WHEN your working life is over, it can herald the start of new learning opportunities or a chance to develop existing skills.

And the University of the Third Age enables older people to do just that.

“Just because your working life comes to an end doesn’t mean you have nothing more to offer. And when we get older it’s important to keep using our brains and to keep physically active,” says Angela Curtis, who is a member of the Bradford branch of the University of the Third Age (U3A).

The organisation offers learning opportunities for retired and semi-retired people aged over 50 - the name comes from its work helping people in the third stage of their life. While first-age learning is at school, college and university, and second-age learning comes through skills learned at work, third-age learning is when older people choose a study they find interesting.

“We have a growing ageing population and people can live a long time after retirement,” says Angela. “When you retire there’s a tendency to think, ‘Now I can spend more time with the grandchildren, play golf and do more gardening’ which is fine, but for many people it’s not enough. When you still have an active outlook on life you may wish to keep learning, and you have something to contribute.

“We live in a society that often finds it difficult to accept you still have a brain over the age of 50, which can leave older people feeling worthless. But the reality is that by the time you reach retirement you have vast quantities of expertise, skills and life experience.”

“The Bradford branch meets monthly at the Bradford Club. Other activities including rambling, days out, Scrabble challenges, social dinners and raquetball groups, with members often compete in raquetball tournaments against other U3A groups from across the country. Classes are held in subjects such as photography, painting, woodwork, table tennis, local history, crafts, creative writing and Tai Chi.

Local branches are affiliated to the national U3A, which has been going for more than 30 years. There are more than 700 branches across the UK and more than a quarter of a million members. “Anyone wanting to start a group can do so, “ says Angela. “Classes generate themselves.”

There is no curriculum, no exams or certificates. And there are no formal rules - each U3A group decides its own meeting times and places.

To mark Older People’s Week, later this month, the Bradford branch is highlighting the U3A and its opportunities.

“There may be people who are retired and bored, or approaching retirement and worried how they’ll fill their time,” says Angela. “U3A can make a difference. Don’t let the university tag put you off - U3A’s motto is ‘learn, laugh and live’. “Its belief is that you’re never too old to learn; U3A members learn from each other in small friendly groups.”

The Bradford branch holds most of its activities at the Bradford Club in Piece Hall Yard - from a coffee morning with speaker to smaller groups looking at such subjects as snooker, Sudoku or archaeology.

As member Beryl Smith says: "I don't know how I managed to find time for a job. U3A keeps me busy, and has widened my circle of friends. It's great."

* The next meeting is at Bradford Club on Wednesday, September 28, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Visit u3asites.org.uk/bradford, call Angela Curtis on (01274) 394676 or email angela77dt@gmail.com