This page contains news items that we hope will be of interest to our members.
OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Stay connected with our lively u3a newsletter—packed with the latest group news, member articles, helpful info, important notices, and reports from past events. A must-read for every member!
Group Updates
We have recently updated the following group pages:
Chair's Report - August 2026
This month, I thought I’d focus on some admin matters.
As you know, we’re trialling two-monthly newsletters. There wasn’t one in July if you’re thinking, did I miss it. Group Leaders still provide monthly updates on group activities, but in the intervening months, they’ll go to Paul, our Webmaster, and be
published on our excellent and exceptionally informative website.
As chair, I’ll continue with a monthly update which, as well as going on the website, I’m planning to circulate to all members - Beacon willing! Newsletter months will be October, December, February, April and June.
There are two reasons why Group Leaders will be asking for membership cards at your meeting. Shirley, our Membership Secretary, has a stack of unclaimed cards. If yours is among them, please get in touch at membership@plymstocku3a.org.uk or you could collect from the General Meeting on the 21st August, when the speaker will be from the Devon Wildlife Trust talking about the land rather than the sea - beavers, pine martens perhaps? The second reason is for insurance purposes. All u3a members are covered by u3a insurance when attending meetings, and your membership card is proof.
Although there are 30 groups in the Members’ Handbook, covering a wide range of interests and activities, the Committee is interested in hearing ideas for new groups. However, every group needs a group leader and, ideally, a deputy. Over the last
couple of years some groups have folded - dwindling numbers or the group leader stepping down and no one stepping up are the most common reasons. If you have an idea, please share it but be willing to lead it.
Plymstock, with over 400 members, is a relatively large u3a for Devon and Cornwall, but we’ll happily grow. A person doesn’t have to be retired to become a member, rather ‘not be in full-time employment’. So the Committee is asking everyone to stay alert for prospective new members. £15 per annum for access to 30 groups, brilliant. Away Days, interesting and informative monthly General Meetings, and being part of a massive national organisation. Bargain!
Committee contact details are in the Handbook and on the Website. Committee members can be identified at the monthly meetings by the striking orange lanyard. Our amazing ‘meet and greet’ volunteers wear purple.
Enjoy the Newsletter and enjoy the summer. Take good care, Chris.
Fresh flowers for a job well done
At the Local History Group talk on Tuesday 21st July, a beautiful bouquet was presented to our newsletter editor Jan Langalaan to thank her for all her hard work producing the Annual Members’ Handbook and the monthly Newsletter. The guest speaker, Rosemary Griggs, in her persona as Lady Katherine Champernowne,, presented the bouquet to a very surprised Jan. As you can see from the photos, Rosemary was in her splendid Tudor costume!
Fraud/Cybercrime Alert from Devon & Cornwall Police
Criminals continue to impersonate trusted organisations such as HMRC, banks, Amazon, Sky, Royal Mail and parcel delivery companies to steal personal information, banking details and money. These scams commonly arrive by text message, email, phone call or social media and are designed to create urgency, fear or excitement to encourage quick action.
Common Current Scams:
HMRC fraud
Messages claiming you are due a tax refund and asking you to click a link to claim it.
Bank impersonation scams
Calls or texts claiming your account is at risk and instructing you to move your money to a "safe account".
Amazon account alerts
Emails warning of suspicious account activity and directing you to a fake login page.
Sky account offers
Calls or emails offering discounts, upgrades or refunds while requesting personal or financial information.
Parcel delivery and parking payment scams
Texts claiming a small fee is required to release a parcel or settle a parking charge via a fraudulent website.
Computer takeover scams
Fraudsters may call unexpectedly claiming there is a problem with your computer, internet connection, bank account or security software. They may pretend to be from Microsoft, your broadband provider, a bank or a technical support company. They will try to persuade you to install software, visit a website or grant remote access to your device. Once connected, they can steal personal information, online banking credentials and money. Remember: A genuine company will not cold call you and ask to take control of your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Protect Yourself: Remember ABC
A - Assume nothing
Never assume a message, call or email is genuine simply because it appears to come from a trusted organisation.
B – Believe nothing
Do not believe claims that create urgency, fear or excitement, such as refunds, account problems, special offers or security threats.
C – Check everything
Always verify requests independently by contacting the organisation using trusted contact details you've obtained yourself.
Stay Safe
✅ Do not click links in unexpected messages.
✅ Never share passwords, PINs or one-time passcodes.
✅ Never transfer money because someone claims your account is at risk.
✅ Never allow an unexpected caller to take remote control of your computer, tablet or smartphone.
✅ If someone asks you to install software or visit a website so they can "fix" a problem, end the call immediately.
✅ If you're unsure, stop and speak to someone you trust before taking action.
✅ If contacted by someone claiming to be from your bank, hang up and ideally via another phone line, call them back using the 159 service or a trusted number.
✅ Report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
✅ Report suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
If you are the victim of Fraud or Cybercrime
Report online here: UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud or call: 0300 123 2040.
