QVA x Quaker Rainbow Gathering Retreat, June 2026

Details

When?

Arrive at 17.00 on Friday 26 and leave by 16.00 on Sunday 28 June 2026.

Where?

This year’s Quaker Rainbow Gathering Retreat takes place at The Hayes, Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 1AU. 

All bedrooms are ensuite and there are accessible, gender-neutral, and gendered toilets available.

While The Hayes is Christian conference centre, the venue does not come under the care of, nor is it aligned to, any particular denomination and has been/is used by many other Quaker groups and events.

Who?

The Gathering Retreat is open to any LGBTQIA+ people and allies aged 14 and over (born before 25 June 2012). Those aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

We welcome bookings from Quakers, the Quaker-ish, and the Quaker-curious. We also welcome bookings from inter-church and inter-faith guests.

This includes:

• LGBTQIA+ Quakers,
• Quakers who are questioning their gender identity or sexuality,
• LGBTQIA+ people who haven’t come out,
• allies of the LGBTQIA+ community,
• parents of LGBTQIA+ people, and
• anyone seeking an LGBTQIA+ inclusive spiritual community.

While the Gathering Retreat takes place in Britain and is primarily for those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ and ally community in Britain, it is open to residents of any country. International participants are responsible for their own visas, we cannot provide administrative support for visa applications.

What?

Quaker Rainbow and Quaker Voluntary Action have teamed up to plan and run the 2026 QVA x Quaker Rainbow Gathering Retreat. This is Quaker Rainbow’s annual residential.

Activities will include:

• Meeting for Worship at the start and end of each day
• discussion groups and reflective activities
• arts and crafts
• games
• opportunities to explore The Hayes’ wonderful grounds
• entertainments on Saturday night
• an opportunity to join Quaker Rainbow in discerning plans for its future
• a chance to meet and worship with LGBTQIA+ Quakers from around the country!

Community Agreement

The Gathering Retreat is run by and for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. For this reason, there is an expectation that every participant upholds, welcomes, and accepts the gender identity, pronouns, name, and sexual orientation of every other participant. This means accepting information about people you meet as they have told it to you, at face-value, and if they have felt comfortable sharing it.

Intentional exclusive, discriminatory, and/or harmful behaviour will not be tolerated at the Gathering Retreat. If someone is found to have exhibited these behaviours with an intent to cause upset or distress, they may be asked to leave the Gathering Retreat.

How much?

The fees cover all meals, morning and afternoon refreshments, accommodation, and admin costs. Participants are responsible for their travel costs getting to and from the Gathering Retreat.

We want to make sure that everyone can take part in the Gathering Retreat, regardless of their financial status. Our tiered fee system means you can pay what you can afford, and you never have to justify which tier you choose.

Financial support is available. We can support you to apply to your Local / Area Quaker Meeting, a Quaker grant-giving trust, or other source of funding. Additionally, QVA and Quaker Rainbow have a joint Bursary Fund to provide you with help to cover the fees and/or travel costs of attending the Gathering Retreat. Please contact us for more information about funding support or the QVA x QR Bursary Fund. You never need to justify asking for financial help. 

Ages 14 to 16 (born on/after 29 June 2009 and on/before 25 June 2012)

Ages 17 and over (born on/before 25 June 2009)

You are extremely welcome to make a donation in excess of your fee payment to support the Bursary Fund and help others take part in future QVA and Quaker Rainbow activities. Please contact us to make a donation for this event. All donations in excess of the fees will be split evenly between QVA and Quaker Rainbow.

All fee payments and donations should be made to QVA’s bank account via bank transfer or cheque. Instructions for doing this will be provided in your booking confirmation.

A 50% deposit will be required to secure your place, and the full balance is due on Friday 19 June 2026, in order to meet the venue’s deadlines. Please note, this deposit is non-refundable due to the venue’s policies.

Indicate the tier you are paying and method of payment on the form below.

How to book

Bookings are now closed as the deadline has passed.