First, Love: Getting back to the heart of youth ministry

Why do we do what we do? What is youth ministry really all about? This year at the National Youth Ministry Weekend, we're going to explore some of the most fundamental questions in Christian youth work at what is undoubtedly a critical moment for the church, and for our world as a whole.

As we emerge from this historic period of pandemic, we want to get to the very heart of why ministry with young people is so vitally important. For so many of us, serving God through youth work is our first love - the great passion of our lives. So as we begin to look ahead, to pioneering our way through a forever-changed world, the NYMW presents a rare and precious opportunity to gather and seek God together with others who share our calling.

We can't promise easy answers, but we can guarantee big and important conversations. And whatever new visions and dreams might come from listening to the Spirit of God, we can be certain that we will again be called back to the great commandments and teaching of Jesus. New ideas have their place, but God calls us to first, love.

SO WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AT NYMW 2021?

Well, for starters, we will draw together more than 50 brilliant speakers, worship leaders and entertainers from across the world to inspire you.

You’ll join hundreds of other youth workers in our main sessions and have a huge choice of seminars and events that range from deep theological teaching to practical equipping. Check out our programme here.

You'll have space to relax, get away from the everyday pressures and have a weekend to recharge your spiritual and physical self.

You’ll also have the chance to meet and talk with others who are facing the same challenges whether you’re working in a rural or urban setting, with a small or large youth group, or working in a particular context like school or mental health services. The weekend is put together and organised by youth workers just like you, so we understand what you need.

Got questions about Covid or any other logistics? Click here for some answered FAQs.

INNOVATION and new ideas are vital to your work with young people. That's why every NYMW you'll get three brand new major resources to take home for free - worth up to £100.

With so much changing in our world, youth ministry needs to tackle new issues in different ways. The new resources at NYMW do just that. Developed using the Youthscape innovation process, they're designed to help you make a difference when you get back home.

NYMW innovations in past years have included a diary planner for youth workers, a new mental wellbeing programme for boys, and a fresh, collaborative approach to Bible study & discipleship.

WHERE'S IT HAPPENING? The 2021 National Youth Ministry Weekend is taking place at Resorts World in Birmingham. This amazing £150 million development has stunning conference facilities alongside restaurants, coffee shops, health spa, an 11-screen IMAX cinema, shopping and onsite hotels! You can watch a movie, go for a long walk, have a meal with your team or even have a swim! We think we’ve found the perfect place for you and your team to get refreshed and have fun as well as enjoying the NYMW programme. Located right by the M42, Birmingham International Airport and railway station and with free parking for delegates, there’s also a huge range of low cost hotels and B&B’s nearby.

HOW TO BOOK? Bookings for the few remaining tickets are now open. Demand is likely to be very high as the NYMW sells out well in advance every year. Ticket holders for the cancelled NYMW 2020 have had their tickets transferred automatically to 2021 unless you opted for a refund.

The NYMW programme

Frequently asked questions

What’s covered in the ticket cost?
The ticket covers access to all of the sessions across the weekend event, plus three brand new major resources to take home (worth up to £100!).

How can I find my ticket?
To download your ticket, head to www.youthscape.co.uk and log into your account (under 'My Account') using the email address linked to your NYMW ticket. From there, you should see a menu option for 'My tickets' - click on that and your ticket will be in there!

Is accommodation included/where can I stay?
You’ll need to arrange your own accommodation, but there are a huge number of hotels close to the venue plus some further out that are a little cheaper. If you know anyone who lives nearby, it might be worth seeing if you can stay with them to save some money!

Is food provided?
The NYMW is taking place at The Vox which is part of Resorts World Birmingham which hosts a huge variety of places for you to grab food and drink from. You can find the full list here.

Are there day tickets/are you live streaming the event?
We aren't able to offer day tickets and won’t be live streaming NYMW. We'll be recording all of the content which will be available to purchase afterwards – which might be an option if you're not able to join us in person at the event.

How does parking work?
Parking is free but only in The Vox East Car Park 5. When you arrive at the car park you'll be given a ticket. Bring your ticket with you to the venue, where you'll be able to validate it so that your parking is free. You can do that for each day of that you park there.

Can I get a discount on the price of the ticket?
Unfortunately we're not able to offer discounts on our ticket prices. We always offer early-bird tickets at a reduced price just after the event every year, so we feel it would be unfair to those who were encouraged to get tickets early. Don’t worry though - you’ll definitely get your money’s worth as your ticket covers access to all of the sessions across the weekend, plus three brand new major resources to take home!

What about Covid-19?

For the safety of all participants and attendees at the National Youth Ministry Weekend, we are introducing some extra requirements to stop the spread of Covid-19. Following government guidelines, The Vox have requested that all ticket holders must show proof of one of the below at the venue:

1. Proof of negative test within 24 hours of arrival

NHS rapid lateral flow tests are free. You can order NHS rapid lateral flow tests here or pick them up from any pharmacy or test site. The venue will not have any tests available onsite.

The test should be taken within 24 hours of arriving at the event, and you must report your result online here.

If you do not have access to the internet, you can also report your test result by calling the phone number in your test kit’s instructions, NHS 119 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Scotland 0300 303 2713.

Please do not bring the home test strip with you. You will need to demonstrate your negative NHS rapid lateral flow test result by showing us one of the following:

• Text OR email confirmation of your result;
• OR by using the NHS Covid-19 Pass, available through the NHS App;
• OR as a letter that can be requested by ringing NHS 119 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).

OR:

2. Proof of full vaccination

We cannot accept vaccine cards issued at vaccination centres as proof of vaccination. Please use the NHS Covid-19 Pass - you can find more information here.

You can also get a paper version (vaccination status only - not test results - two weeks after having a full course of the vaccine) sent to you in the post. You do not need to be registered with a GP surgery or have an NHS login for this. You can get a letter (within five working days) by requesting a Covid-19 Pass letter online or calling NHS 119.

OR:

3. Proof of natural immunity

Please use the NHS Covid-19 Pass to show your positive PCR test within the past six months using the NHS App or the NHS website, after you’ve finished self-isolating and up to 180 days after taking the test.

As well as the above Covid-19 safety requirements The Vox staff will also continue to follow these guidelines as well as continuing with enhanced cleaning, providing hand sanitiser throughout the building and performing regular lateral flow tests. Masks will not be mandatory at the event but we absolutely support anyone, team or guest, who would prefer to wear one. If you have any questions or queries please contact our team on nymw@youthscape.co.uk

I’ve tested positive - I can’t come to NYMW 2021
If, in the lead up to NYMW 2021, you test positive for COVID-19 (or a dependent tests positive) and therefore you can’t attend the event, read on for what to do:

1. If you’ve tested positive with a Lateral Flow Test, you’ll need to book a PCR test.
2. Next, see if someone else could use your ticket for NYMW 2021. There may be some in your church or a friend who could use the ticket - always worth checking with them.
3. If you can’t find someone to take your place, we will offer an automatic free rollover to our 2022 event as well as free access to the recorded content of our 2021 event. If this is you, then email nymw@youthscape.co.uk with your name and email address and proof of positive PCR test (this proof will either need to be an NHS email or print out from the NHS app) and we’ll rollover your ticket to 2022*

*You will receive confirmation of being booked onto the 2022 event shortly after the 2021 event has finished and the 2022 system has gone live.