Remember - Take a moment to stop and think. A genuine organisation will not pressure you into making important decisions, an immediate payment, or money transfer.
Think ABC: Assume nothing. Believe nothing. Check everything.
Who's Who
At our General Meetings, or indeed any other event or function, when you see a person wearing a bright orange lanyard you will know that person is a member of our loyal Committee. When you see a person wearing a purple lanyard it means that person is one of our hard working and faithful volunteers. Of course both groups of people are volunteers and always ready to help should you need anything. Don’t be afraid to ask - we’re happy to help.
Singing for Fun Group - Pianist Required
Amongst our 400 or so u3a members, is there someone who could help this jolly little group of singers? They are looking for someone to accompany them on the piano. If you can help, please contact the group leader, Shirley at shirham@sky.com. Thank you!
Digital Life Organisation and Legacy Support
Alice Boden recently approached our u3a with details of a service she provides to ensure online accounts, photos, passwords and subscriptions are organised, so that if anything happened, the family could find what they need. It’s one of those things almost everyone has been meaning to sort out but never quite gets to do. The service is called Sort My Digital Life, and we think our members might find it of interest.
You can find further details at: https://sortmydigitallife.co.uk/
Could you help shape the future of Third Age Trust Trading Ltd?
We are looking for u3a members with commercial experience to join the TATTL Board as voluntary Non-Executive Directors. TATTL's purpose is to generate an income that supports the charitable objectives of the Trust, by providing services to u3as and their members in a tax efficient manner. This includes the production of u3a matters magazine and digital service for u3as.
We are especially interested in members with experience in areas such as:
- publishing
- digital services
- member services
- marketing
- brand
- customer engagement
- business development.
We also need volunteers with digital skills and experience to join our Digital Services Advisory Group. This group supports the work of TATTL by assisting with strategic thinking and insight. If you have skills and experience in the following areas then please get in touch:
- digital product development
- online platforms
- digital solutions and Software as a Service (SaaS)
- customer relationship management systems
- user experience
- digital transformation.
Full details on both roles, with information on how to apply, are on the volunteering page on the u3a website.
OPAAl and Bereavement Planning
At OPAAL, we have seen growing demand from both our members and the wider public for information and support around planning for a dignified death and helping those who are left behind after a death.
While conversations about death and bereavement can be difficult, many older people tell us they want practical guidance to help them prepare, reduce stress for loved ones, and ensure their wishes are known. Others are concerned about what will happen if they have limited family or social support around them.
In response, OPAAL has developed a range of free resources and checklists designed to help older people navigate this challenging period. The resources provide practical, easy-to-follow guidance on topics such as planning ahead, recording important information, considering end-of-life wishes, and helping those left behind manage the practicalities after a death.
Importantly, the resources have been designed for people in different circumstances, including those who have a close network of family and friends, as well as those who may be more socially isolated or without immediate support.
The full range of resources can be accessed at:
www.opaal.org.uk/campaigns/
We recognise that planning for the end of life and coping with bereavement can feel overwhelming. Our message is simple: nobody should have to face these challenges alone. If older people need additional guidance or support, they can come to OPAAL and we will do our best to help.
Spare Knitting Yarn
Please could you donate any spare knitting yarn? This will be knitted up into blankets, teddy bears and so on for Ukraine. Thank you all for your support!
As usual there will be a box at General Meetings for your donations.
Organiser: Sue Stoker
Discarded Spectacles
If you have any discarded spectacles could you please bring them to the General Meetings? There will be a box available at the back of the room where they can be placed. Your gratefully received donated specs will be sent to Ukraine.
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF)
Postcard & Foreign Currency Donation Charity
Instead of recycling or discarding postcards which you receive, mostly during the holiday season, you may wish to donate them to the above charity - when you have finished enjoying them of course. This charity flies into remote areas of the world, such as Papua New Guinea and Sierra Leone delivering education, supplies, and health workers to the poorest communities. More details can be found on their website. https://www.maf-uk.org. It is a Christian charity which may not suit everyone, but the work they do is vital and life saving. In order to raise funds, picture postcards are collected - written on or not, old or new - and sold by the charity.
A MAF box for the collection of your post card donations will be available at our monthly General Meetings.
Alongside the post card collection box, in future there will be another box, in aid of the same charity, where u3a members can donate any odd foreign currency they may have left over from their trips abroad.
Foreign Coin Collection
Alongside the post card collection box at General Meetings there is now another box, in aid of the same charity (Mission Aviation Fellowship - MAF) where u3a members can donate any odd foreign currency they may have left over from their trips abroad. In addition to foreign coins redundant British coins may be donated. All gratefully received!
Hazel Scott will be taking care of this.
Used Stamps
Once again thank you for those of you who have been bringing in your used stamps. We are now donating stamps to the British Heart Foundation and we should appreciate your trimming the stamps as shown.
