Frequently
Asked
Questions
Practical Questions
Find out the answers to all your practical questions
When does the conference start and end?
The conference starts at 2pm on Friday 7th February 2025.
It ends at 1pm on Sunday 9th February 2025.
Where is the conference held?
The conference is held at the Bethel Convention Centre, West Bromwich.
The full address for the venue is:
Bethel Convention Centre
Kelvin Way
West Bromwich
Birmingham
B70 7JW
How can I get to the conference?
By car
Use the postcode: Kelvin Way, Birmingham, B70 7JW. The centre is outside of the payment zone and just one mile from the M5.
Once at the convention centre, there are 226 Free available car parking spaces on a first come first served basis, including 11 disabled spaces.
On the roadside ( Kelvin Way) 213 Free spaces, but you must ensure you do not park on the double yellow lines or the Red route in order to avoid a fine.
There are also other car parks at Sandwell & Dudley station and Oldbury town centre – Charges apply at these car parks
By train
The closest train stations to the Bethel Convention Centre are:
- Sandwell & Dudley (0.4 miles)
- Langley Green (1.2 miles)
- Smethwick Galton Bridge (1.2 miles)
Sandwell & Dudley is the closest station, it’s on the west coast mainline, around 7 minutes walk to the centre.
By plane
The closest airports to the Bethel Convention Centre are:
- Birmingham International Airport (11.7 miles)
- East Midlands Airport (35.7 miles)
- Manchester Airport (59.9 miles)
By horse
Whilst we appreciate your desire to reduce your carbon footprint, unfortunately we do not have stables available to look after your horse.
Where can I stay?
NEARBY HOTELS
Premier Inn West Bromwich Town Centre
Village Birmingham Hotel (Dudley)
The town has a wide variety of hotel and bed and breakfast facilities all within a couple of miles of the venue. Check back here to see special conference deals that we are working on for accommodation suiting all budgets.
The Mercure Hotel have offered delegates who call through to reception and mention the Hand in Hand conference the following deal: each room, single occupancy, would be £89 per night, bed and breakfast for a single occupancy room, and £99 per night for a double occupancy room bed and breakfast.
Where can I get food?
You will need to provide your own food over the weekend. You can buy a food pass for £20 to provide you with food on Friday night, Saturday lunch and evening.
Eating establishments within walking distance include:
- Cafe within the venue, on the left hand side as you enter the building and upstairs on the first floor, serving hot drinks, sandwiches & snacks throughout the conference ( Subject to availability)
- A food van serving: Friday night BBQ, Saturday lunch hog roast, Saturday evening wraps.
- Or bring your own food.
While there are places to eat a short car ride away, please be aware that there are no restaurants in walking distance of the venue.
Are there going to be any day tickets available?
Day tickets will be released in January 2025.
How can I get the free place for senior leaders?
One free place is avialable per church for the senior leader of the church only (vicar, minister, senior pastor or elder) when a member of their church has booked to attend the conference. This offer is avialable entirely at the organiser’s discretion.
To receive your free place:
Book in your church member first, then send the booking number, name of your church and name of the senior leader who the free place is for to info@handinhandconference.com
For any questions on this offer, please contact us on the same email.
Do I have to prebook which seminars I want to go to?
No. Simply book your place and decide on the day. (Of course you can look at our programme page and plan your choices in advance too, for those of you who like to be organised, but you don’t need to let us know – just show up.)
If you plan to attend a table top sessions these will need to be prebooked as spaces are limited. Details of how to prebook will be released nearer the time.
I need to cancel my ticket. Can I get a refund?
You have the right to cancel within seven days of making a booking or receiving the email confirmation. In this situation you will receive a full refund.
Cancellations after that time will only be available to those who are unable to attend the event due to serious illness.
A £25 deduction will be made to reflect admin costs incurred.
All refunds applied for after 31st December 2024 will not be given. Refunds cannot be applied for after the event.
I can no longer come, can I transfer my ticket to someone else?
Tickets are transferrable. Please email info@handinhandconference.com with your name and the name of the person who will be using your ticket.
I have a different question.
Contact us here:
mail: info@handinhandconference.com
Telephone: 0044 (0)1323 506402
About the conference
Find out more details about the conference.
How long has the conference been running for?
The Hand in Hand conference has been running for 25 years. It is well established as a major gathering point for children and family minsitries from across the denominations in the UK and beyond.
Who hosts the conference?
The conference is hosted by the Kingsway CLC Trust. Kingsway CLC distribute Christian books and media wholesale, sell direct through https://equippingthechurch.com/ and support this conference as well as a conference for worship leaders.
This conference is planned by a core team of children and family leaders, and supported by many organisations and individuals from across the nation.
What are the sessions like?
We have a number of different sessions. Our main sessions include worship, a keynote talk, interviews, prayer and more.
Our seminars are run in a variety of ways:
Our research stream seminars include a panel and small group discussion time to allow you to reflect on how the research presented will impact the way you minister to children and families.
Our creative stream seminars give you an opportunity to experience and practice ministry.
Other seminars will include presentations and the opportunity to ask questions and learn together.
We have four types of sessions to choose from:
1. Long semianrs, one hour in depth.
2. Short seminars, 15 minutes of high impact ideas.
3. Networking, grab your lunch and meet like minded people.
4. Table top discussions, book your place for discussions around a table led by an expert in their field.
We also have some special ‘Selah sessions’. See the next question for more details.
What are the 'Selah' sessions?
The word Selah is used in the book of Psalms to describe time to pause and reflect. We invite you to join in some of our Selah moments where we are creating space for you to do just that.
These include:
1. Prayer room available throughout the conference where our team are ready to pray for you.
2. Optional session with an extended time of worship on Friday evening.
3. Opportunity to pray for the children of our nation with others on Saturday evening.
4. Prayer spots for you to stand and pray for different themes.
5. We have a team devoted to being there for you too! Look out for them if you need to chat to someone.
Can I share what God has been doing with the children in our ministry this year?
There will be a video booth set up for you to share any testimonies of what the Lord has been doing through you in the last year.
Will there be anything interactive, so I can see ministry in action?
Yes! There is loads going on at the conference.
1. Many of our exhibitors have build in interactivity into their stands. Make sure you visit them all.
2. We also have a fun zone set up where you can go try out different object lessons, actvities and more with our team there.
3. Many of our seminars are full of interactive opportunities too – get ready for some hands on learning opportunities.
How can I find out more?
There is loads of information on this website with details of all the sessions. If you can’t find what you’re looking for get in touch with us by email: info@handinhandconference.com
We have a full programme of sessions, seminars, and networking together. Take a look at it here.
Find out about our amazing keynote and seminar speakers who will be sharing with us at the conference.
We have the largest exhibition of children’s and family ministry in the UK. Gain ideas, resources and great conversations.
Discover our accessibility arrangements for all delegates and inform us of your unique needs.
Discover our food pass and other options for food and accommoation.
One delegate is going to win ALL of these products that are new in the last 12 months.
Book your space at the conference today.