Paul Scott – Chair
Having worked in the field of education and Sports coaching gives me the understanding that an organisation must move forward all the time. If it does not move forward, it will stagnate and lose its effectiveness and spirit.
My view is that we must continuously develop, embrace new ideas and evolve with the times without losing what gives us our unique character and energy. We must always have an eye for the future learning all the time what will best suit our members.
Strong communication is the essence of a successful partnership between the committee, groups and the members. Our success is built on the partnership we develop between us all.
We must always strive to leave our u3a in a stronger position for those members following us. The committee must foster strong succession so that each committee builds on the work of the previous incumbents, and they understand what is necessary to move forward.
It is privilege and an honour to be Chair of Wakefield and District u3a. It is a taxing time-consuming but rewarding position. Not always plain sailing but there is much to keep your mind active. As well as being Chair I have made some good friends through my tenure which, I’m sure will endure when I step down.
Paul Scott
Mary Goodland – Vice Chair
I have lived in Wakefield for eight years.
I joined Wakefield u3a in March 2025 and now enjoy being a member of five different groups.
As an immigrant from The South I feel much more integrated into the local area and have made some great connections and friendships.
I joined the committee after an appeal for new members and I am trusting my business background and experience as a Magistrate will prove useful in this role.
I am looking forward to learning more about u3a and being part of a team that will support and encourage its members and progress into the future.
Michael Manders – Treasurer
In 2019 I was approached by a member of the u3a to see if I would be interested in becoming the treasurer as the current treasurer wanted to step down. I met with the Committee and agreed to take on the role.
I was approached as I was the treasurer of Wyco at the time and with my experience and knowledge of the Charities Commission rules and regulations I thought I could bring a lot of experience to the role.
During my seven years as treasurer, which I have enjoyed immensely, I have brought about a lot of changes and managed to help guide the committee through challenging times as well as through the better times which have been mainly during the last two years.
I find the role to be satisfying and would recommend any member to join the committee it is very satisfying that you know your are contributing to the smooth running of the charity enabling well over 500 members to enjoy their meetings.
I have spent many years in business, either my own or managing them. My last job was manager of the Ossett War Memorial Community Centre. Of which I was proud to have improved usage and fiscal security.
Jane Bradley - Secretary
I joined the committee in August 2024 after hearing that there was the real possibility that Wakefield U3A might not survive.
I spent 30 years as a manager in social care, and then teaching adults. I also have secretarial skills, and a lot of previous experience of producing minutes in various roles. The secretary role seemed to fit my skill set.
Part of my role is to respond to queries on the website, as well as responding to queries from members. I liaise with other members of the committee in order to respond to these. I have attended meetings and workshops within the wider U3A network, which has been useful for finding out more about other U3As and sharing new ideas.
I have very much enjoyed my time in the committee so far. I’ve always worked with people, and have enjoyed the company of others on the committee and the many members I have met along the way. All of us on the committee currently have a liaison role, which involves visiting groups and getting feedback from group Coordinators and members. I particularly enjoy this aspect of the work.
I would definitely recommend others to join our friendly group.
Mike Bywater – Committee Member and Web Manager
I joined the Committee in May 2024 following an appeal for new Committee members to avoid closure. Prior to that I was happy attending an Art Group and gave no thought to Committee matters at all!
On joining, I became Web Manager (which entailed learning how to manage a website from scratch!) and was pleased to be able to create our new (current) site. I have been involved in all sorts of subsequent tasks and projects and I have found the Committee to be composed of dedicated and forward-thinking individuals who are united in wanting to develop our u3a into a sustainable organisation that will prosper in the future when we are gone.
I have made friends both on the Committee and among the many Groups we interact with and I find the work immensely satisfying and rewarding.
