u3a

Aughton and Ormskirk

Join Us

Membership – Joining and Renewing

The membership year runs from 1 October to 30 September. Annual Membership is £15 (£10 from 01/09/24)

Joining the u3a

We are a self-help, member-run organisation for the enhancement of knowledge and well-being, particularly in mature people and those retired from full time work. Members share their knowledge, skills and experience in a variety of ways through meetings, talks, social events and special interest groups – all in a friendly, relaxed environment.

In joining the u3a, you should be aware of the following:

You can join online, by post or in person.

Please contact the group leader before you attend any group for the first time. If you are joining our u3a just to attend one specific group, make sure there is space for you before you commit to membership. There are, however, many other groups you could try.

Our membership year starts on 1 October each year.

If you join in September, your membership will run until 30 September the following year but if you join before September, your membership will be due for renewal by 1 October of the current year.

Online

The best way to join us is by completing the application online using this link to Beacon, our membership system. You can pay with your debit/credit card or a PayPal account (if you have one).

Please note:

  • we do not have any access to your debit/credit card details and
  • you DO NOT need to open a PayPal account for your payment to be processed.

Post

Alternatively, you can download the New Member application form and post it to the address on the form with your cheque.

In Person

A further option is to join at the Horizons coffee meeting at Christ Church Scout and Guide HQ on Thursday mornings between 9.30 and 10.30.

Renewing your Membership

Online

The best way for existing members to renew their membership is online using the Beacon membership renewal system. You can pay with your debit/credit card or a PayPal account (if you have one).

Please note

  • we do not have any access to your debit/credit card details and
  • you DO NOT need to open a PayPal account for your payment to be processed.

To renew.....

Post

Alternatively, you can download the Membership renewal form and post it to the address on the form with your cheque. Your membership card will be emailed to you. If you would like a paper card and a receipt, please include a stamped addressed envelope.

In Person

A further option is to renew at the Horizons coffee meeting at Christ Church Scout and Guide HQ on Thursday mornings between 9.30 and 10.30.

Updating Membership Details in Beacon

When you join, your record will be set up on Beacon, our membership system. You can, thereafter, update your personal details yourself by logging on to Beacon. The first time you log on, you will be asked for certain information to verify that it’s you (membership number, forename, surname, email address, postcode). After that, you will be able to set up a password which you can use for all future updates and renewals.

Membership Contacts

In case of difficulty, help is available as follows:

  • for new members trying to join Aughton & Ormskirk u3a
  • for existing members renewing their membership
  • for existing members updating their Membership Record on Beacon.

To get help, use one of these contact methods:

  • use the “Membership Secretary” link on the Contacts page
  • visit the Membership Desk at any Horizons Meeting held at Christ Church Scout and Guide HQ on Thursday mornings between 9.30 and 10.30.

Benefits of Membership

  • You can join any of the 90 plus interest groups (subject to limits on numbers)
  • Receipt of monthly enews if you have provided an email address on your Beacon Membership Record
  • Receipt of a magazine published at intervals during the year
  • Access to the many resources of the National u3a

Terms and Conditions

All members must:

  • Abide by the Principles of the u3a movement.
  • Always act in the best interests of the u3a and never do anything to bring the u3a into disrepute.
  • Abide by the terms and conditions of the constitution.
  • Treat fellow members with respect and courtesy at all times.
  • Comply with and support the decisions of the elected committee.
  • Advise the membership team of any change in your personal details.

Privacy Statement

Aughton & Ormskirk u3a requires you to provide your personal information so that you can be kept informed about events and activities that are offered as part of your membership.

In collecting your information Aughton & Ormskirk u3a will:

  • Store it securely (in order to comply with the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation 2018)
  • Use it to communicate with you as a u3a member
  • Share it with group leaders / coordinators for those groups to which you belong
  • Send you general information about the Third Age Trust to which all u3as are affiliated.

Further details of our Privacy Policy can be found on this downloadable Privacy Policy document.