In 1982 Eric Midwinter, who has died aged 93, co-founded the University of the Third Age (now u3a), with the social entrepreneur Michael Young and the historian Peter Laslett. Self-funding, it brings together those who are no longer working full-time or raising a family (there is no lower age limit) to continue the enjoyment of learning in a wide range of topics, chosen by members. This has the consequent benefit of challenging negative stereotypes of older people.
Everyone works collaboratively to teach and learn from each other. The UK now has more than 1,000 u3a branches, each a self-governing charity affiliated to the Third Age Trust, with a total of 400,000 members. The model has been copied throughout the English-speaking world, as well as in eastern Europe and Australasia.
