Wanstead and Woodford University of the Third Age (U3a)
Analysis
Wanstead and Woodford University of the Third Age (U3a) is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in September 2013, 13 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science, amateur sport and recreation, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it provides human resources and provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending March 2026, Wanstead and Woodford University of the Third Age (U3a) reported income of £22k and spending of £23k, spending 104% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income grew from £6,624 to £22k (+228%), an average of +35% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 158%. Over the whole period it spent 106% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Wanstead and Woodford University of the Third Age (U3a) sits at the 51st percentile: it is larger than about 51% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 46th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Limelights - the Club for Young People (£22k), The Rachel Sharman Charitable Trust (£22k) and The Vauxhall Band (£22k).
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
Our U3A is a self-help educational movement for older people no longer in full-time work. We have a programme of monthly meetings with a speaker , planned a year in advance to give a range and balance of topics. We have 39 self sufficient Interest Groups where members pursue learning for enjoyment over a wide spectrum of themes. We publish a 3 page newsletter monthly to keep members informed
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Limelights - the Club for Young People | Dorset | £22k |
| The Rachel Sharman Charitable Trust | Ringwood | £22k |
| The Vauxhall Band | London | £22k |
| Tetney Playing Field and Village Hall | Grimsby | £22k |