{"id":23,"date":"2023-03-27T16:23:32","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T16:23:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/?page_id=23"},"modified":"2026-03-13T11:32:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T11:32:55","slug":"welcome","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to Beacon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-extra-large-font-size\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-uta-header-back-color\">What is Beacon<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beacon is an on line management system designed by u3as, for u3as. It provides a simple interface for managing members, groups and finances. Beacon is available to all u3as in the UK that wish to take advantage of it. Beacon currently provides over 660 individual u3as and 17 Networks\/Regions&nbsp; with a secure, efficient and effective means of managing their day-to-day business functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong style=\"font-weight: bolder;\"><em style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51);\">See below for a more detailed explanation of the Beacon System and its benefits.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-extra-large-font-size\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-uta-header-back-color\">Beacon<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Need help?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beacon.u3a.org.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/yootheme\/cache\/3c\/big-arrow-icon-e1548498723797-3cf0647d.png\" alt=\"Down arrow\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-uta-button-text-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/u3abeacon.zendesk.com\/hc\/en-gb\">YES, our u3a uses Beacon and needs some help<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-uta-button-text-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/non-beacon-users\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/beacon.u3a.org.uk\/contact-us\/)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NO, our u3a doesn\u2019t use Beacon but wants to find out more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-extra-large-font-size\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-uta-header-back-color\">Video &#8211; How Beacon Works &#8211; A Quick Demo<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-uta-header-back-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-0370c5547088d79ebb1948f2ca4aadfb\">This short video will help you understand the power of Beacon and why it\u2019s a valuable tool that can make managing your membership database easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beacon short demo v4\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MFn6AyE9N2Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The video gives you an overview of the benefits of using Beacon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Beacon is online and always available from any device<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beacon brings security for your records<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beacon reduces the workload of your committee and volunteers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beacon is simple to operate for users<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beacon gives easy continuity when people change roles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The video also covers the key functions of Beacon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>u3a membership management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>u3a groups management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>u3a finance management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>u3a communications by email<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more in-depth presentation on Beacon, get in touch with the Beacon team using this email address:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:info@beacon.u3a.org.uk\">info@beacon.u3a.org.uk<\/a><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-uta-text-color\">.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-uta-button-text-background-color has-background has-normal-font-size\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Beacon-presentation-v1-pdf.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See the latest Beacon presentation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-uta-button-text-background-color has-background has-normal-font-size\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/testimonials-2\/\">Read the views of Beacon Users<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"217\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Beacon-u3a-logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-421\" style=\"width:199px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Beacon-u3a-logo.png 217w, https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Beacon-u3a-logo-50x35.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 217px) 100vw, 217px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-uta-header-back-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3e77eeb5ec8ebd1d2da3ce879af105c2\">What Beacon does and how it can benefit your u3a\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>It&nbsp;allows any u3a to manage their data and communication with their members easily and efficiently<\/strong><br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It can be a huge time saver for those who manage membership and group information<\/strong><br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>With new regulations on Data Privacy, it ensures that u3as comply with all legal requirements<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-uta-header-back-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c6a7be6b3778125ef4e1e01319929e20\">Membership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">All aspects of membership<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Beacon provides a comprehensive set of tools for handling membership: new members, renewals, subscriptions, address changes, membership cards and communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-uta-header-back-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ac3665c3e78ff29760d7b7c25bcd1041\">Groups<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Membership, venues and calendar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Groups are the heart of a u3a, and Beacon provides group leaders with membership management, calendars, group ledgers, and easy communication with group members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-uta-header-back-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-51a55514f6cfa332e9a11f8ed7bb32a5\">Finances<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A secure transaction-based approach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Financial management is based on a secure, simple transaction approach. Every transaction can be assigned to individuals, groups and categories, and the system provides tools for reconciliation with bank accounts and regular reporting, including Gift Aid declarations and claims.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">This Is How Beacon Can Help Your u3a\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All your data is together, secure and held in just one place.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It can be accessed by your chosen authorised users, usually officers &amp; group convenors, each with their own \u2018individual permissions\u2019 to do just what they need to do.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you so choose, Beacon can be accessed by your members \u2013 who enter personal logins to use various functions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Security, no duplication, on-line payments, joined-up functionality, less work, more accuracy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"217\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Beacon-u3a-logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Beacon-u3a-logo.png 217w, https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Beacon-u3a-logo-50x35.png 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 217px) 100vw, 217px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-uta-header-back-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a04d7932daa9eb174f4ffed09e7bf0ee\">Software\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no need to install separate software. All interaction with Beacon takes place through the web browser of your phone, tablet or computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-uta-header-back-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7663f65c973defc9dea31db1163a0bfd\">Long Term Sustainability\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Third Age Trust recognises that Beacon is a key resource for a rapidly growing number of u3as and is committed to facilitating the long-term future of the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beacon is used by over 660 u3as and 17 Networks\/Regions. Feedback has been exceptional by those u3as that are using it. But nothing stands still, so with future planned enhancements the system will provide u3as\/Networks\/Regions with a safer, better-looking and more modern Beacon, supporting your u3a\/Network\/Region for decades to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Beacon Beacon is an on line management system designed by u3as, for u3as. It provides a simple interface for managing members, groups and finances. Beacon is available to all u3as in the UK that wish to take advantage of it. Beacon currently provides over 660 individual u3as and 17 Networks\/Regions&nbsp; with a secure, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-23","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"mb":[],"mfb_rest_fields":["title"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23"}],"version-history":[{"count":57,"href":"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":627,"href":"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23\/revisions\/627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aspiran.com\/beacon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}