Acquiring and developing skills
Your committee is determined to develop and create more interest groups as they are a great way to create social and learning opportunities. Our Interest Group Coordinator will work with members who have a passion or interest in a topic and who are keen to pass that knowledge on to others.
Groups are established to meet members' needs with the approval of the committee, so if you have expertise in any area, or if you want to develop that expertise, one of the best ways to accomplish this is by joining with other people in learning and teaching, and perhaps in doing something practical together. Groups are financially self-sustaining and meet at times and venues suitable to their members.
If you wish to participate in any of our Interest Groups, you must be a member of U3A Christchurch North West.
We offer:
Book Sharing
“I enjoy sharing and hearing thoughts on a variety of genres each month”
This group will interest those who love reading and sharing what they’ve read, whether it's a much loved or a much disliked book. It differs from our other book club in that you do not all read the same book at the same time.
Meets: 2nd Friday at 10.30 am. Convenor: Adrienne Ph 351 5573
Book Club
“It’s interesting to hear everyone’s viewpoints on plots, characters and writing styles, quite often very different to mine”
This group is run as part of the national BDS (Book Discussion Scheme) organisation, so there is an annual subscription. The group can take up to 10 people. Everyone reads the same book over a month and then meets to discuss it in an enjoyable, social gathering.
Meets: 3rd Thursday, 1.30 pm. Convenor: Elizabeth, Ph 021 0643 51
Craft
“It’s a great way to share our creative experiences whilst learning new skills”
Cycling
“Explore the new and old cycleways of Christchurch with a social group of all capabilities and bikes.”
This is a very social group who enjoy getting together to discover the new cycleways of Christchurch. Rides are circular, about 20/30 km long, on the flat, with a coffee shop stop always included in the route.
Meets: Every Friday morning, 9.30 am summer, 10 am winter.
Convenors: John Ph 021 337 014, Rosmund Ph 021 0818 3423
**Please Note: This group is full, but there is a waiting list being started. **
Epicureans
“This is a great way to taste and try diverse types of food, often very different from our usual NZ fare”
This friendly group meets at an arranged venue for lunch, or sometimes for dinner. A wide variety of restaurants are visited, so there is plenty of opportunity to discover many different cuisines.
Meets: 4th Monday @ noon
Convenors: Colin Ph 021 322 018, Pam Ph 021 293 5571
Film
“Here's an opportunity to see a variety of different movies, perhaps something you've not tried before.”
Selected movie details and times are emailed out a week in advance and, usually, we meet an hour or so before the film at a nearby cafe,
Meets: Morning, 4th Tuesday (usually). Convenor: Jo,
History
“I love that within the group there is so much knowledge which everyone is happy to share”
Members of the group, as well as invited outside speakers, intend to cover a diverse range of topics in 2024.
Meets : Papanui RSA, cnr Main North & Harewood Roads on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday between 10 & 12 pm. Convenors: Neville Ph 021 385 893, Paul Ph 021 2111 505
Little Garden
“I love finding different ideas for turning a small space into a green and inviting oasis"
The Little Garden Group is for those members who love gardening, whether they have a courtyard, a small or large garden.
We enjoy seeing how others are using their spaces as a work in progress. We also have opportunities to visit other gardens in the city and beyond.
Meetings are held at one another’s homes, sharing our common interest, swapping ideas, plants etc.
Meets: 1st Monday, at 1.30 pm.
Convenor: Annabelle
Email: annabellesr3@gmail.com
Mahjong
“If you can play Happy Families then you can play Mahjong. It’s great for keeping the mind active.”
Convenor: Shona Ph 021 0222 3075
Walking
“Presenting a varied programme of walking on the trails of Canterbury.”
Get to know the different off road trails around our local parks, hills, rivers, forests and beaches. Walks will be approximately 1/1.5 hours long, usually finishing with coffee.
Convenor: Gillian 021 1194 617.
Wine Appreciation
“Expanding your palate and knowledge in the world of wine.”
This group meets in the homes of its members, who each bring a bottle of wine on a common (previously agreed) theme. The wine is tasted, and information about the wine is explored. The rest of the bottle goes home!
Convenors: Penny Ph 027 583 3024, Ann Ph 021 120 1528