Information for Sandbach & District u3a members about a charity aimed at older people – Independent Age. They are online with accessibility tools, hard copy option, plus a help line.
They have been known as Independent Age since 2005 but have a history stretching well beyond that to 1863, when the United Kingdom Beneficent Association (UKBA) was established. UKBA was incorporated under the Royal Charter to become RUKBA, and later merged with two other charities, Counsel and Care and the Universal Beneficent Society.
They have award-winning information guides that cover a range of subjects, such as money, health, care and housing.
Trips
Middlewich u3a are running a trip to Southport Flower show this year and are offering Sandbach u3a members the opportunity to join them.
Southport Flower Show – Thursday 20th August. Leaving Middlewich at 9:00 and returning approx.16:30 from Southport.
The cost is £40pp including entry ticket.
If anyone is interested, please contact Chris Yarwood yarwoodchris@hotmail.com or Graham Williamson at gwilliamson10@aol.com
The Padel Den
Fancy trying padel? The Padel Den at Elworth Cricket Club is offering Sandbach & District u3a members a further set of special £5 taster sessions.
For address, directions and further details please see here: The Padel Den -Elworth Cricket Club
The Padel Den – based at Elworth Cricket Club – is the first padel facility in town, offering a welcoming community atmosphere. Located in the heart of Sandbach, the club provides two outdoor courts for enthusiasts of this rapidly growing sport. Players can borrow rackets and balls at no cost, with equipment conveniently stored in a black box between the courts. Visitors can book their slots up to 14 days in advance, ensuring a flexible and enjoyable playing experience. The Padel Den is committed to fostering a vibrant padel community, making it an ideal spot for both beginners and seasoned players.
The sport was first developed in Mexico before taking off in Spain. A padel court is considerably shorter than a tennis court. And unlike tennis, players use solid racquets and favour strategic shot placement over power. It is predominantly a doubles game – meaning it has a huge social element.
Padel’s physical benefits for seniors are profound. A typical match burns around 400 calories per hour, improves cardiovascular health, and strengthens core muscles, balance, and reflexes – all without the joint strain of high-impact sports like squash or running. The enclosed court and doubles format reduce sprinting and sudden stops, making padel ideal for those managing arthritis, mobility issues, or recovering from injury.
Mental stimulation is equally powerful: padel’s strategic rallies and partner communication boost cognitive function, memory, and emotional wellbeing. Studies show that regular play can reduce cortisol levels and increase dopamine and endorphin release, helping combat anxiety, depression, and isolation.
For further assistance Tel. 07760880826.
Sessions available
Monday 6th July 9am
https://app.playtomic.io/lesson_class/781c2160-54c6-4255-9c95-5cd16642c99a?utm_source=manager
Wednesday 8th July 9am
https://app.playtomic.io/lesson_class/e9035113-b14f-4b42-9761-b9a18495a6d0?utm_source=manager
Friday 10th July 9am
https://app.playtomic.io/lesson_class/c00dbbef-73d9-49af-b949-1646b0af42d0?utm_source=manager
Summer Spotlight
And finally, over the summer, the Newsletter team will be shining a spotlight on a selection of our Groups. We hope these features give members a chance to discover something new — and perhaps inspire a few of you to get involved. Keep an eye on your inbox!
If you would like your Group included in the Summer Spotlight , please contact the Newsletter Team