Susan is a dynamic and enthusiastic Group Leader at Edinburgh u3a, where she oversees three groups: Gallery 4 (including Zoom art group), Easy Hillwalking and Easy Cycling. Her passion for learning and social connection is infectious, making group participation a rewarding experience for all involved.   

She firmly believes that being a subject-matter expert isn’t always necessary to run a group. Instead, she draws on the collective skills of group members to enhance everyone’s experience. In her Easy Hillwalking group, for example, a couple of members have extensive knowledge of the Pentlands. Together, they collaborate on routes, check progress on maps, and share responsibility, turning a simple walk into a rich, engaging adventure. “At first, I thought it was just about going up a hill and down the other side,” Susan says with a smile.   

Susan joined Edinburgh u3a seven years ago and was soon encouraged to lead a jogging group. After passing that on, she established the Easy Hillwalking group to maintain her cardiovascular exercise. From there, Easy Cycling and Galleries followed, and for a time she ran a German language group. She also participates in a Canasta group. 

To manage multiple groups, Susan draws on her experience as a secretary in a stockbroking firm to organise logistics - scheduling dates and times, planning lunch stops and booking gallery guides.    

She emphasises that starting a group at Edinburgh u3a is made easy by the support of Group Coordinators and the willingness of other leaders to share their insights.   

 If you have an area of interest you’d love to explore, Edinburgh u3a provides a supportive environment to start your own group and make a meaningful impact (here) — just as Susan has done. 

Page last updated on 11th June 2025