u3a stands for the University of the Third Age, which is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full time employment providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. The u3a approach to learning is – learning for pleasure. There is no accreditation or validation and there are no assessments or qualifications to be gained.

Church Stretton u3a was started in May 2010 on the initiative of Barbara Thurston. We have 267 members as of December 2025 (see Membership).

We also have

• over 20 active interest groups (see Groups),
• a regular social meetings programme (see Events) and
• a printed newsletter. (See News).