. Monday 13 July at 10am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Mon 13 Jul 2026
Time: 10:00
Location: online via Zoom
A few small nips: Frida Kahlo and the art of pain
Frida Kahlo is one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, famous for her colourful self-portraits. She endured severe physical, emotional, and psychological traumas during her lifetime, yet her art transcends a life of pain and disability. Thursday 16 July at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Thu 16 Jul 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
A virtual tour of the Watts Gallery and Artists' Village
Join u3a Farnham member and Watts Gallery guide, Alan Freeland as he takes us on a one hour virtual tour of the Watts Gallery Artist Village in Compton, Surrey. Monday 20 July at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
Laughter yoga with Merrie Maggie: July
Bring more joy and laughter to your life with Laughter Yoga - an aerobic exercise with playful exercises combined with deep yogic breathing. Tuesday 21 July at 3.30pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Tue 21 Jul 2026
Time: 15:30
Location: online via Zoom
Everything you need to know to get published
Join Alysoun Owen, the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook editor, to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Yearbook. Thursday 23 July at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Thu 23 Jul 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
AI news: July
AI futures AI is transforming our world—discover how AGI and future superintelligence could change society over the next 20 years. Friday 24 July at 10am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Fri 24 Jul 2026
Time: 10:00
Location: online via Zoom
The History Man virtual walk, Scoundrel (Dick Turpin)
Join u3a York member, Richard Taylor, on one of his virtual walks based on historical times or events in the life of York. Friday 24 July at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Fri 24 Jul 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
Secrets of the human brain: vision
Bob Pullen explores the visual pathway from the point when an image enters the eyes to the point when we actually ‘see’ something. Monday 27 July at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Mon 27 Jul 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
The climate crisis and the National Emergency Briefing
Learn about the National Emergency Briefing on the climate crisis, held in 2025, and how you can help make a change with u3a Climate Matters. Thursday 30 July at 10am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Thu 30 Jul 2026
Time: 10:00
Location: online via Zoom
Staying Safe Online - A u3a Presentation with Q&A
Keeping you safe in an electronic age: A repeat talk by Barry Linton, Police Volunteer attached to the Cybercrime Protect and Prevent team. Friday 31 July at 10am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Fri 31 Jul 2026
Time: 10:00
Location: online via Zoom
Flight inspirations aviation meeting: August
Flt Lt Colin Bell, WWII Mosquito Pilot We are honoured to host Flt Lt Colin Bell, former RAF Pathfinder Mosquito pilot for the August meeting. Having flown 50 missions over Germany during WWII, Colin will share remarkable first-hand experiences of courage, precision and service with one of the RAF’s elite wartime units. Tuesday 4 August at 10am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Tue 04 Aug 2026
Time: 10:00
Location: online via Zoom
Building the world’s most advanced airliners
John Butler from the u3a Let's Talk Tech team explores the complex and surprising technical aspects of modern airliner construction. Wednesday 5 August at 1pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Wed 05 Aug 2026
Time: 13:00
Location: online via Zoom
Digital hobbies for the third age
Join AbilityNet, in partnership with BT Group, for a friendly session designed for older people to help you to use technology to explore your interests and hobbies as well as learn new things. Tuesday 11 August at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Tue 11 Aug 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
Laughter yoga with Judith: August
Laughter Yoga combines hearty laughter exercises with deep yoga-style breathing (pranayama). Hosted by Judith Anne Walker of Edinburgh u3a. Wednesday 12 August at 10am Free - online via Zoom
Date: Wed 12 Aug 2026
Time: 10:00
Location: online via Zoom
Deepfakes demystified: understanding the risks and staying safe
We will cover what deepfakes are, how they are made, and the growing threat as the tools have grown cheap and widely available. Friday 14 August at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Fri 14 Aug 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
Cryptic crosswords in context
Their history, how they work, who does them and why – a talk by u3a Cryptic Crosswords Subject Adviser Henry Howarth. Tuesday 18 August at 2pm Free - online via Zoom
Date: Tue 18 Aug 2026
Time: 14:00
Location: online via Zoom
*Our local u3a benefits from the effort, support and guidance of a national u3a umbrella organisation called the Third Age Trust. The initiative above is one of their many projects.