Refuel 2026 Seminar Programme

 

Seminar Slot 1 – 11:30am

 

  1. Sensory Play with preschool and SEN children     –     Seminar Room A

    The aim of this seminar is to explore practical ways we can make our children’s church provision more inclusive. We will look at adaptions that can be made to meet a range of needs, including the use of sensory-based play as a meaningful way for children to connect and engage.

    Louise Taplin

    I am a mum of two grown up children and have been involved in children’s church at West Kirby URC for over 20 years. I am particularly passionate about teaching young children about God’s love.
    I am also an occupational therapist, with experience in supporting children with additional needs. This has given me a deeper understanding of how children experience and engage with the world around them.

     

  2. Setting a Healthy Culture in your Youth Ministry     –     Seminar Room C

    This seminar will focus on how to intentionally build a healthy culture in youth ministry. We’ll explore how to develop a strong and unified team culture, create an environment where young people feel safe, known, and spiritually hungry, and shape a culture that naturally welcomes and integrates new young people. The session is designed to be practical and honest, helping youth leaders understand that culture doesn’t happen by accident, it’s something we build, lead, and protect.

    Matt Sanderson

    My name is Matt. My wife Becca and I are Youth Pastors based on the Wirral in the UK at Life Church. Together, we lead and build into young people week in and week out, creating spaces where they can belong, grow in faith, and encounter God. Our heart is to see young people not just attend youth, but truly be discipled and step into who God has called them to be. We run Friday Night programmes, midweek YTH Bible studies, mentoring sessions in school and engage our young people with our Sunday services.

 
 
 

  1. A Living Sacrifice: Theology and Burnout in Ministry     –     Seminar Room B

    As Christians celebrate “going the extra mile” (Matthew 5:41) and passionately pursue growth, burnout does not necessarily appear wrong until it is too late. This interactive seminar aims to help individuals to reflect on the theology of work and rest that has shaped them, and realign with the heart of our loving God who knows we are dust yet delights in seeing us thrive.

    Kath Hilborne

    Kath is a practical theologian who works as Church Life Co-Ordinator at West Kirby United Reformed Church. She has a Master’s degree in Theology from the University of Cambridge, a Master’s in Theology & Ministry from Durham University, and a postgraduate diploma in Counselling & Spiritual Care, alongside 14 years of experience in local church ministry. 

 

 

 

Seminar Slot 2 – 3:10pm

 

  1. Why and How we work with Children     –     Seminar Room C

    In this seminar we will be looking at why we bother teaching the Bible to children; how difficult that can be at times; and also looking at some practical tips on how we teach the Bible faithfully and relevantly to the next generation.

  • Rich Dodd

    Rich is married to Pam and has grown up twins Katy and Tom. He’s been working as a schools worker, for his local church, in Primary schools for 6 years now and previous to that ran Wirral Youth For Christ’s Acorn Project, connecting churches with their local Primary school. Other than helping people dig in the Bible more Rich enjoys watching and playing pretty much any sport that involves a ball.

 
 
 

  1. Studying the Bible with Young People – Building a Biblical Encyclopaedia     –     Seminar Room B

    We’ll be exploring the importance of having a mental Biblical encyclopaedia when studying the Bible, and some tips to help you and your young people build one for yourselves. Learn to think about God, and the world, in the same way as the Biblical authors and original readers – including Jesus!

    Christopher Jarvis

    Christopher has been the Youth Ministry Coordinator for Bebington Parish Church for almost a decade, but has been involved in youth ministry since he was 18. Driven primarily by his ever rotating wheel of hobbies and interests; Christopher is proud to be a husband, father, and huge nerd!

 

 

  1. Volunteer Recruitment and Management     –     Seminar Room A

    Volunteering is changing and so are the people who want to get involved. This seminar will explore how churches and community groups can create meaningful volunteering opportunities that inspire the next generation and strengthen local communities.
    The seminar will look at what motivates people to volunteer and how to remove barriers and build flexible purposeful roles that develop confidence, skills and a sense of belonging. The session will also share practical ideas for recruiting, supporting and retaining volunteers, while creating safe and welcoming environments where people can thrive.


    Jen Paton – Volunteer Programme Manager at Wirral CVS.

    Jen has worked in the Voluntary and Community sector for over 20 years, working for Scope, Age UK Wirral, Mencap and Macmillan Cancer Support. In her role at Wirral CVS, Jen leads the volunteering team who support the sector to recruit, support and retain volunteers, and ensure that the value of volunteering is recognised across the Borough.

 

 

 

 

Seminar Slot 3 – 4:10pm

 

  1. Children and the Online World     –     Seminar Room B

    There is so much anxiety about the online world and how it is influencing our children. But as Christians we are called to reach out into the world around us and share the message of Jesus. We can’t ignore the online world! This seminar will help you to consider some opportunities of how you can engage children through online and digital spaces, in safe and effective ways. Sarah will bring research insights about children’s interactions online and how they may impact their faith and spirituality. We’ll look at some opportunities and ideas for your ministry.


    Sarah Holmes

    Sarah Holmes has been involved in various children and family ministries for over 30 years. She now works at Liverpool Hope University teaching Childhood studies and at Scripture Union as Research Lead. She’s passionate about supporting and equipping those involved in children, youth and family ministry.

     

  2. Pastoral Care and Mentoring Young People     –     Seminar Room C

    Creating space for conversation – Together we will explore key issues young people are facing around mental health and wellbeing, and discover how the “Rooted” resources from Scripture Union can help create safe, faith-filled spaces for conversation in schools, churches, and communities

    Kate Doogan

    Kate has a heart and passion for children and youth work, she has worked in a number of different settings including schools, youth charities and churches, and her heart and passion is to make Jesus known. Her role within Scripture Union is a Revealing Jesus Pioneer, supporting and equipping churches as they reach out to children and young people who don’t yet go to church, Kate is based in Liverpool and when she is not working for Scripture Union she looks after her 2 and 4 year old.

     


    Lucy Pearson

    Having worked for scripture union for 10 years as a mission enabler Lucy is passionate about relational youth work and walking alongside young people. She founded Rooted eight years ago to support churches and schools in creating space for honest conversations around faith, mental health, and wellbeing through workshops, lessons, journals, and retreat days

     

  3. Dealing with Challenging Behaviour from children & young people     –     Seminar Room A

    This seminar creates space to reflect on the challenging behaviours when working with children and young people. Together, we’ll explore why young people may act out, how our own responses can shape situations, and what lies beneath the behaviour we see.
    We’ll also explore ways to both to help prevent difficulties before they arise and how to respond well in the moment when things become challenging.

    Emily Tucker

    I have over 10 years experience working with young people and currently work in a residential children’s home with young people in care. Before that I worked for Wirral Youth for Christ for 6 years as Schools Worker and then as Director. I am a qualified Primary School teacher and have worked with students in an Alternative Provision school.