Val Carter – Committee Member and New members Secretary
Via U3A I had had Bridge and Mah Jong lessons and so when I heard that the Committee was desperately short of members I thought I should do something to help. I first attended a meeting as an observer and thought it wasn’t too onerous to attend once a month for two hours. I was also pleased that there were items discussed to which I felt able to contribute. And so I offered to join. The points which are raised are interesting and it is good to be able to offer an opinion. Eventually I was asked to become the new members’ secretary and that has been very rewarding as various people are looking to join and all they need is a welcome and some guidance about how to join the organisation and groups. In turn they come up with some new, stimulating ideas. I have alsos erved on the Events committee and hearing what is available and at what cost has been very eye opening. Members’ feedback is also interesting both their praise and criticism.
“Run by the members for the members” is an excellent description of what we do and while we all enjoy the groups on offer there is a need for a committee and some organisation. It is not enough to leave it all to ‘other people’ and so I urge people to come along and offer their help working as part of a team.
Rob Fowell – Committee Member and Group Coordinator
I joined the committee after Hilary Fowler’s urgent appeal for committee members and was volunteered by my wife as she said I was a committee person.
With over forty groups I found it was an impossible task to all but undertake ‘firefighting’ when problems arose. The system has now been improved with each committee member providing a direct link to the executive committee for around five groups and I continue in the firefighting role.
Kathy Genn – Committee Member and Beacon Administrator
I joined the committee after an appeal sent out that the U3A urgently needed committee members.
I had a background in IT, having taught this in Further Education after retiring early from my previous career as an Analytical Chemist with Wakefield Council, and thought that this might be useful.
My roles on the Committee are solving problems with the Beacon database, and recently I have agreed to edit the monthly Newsletter, as Jenny Stephens, who has done a brilliant job, has decided for health reasons that she can no longer do this.
Barbara Morris – Committee Member
I joined Wakefield & District u3a in September 2017 and was "persuaded" to join the committee less than a year later. Not long after the secretary stood down and I offered to take on the role.
As you can imagine it was a baptism of fire but I was supported and helped by other committee members and soon started to enjoy being involved in the running of our u3a. I attended training events in Leeds organised by YAHR (Yorkshire & Humber Region) which were very informative and enjoyable. It was great to meet up with people from other u3a's to learn from their experience and exchange ideas,
When Covid hit the committee decided to keep as many as possible of our groups and activities going by utilising Zoom. It was very rewarding to keep people connected and help lessen their loneliness. I also gained some new IT skills! Post Covid we have gone from strength to strength and I am very proud to have been part of the team that has succeeded in increasing our membership numbers and the group activities on offer.
For the last couple of years I have held the post of Vice Chair and I also manage the social events planning team.I have made some new and very real friendships, maintained and added to my skills and gained satisfaction in seeing how our organisation has improved and developed. There is a great buzz when members tell you how much they have enjoyed an event.
So, would I recommend joining our committee? It's a YES from me......
Susan Sutcliffe – Committee Member and Social Events Team Leader
Helen Collingwood – Committee Member and u3a Outreach Secretary
I joined the U3A on my retirement from teaching in 2025. I have lived in Wakefield for over 40 years and spend much of my time exploring new routes to walk my Airedale Terrier. I am group coordinator for the Creative Writing group. Following an appeal for new members I have recently joined the committee. I find the U3A to be enjoyable and stimulating and my new role to be friendly and interesting. I can heartily recommend finding out more of what we do. Can you help too?
John Rouse – Committee Member
After working for over 50 years at lots of different locations I found myself retired and living in West Yorkshire, specifically Wakefield - where the sun always shines, not always in Wakefield of course.
I had heard about the u3a through my eldest brother who was a member in Cheshire. He got a great deal out of it so I thought I would join – this was in 2025. Now, already, I have joined the committee. I have a lot to learn but of course joining a happy and supportive team is making this easy. Even for a slow learner like me. I am also starting my own Group this September!
I would wholeheartedly recommend to join the u3a and to join the committee. As a committee member, even like me, you may feel a bit ‘challenged’ but everyone will find their space and ability to make a special contribution to Wakefield and District u3a.