Fit for Function Conference

Fit for Function Conference:

Volunteers, visitors and keeping churches open

• When: Wednesday 4th October 2023, 9.15 registration for 10.00 start until 16.15
• Venue: Norton St James and The Beechill Room, Church Lane, Norton juxta Kempsey, Worcester, WR5 2PX, just off M5 Junction 7 and a 15 minute walk from Worcestershire Parkway mainline station.

Do you want to find out more about recruiting and retaining volunteers, setting up a Friends Group or making the most of tourism opportunities in your church building?  Church buildings have been used for activities beyond worship for hundreds of years and are perfectly placed to provide essential local services, enable wider social connections and for showcasing local and national heritage.  However, as custodians of these wonderful buildings, it is not always easy to work out what is possible, where to start, and what help is available to achieve this.

Join us at St James’s Church in Norton juxta Kempsey for the Fit for Function Conference: Volunteers, visitors and keeping churches open to explore the ways in which we can unlock the potential of our church buildings. 

Including talks from

• Keynote speaker Rev Canon Flora Winfield, Third Church Estates Commissioner
• Phil Downing, Hall and Programmes Manager at Harvington Hall,
• The Plunket Foundation on Community Businesses inside church buildings
• Joe Elders Church Buildings Council on setting up Friends Groups
• Ian Simpson, Historic Places of Worship Support Officer at Birmingham Diocese and Chairman of the Churches Visitor & Tourism Association
• Claire Strachen, Church Buildings Development and Project Officer at Coventry Diocese

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.  

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Tickets cost £15 and ticket sales close on 19th September 2023

Book tickets here

This event is jointly organised by the Church of England Dioceses of Worcester, Birmingham, Lichfield, Hereford, Gloucester and Coventry and the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham.