Many u3a groups meet together from time to time to exchange ideas and plan collaborations. These groups are called Networks or Clusters: there isn’t much difference!   Not all Networks are active, but the historical groupings that formed Networks in the West Midlands are listed below.  If they’re active, you can click on the link for more details.  Please let your Council Rep know if your Network has revived and we’ll add your details. It’s handy to have points of contact at least.

Here are the currently active Networks/Clusters, with links to the contact form for Network Reps:

Solihull has a Cluster, Chaired by William Foster

Shropshire has a Network, chaired by Glynis Nicholls

Cotswolds have Cotswold Link, chaired by Alan Russell

South Birmingham has a network, chaired by Val Stowell

A new Network is being established, to be known as '3 Shires u3a Network', to be administered by Steve Raybould

To encourage Networks to meet, your Region can provide funds for a Networking Lunch for local u3as to come together and find out if meeting regularly (typically twice a year) is useful for them.  It’s amazing what you find out when you get together – Group Leaders can be shared, u3as can join in to stage a u3a day event, and links between Treasurers, etc can form. Nationally, Network Link holds three online meetings a year and sends mailings. To stay up to date with everything Networks-related, Sign up for News for Network Mailings