Conference & AGM 2026

Using buildings creatively; empowering volunteers

Two days of networking, learning, and collaboration in Cardiff

Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October 2026

£17.50 per person (plus Eventbrite booking fee), including refreshments and a buffet lunch.

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This year’s theme, Using Buildings Creatively; Empowering Volunteers, will explore how churches, chapels and faith buildings can develop new uses, strengthen community engagement and inspire sustainable futures. The programme will include visits to a wide range of worship spaces across Cardiff, alongside talks, discussions and case studies focusing on enterprise, pilgrimage, heritage, volunteering and creative reuse.

A full programme and booking details will be announced soon, but delegates can already look forward to an engaging weekend of ideas, networking and exploration in one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Sir Robert Buckland, Church Estates Commissioner and chair of the Bishoprics and Cathedrals Committee and the Mission, Pastoral and Church Property Committee on supporting historic places of worship at the heart of our communities

• Rachel Morley, Director of the Friends of Friendless Churches on her new book, Church Crawling (Penguin), in which explains the joy of visiting churches and explains how they bring people and history to life in colourful, moving and unexpected ways

• Gareth Simpson of the National Churches Trust on using places of worship creatively to earn income and engage with the wider community

• Revd Rebecca Sparey, Mission Area Leader in Denbigh Mission Area, on empowering volunteers

• Sarah Perons on the growth of pilgrimage and new routes in Bangor Diocese

• Susan Fielding and Beck Edwards on the Welsh Royal Commission’s Capeli Cyrmu project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to carry out a national audit of the status of chapels in Wales and promote examples of benign reuse

• Anastazia Thomas, Heritage & Community Officer with the St Elvans Community Heritage Trist on the transformation of St Elvans, Aberdare, known as ‘The Cathedral of the Valleys’, into a community resource combining concerts, festivals, exhibitions, heritage tours and the Spires coffee shop with an active place of worship

Join us to connect, learn and make the most of visitors to your church or chapel.

Connect with fellow church representatives, tourism professionals, and others to share insights and best practice. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of shaping the future of church tourism.

Everyone from any church or chapel, or an organisation working with them anywhere in the UK and Ireland is very welcome.

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Friday 16 October (optional add-ons)

• Walking tour of Cardiff churches (car travel available for those with limited mobility) - FREE BUT MUST BE BOOKED

• Evensong - please let us know if you might come along, so we can let the Cathedral know of a large group

• Meal at a restaurant in Cardiff city centre - TO BE PAID FOR BY ATTENDEES

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Saturday 17 October

Presentations from expert speakers on subjects including:

• Heritage and tourism in Wales

• Pilgrimage and faith tourism

• The future of places of worship in Wales