Shared Learning

University of Sheffield Sustainability Symposium 2024

The University of Sheffield brought together a wide range of researchers, leaders, and activists to discuss the key multidisciplinary sustainability issues, including air quality, decarbonising homes and the future of aviation.
Read a  summary here or watch a full recording of the event here.

The University of Sheffield

The University has a free interactive research streaming platform that enables anyone to discover and explore research being undertaken by the University. The site covers research on Arts & Culture; Environment & Sustainability; People & Places; Science & Technology. To access this service: Home | The University of Sheffield Player

52 ways to reduce your plastic

Not sure where to begin? Check out this handy guide, packed with great tips and hacks to help you get started.

U3a Festival 24

U3a Online Learning Events

U3a have a number of fascinating online events which can be accessed here.

U3a Radio Podcasts

The u3a radio podcast, showcases the amazing things happening across the movement. It’s created by a team of u3a members who all have radio experience and features interviews with members, interest group leaders, Trustees, national volunteers and Subject Advisers.

The entire series is available to listen to on our YouTube channel, and on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts .

The team are always looking for more stories  and if you’d like to contribute click here.

Projects	Project Organiser
Skin Research – on going Sheffield Dermatology Research sheffielddermatologyresearch.com/ are investigating how the microstructure of the skin differs in a diverse group of people with and without eczema. To do so they are looking for adults with no history of chronic skin conditions with the exception of acne. To find out more about this study and what is involved click on the Participant Information Sheet which has all the relevant information about this research and the relevant contact details. The RSL link for this project is Martin Harvey
Research into the Impact of Work Related Transition – on going This research is looking for members who, in the last 5 years, have experienced a work-related change such as retirement, career or role change, or moving from full to part time hours and have experienced a negative impact on their wellbeing. For more information read the Participation Information Sheet. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Rebecca at rebecca.woodhouse@york.ac.uk or phone/text on 07385 341560. The RSL link for this project is Gordon Dabinett
Prostrate Cancer Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Group – on going Have you or a family member been affected by Prostate Cancer? If so Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals are asking you to help them with their research by joining a PPIE. Membership would involve: ·       Discussion of current and proposed research ·       Help develop materials for research programmes ·       Ensure research is designed and the results shared in such a way that is best for patients and the public ·       Attend 3-4 meetings a year.   For further information contact Alison Scope sth.stamina@nhs.net 0114 253586  The RSL link for this project is Gordon Dabinett
Clinical Research & Innovation Office and Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre – On Going A partnership between Sheffield Teaching Hospitals & the University of Sheffield has created the Clinical Research & Innovation Office who have many PPIE Groups which members can join. For more information go to www.sheffieldclinicalresearch.org/for-patients-public/how-to-get-involved/ The NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and hosted by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with The University of Sheffield. They are dedicated to improving the treatment and care of people with long-term health conditions To find out about the PPIE Groups aligned with Sheffield BRC click here.   The RSL link for this project is Martin Harvey
South Yorkshire wants your views on the future of our local nature – on going Local authorities across South Yorkshire are seeking views on the development of its Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) by asking residents to take part in an online survey.  To find out more go to https://sheffnews.com/news/south-yorkshire-wants-your-views-on-the-future-of-our-local-nature/.  The LNRS is being led by South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, who will develop actions to drive nature’s recovery across South Yorkshire. To participate in this survey go to  https://search.app/JLAnv8ThJNKEz9zt7 The RSL link for this project is Martin Harvey
U3A Memory Project – on going  This national u3a project is aiming to create a collection of photos from World War 2. These could be relatives or close personal connections or an actual grave. For more details about this project and to submit your photographs click on  https://www.u3a.org.uk/learning/learning-activities/help-us-remember  The RSL link for this project is Martin Harvey
Add your pictures to Historic England’s Register of Parks and Gardens- on going It’s 40 years since the first 27 parks and gardens were added to England’s Register of Parks and Gardens. To help celebrate, Historic England invites you to participate in their Missing Pieces Project and share your images and stories of a park near you. Sheffield has eleven landscapes on the register. Some already have a few contributions from the public, but several have none or only limited images from the Historic England archive. Fill in the gaps by logging in and submitting your own pictures and comments, historic or up-to-date. The RSL link for this project is Martin Harvey
Their Finest Hour – until December 2024 Their Finest Hour is a free an online digital archive based at the University of Oxford, containing everyday stories and objects from the Second World War. To access the archive  https://theirfinesthour.english.ox.ac.uk/ . Alun Edwards, the lead u3a volunteer for the project, has produced a comprehensive report highlighting the way u3a members have benefited from taking part. You can download his report here: https://bit.ly/TFHu3aEdwardsAlun .You can still submit entires to the archive here: https://oxford.omeka.net/s/theirfinesthour-archive/page/post-project-submissions. Please read the guidance for completing the Submission form :https://oxford.omeka.net/s/theirfinesthour-archive/page/Help.   The RSL link for this project is Martin Harvey
Sheffield University, Healthy Lifespan Institute (HELSI) – ongoing HELSI www.sheffield.ac.uk/healthy-lifespan aims to transform the experience of aging by developing interventions to slow down the rate of ageing to increase resilience to age related diseases. u3a Sheffield are delighted to have formed a partnership with HELSI which will enable their researchers to incorporate the experiences and expertise of u3a members. For more information about this exciting partnership click here. The RSL link for this project is Gordon Dabinett
HELSI Research Prize 2024 This year’s prize has been awarded to the architectural student Emily Haycock, for her research, Alternative Modes of Living for an Ageing Population in the Rise of Multigenerational Living. Emily will present her finding at a future Friday lecture. To find out more about her research click here. Last year’s winners, Ameli Vidanearachchi and Haoyang Liu, presented their u3a dissertation prize research findings at a recent showroom lecture.  Ameli, from the School of Architecture received a prize for her dissertation titled “nurturing roots through intergenerational living” which detailed plans for social housing initiative for older adults in Neepsend, Sheffield. Haoyang, a PhD student, presented a talk about using remote monitoring technologies in mental health assessment.
Healthy Lifespan Institute Seminars Students in the final year of their PhD are keen to put into practice what they have learned by giving free online seminars of our members’ research into ageing and health across the lifespan that are engaging and accessible across disciplines and knowledge levels .  To register for any of the following  click on this form:  Wednesday 11th Dec 12:00 – 12:30 – Kieran Bowden Targeting neutrophil cell death as a potential treatment for multimorbidity See here for more details of the seminars.  The RSL Link for this project is Gordon Dabinett

