U3A (University of the Third Age) was started in France as a vehicle for mature people to continue to use their brains in pursuit of new interests or goals. Retired and semi-retired people come together to continue their educational, social and creative interests in a friendly and informal environment.
An early champion of U3A in New Zealand was Sir Peter Snell, a World Champion New Zealand athlete, who recommended U3A as an excellent way of combating the aging process by continuing stimulation of the brain.
U3A is about involvement in learning new things, expanding horizons, sharing skills and experiences, making new friends, helping others to learn, accepting new challenges to show that age need be no barrier to learning or to helping others to learn, and to enjoy!