u3a

Isle of Man

Groups

Joining a Group

To join a Group you must be a member of the Isle of Man u3a. You can find out how to join on our Membership page. There is no limit to the number of groups you join.

We are always looking for new ideas for groups - for example, sports, board or card games, singing, dancing, craft, wine tasting or cafe and chat groups.

Look at the list of groups below. You can click the buttons to change the order. Click a group name to discover more about the group and how to contact the leader(s) if you are interested.

Groups listed alphabetically

  • All About Herbs
    Status: Full
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons
    This can vary
  • Archaeological Sites (IOM)
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday mornings 10:00 am-12:15 pm
  • Art and Craft Group
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Monday mornings 10:00 am-12:30 pm
  • Book Club
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons 12:00 pm-1:30 pm
    Every 3rd Thursday of the month
  • Bridge Refreshers
    Status: Full
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm
    Usually the first Wednesday of the month
  • Classical Music Appreciation
    Status: Active
    Fortnightly on Thursday afternoons 2:00 pm
    Usually 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month
  • Current Affairs Group
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
    Fourth Wednesday of the month
  • Digital Photography
    Status: Dormant
    Location, dates and venues vary
  • French Conversation (1)
    Status: Full
    Fortnightly on Tuesday mornings 10:30 am-12:00 pm
    Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month
  • French Conversation (2)
    Status: Full
    Fortnightly on Tuesday mornings 10:30 am-12:00 pm
    Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month
  • French Improvers (3)
    Status: Full
    Weekly on Tuesday mornings 11:00 am-12:30 pm
  • German Conversation
    Status: Full
    Weekly on Thursday mornings 10:30 am-12:00 pm
  • History of Art
    Status: Full
    On Wednesday afternoons
    Meetings are arranged by the Group Leader
  • Italian Language Group
    Status: Waiting list
    Weekly on Wednesday mornings 10:30 am-11:30 am
  • Jazz Appreciation
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
    Usually, last Thursday of the month
  • Philosophy Group
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
    Second Wednesday of the month
  • Progressive Rock Music
    Status: Full
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
    Usually Wednesdays but flexible depending on group availability
  • Quiz
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Friday afternoons 2:30 pm-4:30 pm
    3rd Friday of the month - not during the summer
  • Racketball
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Wednesday mornings 9:30 am-10:30 am
    Venue: NSC, Douglas
  • Rummikub
    Status: Closed
    Weekly on Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm
  • Silver Dream Bikers ( IOM)
    Status: Active
    Location and dates vary
  • Spanish Conversation
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Tuesday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
  • Table Tennis
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Thursday mornings 10:00 am-11:00 am
    Subject to availability at the NSC
  • Ukulele
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Tuesday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
  • Walking Group
    Status: Active
    Location varies

How a New Group Begins

A potential Leader steps forward:
You have enthusiasm and some knowledge and believe others may be interested in joining.
Talk through your ideas with our Group Co-ordinator. When details of the group are decided, eg where and when to meet, ideas for what the group will study or do, minimum numbers, etc., then your group will appear in the New Groups Section below.

By Consensus:

Any member may make a suggestion for a new group but not necessarily be willing to lead it. Our Group Co-ordinator will check if there could be interest in starting this group and, if so, will advertise for a Group Leader(s). We can't begin a group without a Leader. Once we have a Leader(s) then the group will be advertised in the New Groups section below. Remember some groups may only need 2 or 3 members.

Group Leaders

Remember our groups are run by our members for our members!

A number of groups are run by more than one person, making it easier to "share the load". Members of a group decide what they want to do in group time, this could be research, visits and trips, working on their own or on group projects, etc. The Group Leader(s) will co-ordinate, assist and try to keep all the members involved.

We are so very grateful to all of our Group Leaders. Groups wouldn't exist without their willingness to step up.

If you feel you'd like to know more about what would be involved in leading a group then click Group Leader Information.

New Groups

Backgammon Group

Glynis Duff, one of our Art Group Leaders is considering setting up a Backgammon Group if there is sufficient interest. To know more or register an interest email Glynis

Singing for Fun!

Our Group Co-ordinator is trying to set up this group. It could be an individual group or maybe help in the singing element of our Ukulele Group. The type of songs and format would be agreed at the group's first meeting. Contact Tony, Group Co-ordinator if you think this sounds interesting.

Special Interest Groups Update

Proposed Language Groups

There are still places available for the groups below which would aim to start as shown:

Italian (for beginners and improvers)

Costa Coffee at Crosby Co-op

Friday 11-12.30pm weekly

Starting mid-January

Spanish (for beginners and improvers)

Costa Coffee at Crosby Co-op

Tuesday 2.30-4.30pm weekly

Starting February

Manx Language (for absolute beginners)

Greens Cafe at St. John's

Tuesday 2.30-3.30pm weekly for 4-6 weeks

Starting mid-January

To express an interest in any of these groups contact:

Tony Gurevitch

gurevitch@outlook.com

Ideas for New Groups

The Roundhouse in Braddan has facilities that may appeal to some of our members.
Warm spaces with card making is starting from Wednesday 16th October. until 9th April. They will run from 10am to 1pm at a cost of £3 to cover costs and supplies. There will be a tea and coffee station provided and supplies to make greetings cards. You get to take home what you make too.

Walk and Talk. (There is a free 500m track just outside the cafe). If any member would like to lead a u3a Group based maybe on the principle of "Ramble & Amble & Drink Coffee & Eat Cake" then it would be very quick and easy to get going.

Community Garden. This is a public allotment for anyone interested in growing their own  produce.

Boardgames including Backgammon.

For more information about the Roundhouse click here. If any of these ideas appeal then please contact our Group Co-ordinator

Online Learning & National u3a Workshop Events

Additional groups, workshops and events are offered online from the u3a.

Events - these are usually led by a u3a member and held on a certain date/time. Viewing is via ZOOM and you just need to register for tickets. You can attend as many as yoy wish and all are free to u3a members.

Online Groups. These cover a wide range of interests - Literature, Music, Languages, Writing, History,Art, Exercise, IT and just Chat groups. This does have an additional cost of £12 per year (£6 if you join from October). Once you've joined you can select your group or groups. Again you will need ZOOM to join. These groups encourage participation and give opportunities to socialise online with like minds.

Puzzles, Competitions, etc - check them out, even some quiz options if you need to set one!

Click to open the u3a Learning Page. If you need help to register or advice on Zoom contact Di the Webmaster

The University of the Third Age (IOM) is an IOM Registered Charity: Number 1121