u3a members can access a wide range of free online talks, workshops, and courses through their membership. Most sessions are led by fellow members, sharing their expertise, with additional talks from notable speakers and organisations.
All events are bookable via Eventbrite. Please ensure you can attend when booking and cancel if you’re unable to make it so others can participate. Events are exclusively for u3a members. Online events are hosted on Zoom and national u3a has some 'How to Guides' for using Zoom if you are unfamiliar with the platform.
You can see the full range of events here: https://www.u3a.org.uk/events/educational-events#Events. You can also subscribe to receive an email each month notifying you of what's coming up. There are regular monthly events such as Laughter Yoga with Maggie and Mindfulness and Meditation. Here is a selection of some of the others on offer in the coming weeks (click on the link to go to the booking page - note that this will open in a separate tab):
MAY 2026
Flight Inspirations Aviation Group: the Spruce Goose
Discover how Howard Hughes built the Hughes H-4 Hercules “Spruce Goose,” the giant wooden aircraft that flew once and proved his vision.
Tuesday, May 5 from 10 am to 12 pm
Kingsmeadow House: the inside story of a modest country house
Discover Kingsmeadow House: a hidden country home whose rich history reveals stories of empire, war, scandal, and social change.
Friday, May 1 from 2 pm to 3:30 pm
SAVE buildings at risk: empowering communities
Discover how communities can rescue at-risk historic buildings—join Amy Popham for tools, tips, and inspiring real-life success stories.
Thursday, May 7 from 2 pm to 4 pm
Enormous numbers and where to find them
The number of atoms in the Universe is estimated at 10^80 (that’s a one followed by 80 zeros). Join Dr Richard Elwes to find out more.
Friday, May 8 • Starts at 2 PM
Exploring World Faiths: May
Exploring how faith is portrayed in today’s media—and how those narratives shape understanding, voices, and public perception.
Monday, May 11 from 10 am to 11:30 am
The Call of the Wild: Stories from the Frontiers of Exploration
Join polar explorer and expedition leader Alex McNeil for an illustrated talk drawn from nearly two decades across Arctic & Antarctica.
Tuesday, May 12 • Starts at 2 PM
Suffering and hope in Tolstoy's Anna Karenina
The second in a series of talks illustrating how the creative arts can enhance our wellbeing.
Thursday, May 14 • 2 PM - 3:30 PM
The legacy of Edinburgh's Victorian swimming baths
Explore Edinburgh’s Victorian swimming baths and discover how they shaped public health, community life, and the city’s heritage.
Friday, May 15 • 2 PM - 3:30 PM
AI News May: How can AI help us to maintain our independence?
Explore how AI can help you stay independent as you age, with practical tools, future insights, and guidance from the u3a AI team.
Friday, May 22 • 2 PM - 3:30 PM
People's Collection Wales: exploring the public archive of Welsh history
Explore how People’s Collection Wales helps communities share and preserve Welsh history through a unique public digital archive.
Thursday, May 28 • 2 PM - 3:30 PM
Drones, huh? What are they good for?
Dr Steve Bullock gives his view of drones and their growing and evolving role in our skies.
Friday, May 29 • 2 PM - 3 PM
JUNE 2026
Flight Inspirations Aviation Group: June
From fragile early aircraft to powerful WWII bombers, explore how aerial warfare—and the bombs themselves—evolved in just three decades.
Tuesday, June 2 • 10 AM - 12 PM
FoodTech: the technology involved in food processing and food service
John Butler from the u3a Let's Talk Tech team explores the modern technologies taking our food from farm to table.
Wednesday, June 3 • 1 PM - 2:30 PM
Making the most of artificial intelligence (AI)
Join AbilityNet, in partnership with BT Group, for a friendly session designed to help older people build confidence online.
Tuesday, June 9 • 2 PM - 3:30 PM
Learn bridge online with u3a
Discover the joy of playing Bridge in this introduction to the game, and find out how to play online, with u3a Bridge Adviser, Steve Carter.
Wednesday, June 10 • 10 AM - 11:15 AM
An ABC of Victorian painting
Simon Evers explores three Victorian painters—from famous to forgotten—and a surprising discovery that transformed oil painting forever.
Thursday, June 11 • 2 PM - 4 PM
Lost and Found: Recent discoveries by Film is Fabulous!
Professor Justin Smith talks about the work of Film is Fabulous! An initiative to preserve vulnerable film treasures for future generations
Friday, June 12 • 10 AM - 11 AM
Of Mice and Men: how experience shapes the ageing brain
Professor Sarah King tours us through her research into how experience influences brain development and ways of keeping our brains healthy.
Tuesday, June 16 • 11 AM - 12:15 PM
A history of Britain's roads: why we should feel proud
Discover the surprising stories behind Britain’s roads, from radical legislation to quirky inventors, with Diana Laffin.
Friday, June 19 • 10 AM - 11 AM
One small triangle to a man, one giant leap for mankind
Explore the phenomenon known as Pascal’s Triangle and follow the number trail contained in it to look at Art, Music, Botany and brackets.
Friday, June 19 • 2 PM - 3 PM
Secrets of the Human Brain: A tour of the brain
Bob Pullen explores how the brain works, from nerve signals to thinking styles, with interactive insights into how we think and behave.
Monday, June 22 • 2 PM - 4 PM
Wessex versus the Vikings
A deeper dive into England’s history – with Charles Boundy
Thursday, June 25 • 2 PM - 3:30 PM
Islands of the Venetian Lagoon
This engaging talk with pictures will guide you around twelve islands that can each be reached by public transport (vaporetto, or water bus)
Friday, June 26 • 2 PM - 3 PM
The role of wind energy in the UK's electricity system
Join Chris Vogel to discuss the UK’s wind resource and the engineering involved as wind energy’s growing importance to UK’s electricity mix.
Tuesday, June 30 • 11 AM - 12:15 PM
JULY 2026: u3a FESTIVAL FRINGE IN YORK
The technology built into modern cars and trucks
John Butler from the u3a Let's Talk Tech team explores the technologies of modern vehicles, live from the u3a Festival in York.
Wednesday, July 1 • 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Mrs. Charles Dickens tells her story
A powerful reimagining of Catherine Dickens’ silenced voice, revealing love, betrayal, and truth behind Charles Dickens’ marriage.
Thursday, July 2 • 2 PM - 3:30 PM
Watercolours with Tony
Join Tony Burke, who runs watercolour classes with Huddersfield u3a, for this interactive painting sessions.
Monday, July 6 • 10 AM - 11:15 AM
The history of shoes
Robin Taylor takes us on a journey of shoes, from historical styles to modern trends, sharing insights from his career as a shoe designer.
Wednesday, July 8 • 2 PM - 3 PM
Fusion Tai Qi Gong
Discover calm, balance and wellbeing with Gordon’s gentle Fusion tai chi & qi gong taster session on Zoom.
Thursday, July 9 • 10 AM - 11 AM
Artemisia- Vengeance or Vision?
Join us for a presentation where we delve into the groundbreaking artistry of one of history's most amazing female painters.
Thursday, July 9 • 2 PM - 3 PM
The Role of Women in Ancient Egypt
Join Neil Stevenson, Subject Adviser for Egyptology, to explore the status of women in the Ancient Egypt.
Friday, July 10 • 2 PM - 3 PM
Last updated 13 May 2026