The Lichfield University Of The Third Age
Charity 1048904
https://u3asites.org.uk/lichfield
Overview
Summary
The Lichfield University Of The Third Age appears to be a locally rooted learning network for older and retired people, using education as a route to participation, personal development and continued civic connection. Its unusually broad activity range suggests that it is less a specialist provider than a framework through which members can pursue varied interests together. The available evidence indicates a potentially important role in supporting later-life social and intellectual participation, but reveals little about its scale, accessibility, partnerships or reach across Lichfield district.
Operational geography
Coverage: District
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence indicates that the charity's educational and leisure activity is centred on Lichfield and its surrounding district, outside Birmingham. Its current Lichfield u3a brochure identifies monthly open meetings at Lichfield Guildhall and describes more than 60 local interest groups.
- The Charity Commission record lists Birmingham City among the places where the charity operates, but it does not identify any Birmingham service, venue, group or delivery activity. This is insufficient to assign the charity to a Birmingham ward or recognised place.
- The registered contact address is in Sutton Coldfield, but it may be a trustee or correspondence address rather than an operational site; it has therefore not been treated as evidence of Birmingham service delivery.
- The official brochure says the organisation has links with other local u3as and reciprocal group access, but the available evidence does not identify a material partnership delivering Lichfield u3a activity in Birmingham.
Additional evidence needed
- A current official list of Lichfield u3a group meeting venues and locations, showing whether any regular groups meet within Birmingham.
- Confirmation from the charity of whether its Sutton Coldfield contact address is used for meetings, administration only, or another purpose.
- Current details of any reciprocal or joint arrangements with Birmingham-based u3as that involve Lichfield u3a delivering activities there.
Areas of work
- Amateur Sport
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Education/training
- Environment/conservation/heritage
Who they help
- Elderly/old People
How they help
- Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Learning appears to be the organising principle, not a single service
The organisation appears to use education as an umbrella for multiple forms of later-life participation, including cultural, sporting and environmental interests. This may indicate a model in which learning is embedded in shared activities rather than limited to formal classes.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish the organisation from a narrowly defined adult-education provider. Its value may lie in creating varied routes for retired people to remain active, curious and connected.
Show evidence
“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.”
Source:Charity Commission“Education/training, Arts/culture/heritage/science, Amateur Sport, Environment/conservation/heritage”
Source:Charity Commission
It may function as civic infrastructure for later life
Its role as an umbrella or resource body suggests it may enable participation through groups, shared resources or coordination, rather than primarily delivering support one-to-one. The focus on retired people may position it as a bridge between leaving full-time work and maintaining social and intellectual engagement.
Why it matters
This points to a possible contribution beyond leisure: helping sustain networks, confidence and collective activity during a life transition that can otherwise reduce everyday connections.
Show evidence
“Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body”
Source:Charity Commission“Educational and leisure activities for retired people in Lichfield and district.”
Source:Organisation
Breadth may be a strength, but also raises questions about inclusion
The wide range of subjects may allow people with different interests to find an entry point. However, the evidence does not show whether the offer reaches older people who are isolated, less mobile, digitally excluded or outside established social networks.
Why it matters
Understanding who participates, and who does not, is central to judging whether this broad model strengthens connection across the district or mainly serves those already able to engage.
Show evidence
“Elderly/old People”
Source:Charity Commission“Educational and leisure activities for retired people in Lichfield and district.”
Source:Organisation
- Whether activities are member-led, volunteer-led or professionally delivered.
- Which parts of Lichfield district are reached, and which older communities are absent.
- Whether the organisation works with care, health, cultural or environmental partners.
Remaining uncertainties
- A current programme, membership profile and participation data, including accessibility arrangements.
- Information on governance, volunteers, local partnerships and how new groups or activities are developed.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Educational and leisure activities for retired people in Lichfield and district.
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.