Recently Completed Projects

Family Photos and Family Histories

This 2022-2023 national u3a project explored the way families document their lives and experiences through photography.  u3a members were introduced to the interrogation of key photographs and modelled how this process could be repeated in their own u3a groups. u3a members were trained to share insights into the practical digital management and dating of photographs via fashion details. The following book was written as a result of the project and will be free to access from February 2025 onwards: Inheriting the Family: Objects, Identities and Emotions: New Directions in Social and Cultural History Katie Barclay Bloomsbury Academic

A study to transform an NHS wearable into a rehabilitation device

Alexander Jakubiec, a research associate at the University of Sheffield, asked members to assist him to assess the fall risk using a smart insole. The study involved a short questionnaire, followed by seven normal day-to-day activities. For detailed information about this project please click on the attached participation information sheet.

Results of the Big Plastic Count

A quarter of million people participated in this survey which showed that UK households are throwing away 1.7 billion pieces of plastic every week! 
Watch this video results video to find out more about this shocking survey.
To see the results website.

Laughing Through Retirement

Adam Carter, a researcher at Sheffield University, sought 4 families with a family member who was within 6 months of retiring, or who has retired in the last 2 years who could contribute to a project exploring the role of humour in stressful family situations.

Multi-tasking and Speech

The aim of this research was to provide a basis for future research to find new assessment and treatment methods for adults with a speech disorder caused by neurological problems. The project sought participation from members who were 55 – 75, in generally good health, who did not have a speech impairment, so that they can be compared with people who did. The researcher from Sheffield University is now in the process of writing up his report.

Planet Wellbeing

Sheffield Hallam University asked members who live independently and experience feelings of loneliness, who also have home internet access, to help investigate how virtual reality can be used to improve mental health and reduce loneliness. Participants were asked to use digital technology to carry out basic movements to perform fun and engaging activities with other people, in virtual reality. 

Nutrition and Healthy Ageing

It is estimated that by 2050, 22% of the global population will be aged 60 or over. Dr Meesha Warmington, from the University of Sheffield School of Education, asked members aged 60+ to assist in research to understand how nutrition impacts on health and wellbeing. Her report will be published later in the year.

Help design digital information services

Sheffield Hallam University Associate Lecturer Meekha Tuladhar carried out research with the aim to improve the design of digital information and internet services for those aged 65 and above. Her aim is to make sure that services such as, internet shopping, booking sites and online banking etc are easier to use. The first phase of her research has now been completed. The next stage will be observation of respondents using computers. 

Older People Working Part Time

Our research with Sheffield University, looking at how managers and union representatives, within the health, retail, banking and finance sectors, have managed or represented older people who work part time has recently ended. The researcher Rachel Crossdale is currently in the process of writing up her research on how workplace policy procedures affect this category of workers.

Completed Projects