WELCOME TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT UNIVERSITY FOR FREE TIME

Nowadays we all know how vital it is to keep on learning at any age. It is as important for your health and wellbeing to exercise our brains as regularly as we do our bodies. Learning can be most effective when it's fun.

At IWUFT (Isle of Wight University for Free Time) is where you can pursue your learning or activities in a fun way, where you choose what interests you, where and when to learn it and with whom, and how often you want to be involved. There are no exams to take, no pressure and currently nearly 20 groups to choose from covering a wide variety of subjects and activities. For a full list please visit our Groups page. In addition we offer a variety of different creative and digital workshops in cooperation with partner organizations such as Island Creative and Age UK IOW. We have monthly talks open to all our members and a monthly newsletter.

Although our organization started in 1992 as IWU3A, in other words as the local Isle of Wight franchise of TAT (Third Age Trust), we separeted from them and went independent in 2019. We are now a totally island based, self-funded, non-profit charity. Our focus and aim are however still the same and have not changed despite the re-branding: supporting people who are retired, semi-retired and anyone with free time to keep their mind and body active, break isolation and loneliness and be part of an active social environment where you can be with old friends and meet new ones whilst engaged in physical and learning activities.

We are run entirely by volunteers; our very modest annual membership fee of £15 per person (£25 for couples) is simply to cover our admin costs. To join us download our membership form here or contact Alex Tana, our current Chairman, by phone (563144) or email (alextana1950@gmail.com).

Notice to all members and visitors

If you are interested in joining a group or workshop please contact the relative leader who will let you know what is their status, what is the current modality of meeting and where meetings are taking place and whether there is a meeting charge (to cover room hire costs). For further guidance feel free to contact our chairman Alex Tana (see above).

We are currently looking for volunteers to start new groups to support our growing and diverse membership. All training and support will be provided. If you are interested get in touch asap with our chairman Alex Tana (see above).

We are also looking for additional committee members to help us run and shape this organisation to the best advantage of all members. If you can spare some lttle time and help us please get in touch with our chairman.