RESOURCES
This page list some helpful resources which U3A Members and Group Co-ordinators may find useful.
Please note that Welshpool & District U3A can take no responsibility for any software or websites suggested on this site.
EQUIPMENT
Equipment may be borrowed by U3A members only for U3A use or for you to use at another voluntary organisation of which you are a member or guest speaker. It should be operated only by, or under the supervision of, a U3A member (insurance is invalidated otherwise).1. Portable microphone and speaker
useful for meetings in larger rooms
to borrow, apply to James Cook
2. Electronic presentation kit comprising:
- Laptop computer (with DVD/CD drive)
- Projector
- Speakers
- Screen (large)
useful for presentations, photographs, DVD films, CDs, specialist software
to borrow, apply to David Geldart
LEARNING MATERIALS
The Third Age Trust (U3A National HQ) has a Resource Centre with plenty of books, DVDs and photographs you can borrow. The catalogue can be obtained in paper format or you can access it online.
For online access, click here for the Third Age Trust website (opens new tab or window). You will need to log in (it tells you how to get registered) to bring up a Members' Area list on the right. Click on the Resources Centre link and then 'Using the Catalogue' - it will tell you how to get a username etc. for this (a separate one is needed).
U3A also has online courses which you can do, see onlinecourses.u3a.org.uk.
The Open University has free material from its courses available for those of you keen (?mad) enough to indulge in some 'proper' learning. Take a look at the Open Learning website. There, click on 'Is Open Learning for you?' on the right to find out more. Please add 'U3A Member' to your list of interests in your profile if you do join up.
DOCUMENTS
The following documents can be downloaded here:
- Aims of the U3A
- Statement on U3A insurance cover, especially if you're going on trips or walks.
These documents are in Portable Data Format (PDF). To read PDF files you will need a reader. The most common one is Abobe Reader, but a lighter, less complicated program is Foxit PDF Reader which you can download from the link below
COMPUTING
There are loads of free computer software programs around and you can get them off the internet or via computer magazines. The following have been found to be safe, competent and as good as, if not better than, the programs offered by the big names:
- Foxit PDF Reader at Foxit Software
- Mozilla Firefox - a better web browser. Click the Firefox image on the left (takes you to Mozilla Europe).
- Opera is another very good browser; download it free at www.opera.com
- Mozilla Thunderbird - excellent e-mail program. Also click the Firefox image on the left.
If you want free office suite including a word processor, spreadsheet, drawing and presentation programs, you could do a lot worse than installing Open Office on your computer. Get it free at
Please note the OpenOffice.org file is large (approx. 130MB). David Geldart has a DVD with it on which you can borrow. Alternatively you can buy a CD from 8daysaweek.co.uk