The University of the Third Age, U3A, is a voluntary help  organisation for people no longer in full time employment. It provides educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. Local U3As  are charities in their own right and are run entirely by volunteers. They  are learning cooperatives which draw upon the knowledge of their own members to provide interest groups in accordance with the wishes and abilities of their membership.  U3As offer the chance to study a wide range subjects in such fields as art, languages, music, history, life sciences, philosophy, computing, crafts, photography and to participate in leisure activities like walking.