Arden (Solihull) University Of The Third Age
Charity 1142408
Overview
Summary
Arden (Solihull) University of the Third Age appears to be a member-centred later-life learning community rather than a conventional education provider. Its model combines a regular shared weekly gathering with smaller, interest-led groups that support both intellectual engagement and social participation. The organisation’s role may therefore extend beyond education alone: it creates recurring opportunities for older people, including those retired from full-time work, to maintain curiosity, routine and peer connection through accessible, locally organised activities.
Operational geography
Coverage: District
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- No current, location-specific evidence was found showing that Arden (Solihull) u3a delivers a meeting, activity group or other service within any supplied Birmingham ward or within the City Centre.
- The Charity Commission record reports Birmingham City and Warwickshire among the places where the charity operates, but gives no Birmingham venues, service locations or frequency of activity there.
- The charity’s seven monthly activity groups include rambling and outings, which may take place beyond Solihull, but their current routes and destinations are not published in the available evidence.
- The available evidence does not verify the organisation’s current programme or individual group venues directly.
Additional evidence needed
- A current Arden (Solihull) u3a programme or calendar listing the venues and locations of Monday meetings and all activity groups.
- Confirmation from Arden (Solihull) u3a of whether any regular services, meetings, walks or visits currently take place in Birmingham, including the relevant ward or recognised place.
- Current venue information from the organisation or its venue partners for its activity groups, particularly Go and Do and Rambling.
Areas of work
- Education/training
- Recreation
Who they help
- Elderly/old People
How they help
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Learning is organised as a social routine
The weekly meeting and monthly activity groups suggest that the organisation uses regular participation, not one-off courses, as its main way of advancing education and personal development.
Why it matters
This indicates that its value may lie partly in sustained belonging and routine for older people, alongside the subjects covered.
Show evidence
“Arden (Solihull) u3a meets every Monday with a visiting/member speaker.”
Source:Organisation“There are 7 Activity Groups meeting monthly.”
Source:Organisation“The charity advances education of older people and those retired from full time work through learning and personal development activities.”
Source:Charity Commission
Its educational offer is peer-oriented and broad rather than vocational
The inclusion of member speakers and groups ranging from current affairs and science to rambling and play reading may indicate a learning model shaped by members’ interests, combining discussion, cultural activity and shared experience.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish the organisation from formal training services: it appears designed to sustain active, self-directed later life rather than deliver qualifications or employment outcomes.
Show evidence
“Arden (Solihull) u3a meets every Monday with a visiting/member speaker.”
Source:Organisation“Activity Groups cover Current Affairs, Geography & History, Go and Do, Play Reading, Rambling, Reading for Pleasure and Science Today.”
Source:Organisation“What the charity does includes education/training and recreation.”
Source:Charity Commission
Recreation appears to be integrated with learning
Rambling, reading and 'Go and Do' sit alongside academic-style subjects, suggesting that the organisation may treat personal development as involving social, cultural and physical participation rather than classroom learning alone.
Why it matters
This points to a potentially complementary role within local support for older residents: it may connect education, recreation and participation in one setting.
Show evidence
“Activity Groups include Go and Do, Play Reading, Rambling and Reading for Pleasure.”
Source:Organisation“How the charity helps is provides services.”
Source:Charity Commission“What the charity does includes education/training and recreation.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Whether participation is open to all older local residents or primarily to subscribing members.
- Whether activity groups are led by volunteers, members, paid tutors or external partners.
- Which communities of older people are participating, and which may be absent or unable to access the offer.
Remaining uncertainties
- Membership, attendance, fees and demographic information, including barriers to participation.
- Information on group leadership, venues, accessibility and partnerships with other local organisations.
- Participant feedback or outcome evidence about learning, wellbeing, social connection and inclusion.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Arden (Solihull) u3a meets every Monday with a visiting/member speaker. Currently, there are 7 Activity Groups meeting monthly, covering a wide range of interests: Current Affairs, Geography & History, Go and Do, Play Reading, Rambling, Reading for Pleasure, Science Today.
Charity objects
THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE EDUCATION OF OLDER PEOPLE AND THOSE WHO ARE RETIRED FROM FULL TIME WORK, BY ALL MEANS INCLUDING ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.