A PUBLIC meeting to launch a 'University of the Third Age' group in Helensburgh will be held this week – and the organisers have released more details for those interested in finding out more about what the group's about.

The 'U3A', as it's known for short, is a self-help organisation aimed at people who have reached retirement age. Its members are able to meet new people and do new things, maybe something that that they have always wanted to do but just have not had the time.

Unlike academic universities, the U3A neither asks for nor gives formal qualifications; people participate entirely for the pleasure of doing what they do, whether that's learning a new language, singing with others, playing a musical instrument, walking, studying philosophy or doing one of dozens more social and learning activities.

And all the U3A activities take place through the day and at members' convenience.

Janet Holland, the chair of Bearsden and Milngavie U3A, said: "We have gone from nothing to over 500 members in three years. I am doing things today I never ever dreamed I would be doing once I retired."

Ed Link, a member of Perth U3A and the organisation's national executive council trustee for Scotland, said: “There are already 50 U3As in Scotland with hundreds more throughout the UK.

"There are over 10,000 members in Scotland.

"With nearly one million people over 65 in Scotland there is a huge need for organisations such as the U3A."

The Helensburgh U3A launch meeting takes place in the main hall at Helensburgh Parish Church on Tuesday, March 20 at 2pm. For more about the organisation see u3a.org.uk.