September 2025 – What We Covered

Welcome to the September 2025 archive of the Minehead & District U3A Society Hub. In this month we tackled a mix of topics that affect families, charities, and anyone curious about recent legal changes. Below you’ll find quick takeaways from each article, so you can grab the info you need without hunting through every post.

Kids’ Free Time – Why It Matters

Our first story asks a simple question: How much free time do kids actually need? Research shows unstructured play boosts creativity, problem‑solving, and emotional health. The sweet spot? Roughly 2–3 hours of loose play each day for younger children, tapering to about 1–2 hours for teens. Too many scheduled activities can crowd out that vital downtime, leading to stress and burnout.

Practical tips include setting a “no‑screen hour” after school, encouraging outdoor play, and letting kids choose their own activities. Remember, the goal isn’t to fill every minute with structured lessons; it’s to give kids space to explore, imagine, and just be kids.

Texas Law Changes & Charitable Trust Tips

If you live in Texas or follow state policies, September brought two big legal updates. First, HB 1925 tightened the public camping ban across most cities. The law now makes it illegal to set up a tent or sleep in public spaces without a permit, with fines ranging from $100 to $500. Cities like Austin and Dallas have added local enforcement rules, so you could get a citation for simply laying out a sleeping bag on a sidewalk.

Second, a separate guide explains how to navigate these new rules safely. Options include seeking out shelters, contacting local outreach programs, or applying for a short‑term permit where available. Knowing your rights—and the exact penalties—can help you avoid costly tickets.

On the charity side, we cleared up a common confusion: Is a charitable trust revocable or irrevocable? In the UK (Scotland), most charitable trusts are irrevocable once registered with OSCR, but you can embed a “reserved power” clause to retain some flexibility. In the US, the default is also irrevocable, though a revocable charitable remainder trust (CRT) is an option if you want to keep control during your lifetime. Tax implications differ, so it’s worth talking to a specialist to pick the structure that fits your goals.

Key takeaways: for Texas residents, double‑check city ordinances before setting up a campsite; for charity founders, decide early whether you need revocability and plan the trust language accordingly.

That’s the roundup for September 2025. Whether you’re a parent, a community organizer, or a budding philanthropist, these posts give you clear steps to act on. Come back any time for deeper dives, or jump straight to the article that interests you most.