u3a and me: Belonging, learning and getting involved Survey

u3a is built on people sharing their time, interests, and experience. We know that there is no single "right" way of being a member. In this survey we would love to hear more about your experience of being part of u3a— what you enjoy, what you get from it, what makes involvement easier or harder, and how u3a fits into your life right now.

Your honest views will help us understand how u3a can continue to be welcoming, meaningful, and sustainable for years to come.

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* 1. How long have you been a member of u3a?

Less than a year

1-2 years

3-5 years

6-10 years

More than 10 years

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* 2. How have you been involved in u3a? (tick all that apply)

Joined and participate in local u3a group activities

Group leader or facilitator/ event or project helper

Admin/ Committee member/ communication/ tech support for my local u3a

Trust Volunteer (e.g. subject advisor, trainer, information, Beacon, Siteworks etc)

Governance (Trust)/ Board member/ Council Representative

Other (please specify)

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* 3. On average, how much time do you give u3a in your week?

Less than 1 hour

1-3 hours

4-6 hours

7-10 hours

More than 10 hours

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* 4. Have you ever thought about joining the Committee at your local u3a?

Yes - I am currently considering taking on a committee role

Yes - I have considered it in the past but decided not to

Yes - I have been part of the Committee in the past

No - I have not considered it, but I might in the future

No - I am not interested in joining the Committee now or in the future

N/A - I am already part of my u3a's Committee

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* 5. We would love to hear your thoughts on the following statements. Please choose an option between Strongly Agree and Strongly Disagree

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
I feel valued and recognised for my contributions at my local u3a	I feel valued and recognised for my contributions at my local u3a Strongly Agree	I feel valued and recognised for my contributions at my local u3a Agree	I feel valued and recognised for my contributions at my local u3a Neither Agree Nor Disagree	I feel valued and recognised for my contributions at my local u3a Disagree	I feel valued and recognised for my contributions at my local u3a Strongly Disagree
I see my contribution at my local u3a as a mutual exchange (taking turns), not a duty	I see my contribution at my local u3a as a mutual exchange (taking turns), not a duty Strongly Agree	I see my contribution at my local u3a as a mutual exchange (taking turns), not a duty Agree	I see my contribution at my local u3a as a mutual exchange (taking turns), not a duty Neither Agree Nor Disagree	I see my contribution at my local u3a as a mutual exchange (taking turns), not a duty Disagree	I see my contribution at my local u3a as a mutual exchange (taking turns), not a duty Strongly Disagree
I sometimes feel that contributing carries too much responsibility	I sometimes feel that contributing carries too much responsibility Strongly Agree	I sometimes feel that contributing carries too much responsibility Agree	I sometimes feel that contributing carries too much responsibility Neither Agree Nor Disagree	I sometimes feel that contributing carries too much responsibility Disagree	I sometimes feel that contributing carries too much responsibility Strongly Disagree

Please elaborate if you'd like

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* 6. What stops you from getting involved in u3a? (tick all that apply)

Caring responsibilities (e.g. grandchildren, partner, elderly relatives)

Financial pressures or the need to work

Health issues

Travel or mobility challenges

Lack of confidence

Feeling I have "done my share" already

u3a roles require too much time or commitment

Not sure what opportunities are available

Feeling my contribution would not be valued

I have many other interests outside of u3a

Nothing, I am as involved as I'd like to be

Other (please specify)

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* 7. What might help you get more involved with u3a? (tick all that apply)

Shorter, more flexible commitments

Clear expectations

Opportunities to contribute as a team or pair

Greater recognition and appreciation

Being asked directly or personally invited

Opportunities that match my skills or interests

Seeing more people “like me” in u3a roles

Other (please specify)

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* 8. How has u3a made your life better? (tick all that apply)

Improved my confidence

Increased my happiness

Expanded my social connections

Helped me stay mentally and physically active

Helped me manage life changes like retirement, illness & bereavement

u3a has not improved my life

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* 9. Can you share a specific example of how u3a has positively impacted your life?

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* 10. Do you think u3a reduces the need for formal health or social care services?

Yes

Not sure

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* 11. We would love to hear your thoughts on the following statements. Please choose an option from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree.

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
u3a gives me opportunities to keep learning and stay curious	u3a gives me opportunities to keep learning and stay curious Strongly Agree	u3a gives me opportunities to keep learning and stay curious Agree	u3a gives me opportunities to keep learning and stay curious Neither Agree Nor Disagree	u3a gives me opportunities to keep learning and stay curious Disagree	u3a gives me opportunities to keep learning and stay curious Strongly Disagree
I feel like my involvement with u3a is meaningful and rewarding	I feel like my involvement with u3a is meaningful and rewarding Strongly Agree	I feel like my involvement with u3a is meaningful and rewarding Agree	I feel like my involvement with u3a is meaningful and rewarding Neither Agree Nor Disagree	I feel like my involvement with u3a is meaningful and rewarding Disagree	I feel like my involvement with u3a is meaningful and rewarding Strongly Disagree
I feel like I belong in my u3a	I feel like I belong in my u3a Strongly Agree	I feel like I belong in my u3a Agree	I feel like I belong in my u3a Neither Agree Nor Disagree	I feel like I belong in my u3a Disagree	I feel like I belong in my u3a Strongly Disagree

Please elaborate if you'd like

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* 12. How has your sense of wellbeing improved since joining u3a?

Significantly improved

Somewhat improved

My sense of wellbeing has not improved since joining u3a

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* 13. Has being part of u3a reduced your feelings of loneliness or isolation?

Yes

It has made no difference to my feelings of loneliness or isolation

Not applicable

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* 14. Do you feel u3a has helped you feel healthier and more independent for longer?

Yes

Not sure

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* 15. On a scale of 1-10, how important is your local u3a in your life?

1 - Not important at all

5 - Somewhat important

10 - Extremely important

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 16. Is there anything else you'd like to say about your experience with u3a?

Your background and experiences are likely to impact your responses to this survey and we want to understand how. Your responses are anonymous.

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* 17. What is your age group?

Under 50

50-59

60-69

70-79

80+

Prefer not to say

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* 18. What is your gender?

Male

Female

Prefer not to say

Other (please specify)

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* 19. In which region or nation is your u3a located?

East Midlands

East of England

London

North East

North West

Northern Ireland

Scotland

South East

South West

Wales

West Midlands

Yorkshire & the Humber

Interest Groups Online

Prefer not to say

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* 20. How big is your u3a?

Up to 200 members

201-500 members

501-1000 members

1000+ members

Not sure

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* 21. Would you be happy to be contacted about joining a future online focus group on this topic?

Yes

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* 22. Would you be happy for us to contact you to follow up on any of your responses?

Yes

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* 23. Would you like to enter the prize draw for a £100 John Lewis voucher?

Yes

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* 24. Please leave your details below if you answered 'Yes' to any of the three questions above

Name

Email address

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please email impact@u3a.org.uk

Terms and Conditions

The prize draw is open to members who complete the survey and explicitly consent to being entered.
Only one entry per member is permitted.
The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
The prize draw runs from 19 February to 31 March 2026.
The winner will be notified by email by 30 April 2026. Members who have consented to the draw but not provided their contact details will not be included.
Entrants’ details will be used solely for the prize draw and for any other purposes they have explicitly consented to in the survey.
By entering the prize draw, participants accept these terms and conditions.