CRITERIA

Bursary funding is to be used for Plymstock & District u3a group members to use material and to learn and develop skills not currently available to members of that group.

Bursary funding is a one-off payment to support activities that fall within the principles of the u3a Movement ( See Appendix A)

ELIGIBILITY

The scheme is open to any Plymstock & District u3a group. Application for funding should be made by the group leader.

TIMETABLE

The Plymstock & District u3a Committee will decide on a budget for the Bursary scheme in April for that financial year.

Successful applicants must complete their activity within 12 months of any award and feedback within 3 months of completion of the training / activity.

Due to the large number of groups within the P&D u3a, once a Bursary has been granted to a group, it is unlikely that they will be able to get another grant within 12 months.

PROCESS

Applications are to be made to the Plymstock & District u3a Secretary, by completing the Bursary Application Form as shown in Appendix B. It can be submitted by hand/post/email.

Applicants are to provide details of i) which group is applying, ii) what project the funding will be used for; iii) when funding will be required iv) how the bid will meets the above criteria.

The Bursary request cannot be more than 50% of the proposed project costs.

All applications will be considered by the Bursary Sub Committee (BSC), with its recommendation to be approved by the full Committee.

COMPOSITION OF BURSARY SUB-COMMITTEE (BSC)

Membership of 4 – Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Group Co-ordinator.

FEEDBACK

Successful applicants agree to give feedback on their experience by means of, for example, a demo, a talk, a mini workshop, a short written report or any other suitable way, to a member of the BSC

PAYMENTS

Payments will only be made against invoices and/or receipts.

The timescale for payments will be set out by the BSC as part of the award confirming process.

Payment made will not exceed the full Bursary request.

APPENDIX A

The Principles of the u3a Movement

The u3a movement is non-religious and non-political and has three main principles:

The Third Age Principle

Membership of a u3a is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a particular age but by a period in life in which full time employment has ceased.

Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a u3a.

Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a u3a can do so.

The Self-help Learning Principle

Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire; by the members, for the members.

No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards.

There is no distinction between the learners and the teachers; they are all u3a members.

The Mutual Aid Principle

Each u3a is a mutual aid organization, operationally independent but a member of The Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the u3a movement.

No payments are made to members for services rendered to any u3a.

Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible.

Outside financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the integrity of the u3a movement.