Celebrating 25 Years as a vibrant part of the Tonbridge community
Everyone who has access to the personal information of members of Tonbridge u3a has a responsibility to protect the confidentiality of that information. This applies to members of the Committee, Group Leaders, and anyone else who has access to the personal information of members on our membership database (Beacon) or any other source.
This means that without the express prior permission of that member, no personal information relating to a member should ever be given to anyone (including another Tu3a member). This applies to all information available on our Beacon system or provided to a Group Leader by a member.
The consequences of a breach of GDPR can be serious so please help us keep our members’ data safe.
Tonbridge u3a has a number of items of equipment that event organisers and group leaders can request. These items are in regular use and so it is essential that they are booked at least one month in advance if required for a particular event or group meeting.
We have a small team that manages this equipment and requests may be turned down because no one in the team is available to supply the equipment. Please only request items if it is essential to the operation of your event / meeting.
The items frequently used at events or group meetings are:
New laptop
Old laptop
DVD player (must be booked with new laptop).
Data projector
Projection screen
PA system (this includes amplifier, microphone and power lead).
Extension leads
To book an item please send an email to equipment@tonbridgeu3a.uk with details of the equipment you need, the event and the date required. One of the team handling these emails will respond. You can’t assume you will have the equipment requested until you receive a response. The response may ask for further information, such as your ability to collect the kit. Once the detailed arrangements have been made you will be informed when the kits will be available and when it has to be returned.
You may be asked to pick up / drop off the equipment from one of the team or our secure storage location (this only holds a limited amount of equipment).
If the equipment is out with someone and needed the next day by someone else, we will endeavour to make arrangements so that both can have the kit. However the requestor may need to be the person running around, perhaps collecting it directly from the previous user.
A Health and Safety Policy Statement was approved by the Committee on 5 March 2024 it can be viewed on the Policy and Guidance Documents page.
Activating and using a Beacon Account - helpful guide as pdf
Activating a Google Workspace Account on a laptop - step by step guide as pdf or as a PowerPoint slide show
Activating a Google Workspace Account on an iPad - step by step guide as pdf or as a PowerPoint slide show
Details of all the venues currently used by our groups and some other venues that might be used are listed here.
Detailed report of ChristChurch rooms
Detailed report of Goldsmid Hall
Whenever any aspect of a group changes it needs to be reflected on the website and in the handbook. If you make a change to the details of your group (when you meet for example) please email groupupdate@tonbridgeu3a.uk and if possible update the details on Beacon.
It is important that accurate records of which members belong to our groups are maintained on our membership system, Beacon. The benefits of this are many and include:
The ability for a committee member to contact group members if the group leader suddenly becomes unavailable.
It enables the web team to provide information to new and prospective members about which groups have vacancies.
It allows a group leader to easily email all the members of a group and ensures that such emails comply with the GDPR regulations.
It allows a group leader to easily record and manage a waiting list of members wishing to join the group.
It allows the committee to have an overview of the state of the groups.
Group leaders are encouraged to request a Beacon account (by emailing beacon@tonbridgeu3a.uk ). Once the account has been created they have the ability to maintain the description and membership of their group. In addition they will be able to easily email members of their group and other group leaders.
Alternatively group leaders can permit the update team to maintain details of their group on Beacon. They can supply the team with the current members in their group by completing a simple form (also available at the open day and the monthly meetings) or by emailing the team at groupupdate@tonbridgeu3a.uk . Changes to the membership of the group should be emailed to the team or passed in a note to a committee member.
A victim of sudden cardiac arrest is three times more likely to survive if they receive early defibrillation and for every minute that passes chances of survival reduce by 7-10%. It is crucial that CPR and defibrillation are applied as soon as possible following a cardiac arrest.
Early use of a defibrillator unit or AED saves lives as it interrupts the abnormal twitching of the heart, often shocking the heart back into a normal rhythm. AED units are incredibly effective, and easy to use as they give voice prompts to tell the user what to do and when.
How to find the nearest AED to you or your group's venue
Go to https://www.defibfinder.uk/ and type in your post code or the postcode of your group's venue if that is different. The green icon is the nearest AED to your venue. The brown icons are other AEDs in your area. Some AEDs have a keypad for security. When 999 ambulance is called the operator will give you the keypad code. This document lists the AEDs known to us in Tonbridge. If any member is aware of other AEDs please let Ollie know at support@tonbridgeu3a.uk.
Group Leaders are encouraged to request accounts on the Beacon and / or Workspace systems now deployed by emailing itadmin@tonbridgeu3a.uk
These are the slides of a presentation on our IT facilities.
Group Leaders are reminded that risk assessments should be carried out before any activity is undertaken.
The latest risk assessment documents are available here.
Those organising walks might find the Ramblers risk assessment form useful.
Any member who is the designated leader for any group outing, whether in town or country, should make sure that everyone on the outing has supplied a contact number to be used in the event of an incident.
A document detailing the reasons why next of kin information is required and how the information is managed is available here
At the time of the accident / incident priority must be given to obtaining appropriate help as quickly as possible.
No one who is unwell or unable to continue should be left on their own.
If necessary the contact person for that member should be informed of the situation.
In the case of a serious accident / incident a member of the u3a committee should be contacted.
In all cases a Incident report form should be completed and sent to the secretary.
This form is available as a pdf document here or a word document. Many find the easiest thing to do is to print the pdf document, complete the sections in ink and then deliver the completed form to the secretary.
Alternatively the document is available in Word format so that it can be edited. You must first download the form from the google workspace.
If you use a Windows based computer start by clicking here. The template will be displayed in google docs format, it is then necessary to select File (from the tool bar at the top of the screen), then select Download and then select Microsoft Word (.docx). The form will be downloaded onto your local device. It can then be edited before being emailed to the secretary at secretary@tonbridgeu3a.uk or printed and delivered to her. A digital (typed) signature is acceptable.
If you use an iPad click here then save it or email it to yourself. If you have emailed it to yourself you will need to Download it and then open it in Word.