FAQs
Modern life is pretty stressful, with money and time in short supply. What benefit will I get from attending the retreat?
Being part of a community that is practising mindfulness together is usually refreshing and enjoyable. If you attend the retreat you will be learning how to slow down, how to bring mindful attention to your everyday activities – sitting, walking, eating, speaking. This will be helpful when you go back home, to help you practise mindfulness in your everyday life.
How many people will there be? Will I be able to see and hear properly?
There will be about 900 people at the retreat. There will be two Dharma halls where many of the retreat activities will take place: Thich Nhat Hanh will speak in one, and there will be a video link to the other. Both halls have amplification and a loop system. The talks will be displayed simultaneously on screens in both halls. We will each be invited at least once during the retreat to listen to Thay’s Dharma talk from the 2nd hall.
What does a typical day look like?
The theme of the retreat is ‘Cultivating Happiness’. The schedule will vary from day to day but is likely to include a morning sitting meditation (at around 6.30am), a dharma talk by Thich Nhat Hanh, outside walking meditation, dharma sharing and an evening sitting meditation that finishes at around 10pm. Sample Programme.
What is the last date for booking at the lower Early Bird price?
Early Bird rate applies to bookings received on or before Friday 6 January 2012.
Is there a bursary fund?
We are offering a number of places at lower rates to make it more affordable for people on low incomes, and early bird discounts for people whose bookings we receive on or before Friday 6 January 2012. We regret there is no bursary fund.
I didn’t book at the same time as someone whom I need to sleep near. How do I join their ‘group’?
Additions to a group booking must be made by the person who made the original booking. So please ask the person who made the original booking to add you to their booking. This can be done up until Tuesday 29th February 2012. After that date, please contact the Bookings Team. If they booked by post, please ask them to contact the Bookings Team to add you to their booking.
I’m changing my address/am on crutches after an accident. How do I change my booking details?
The person who made the booking must contact the Bookings Team to request any changes. If you booked by post, please contact the Bookings Team to make any changes to your booking.
If I have to cancel, will I get a refund?
Early Bird tickets
Early Bird tickets are non-refundable. We have to pay the basic costs for the Nottingham Retreat by January 2012, so we are offering the Early Bird tickets to encourage people to book early to generate funds to meet these costs. This is why we cannot offer a refund for the Early Bird Tickets.
Standard Price tickets
If you need to cancel your booking, please contact the Bookings Team by email or post as soon as possible, so that if needed we can offer your place to someone else. We regret we cannot accept cancellations by phone.
Refunds depend on the date of cancellation as follows:
| Notice of cancellation | Refund amount |
| On or after 6 January until 29 February | 50% refund; 50% cancellation fee |
| On or after 129 February | No refund |
All participants are advised to consider taking out travel insurance to provide cover for cancellation due to illness or accident.
No refunds are payable for late arrivals or early departures.
In the event of Thich Nhat Hanh being unable to lead the retreat, it is our intention that the event will still take place, led by the monks and nuns ofPlumVillage, with the assistance of senior members of the Community of Interbeing. No additional refunds to those described above will be made in this eventuality and you agree to this by making a booking.
Also please see Terms and Conditions of Booking.
Can I be sure I’ll be allocated a room next to my children?
Please book your family at the same time (as a ‘group’). All members of the group will be given adjacent sleeping accommodation. Children under 3 will share your room in a cot (please bring your own cot and bedding) or other portable bed. Older children up to 13 will share your room (or the room of an older sibling) on a portable bed. Any portable beds and bedding must be provided by you. Nottingham Conferences are unable to supply any portable beds.
What is provided in the bedrooms?
The rooms have a single bed, small fridge, wardrobe, desk, bedside table and light, mirror and internal phone. Broadband connection will NOT be working.
A duvet and cover, two sheets, one pillow, pillowcase and two towels are provided. Please contact the Hall Manager if you require a change of linen. Please bring any extra pillows or rugs that you may need in order to be comfortable.
Hair dryers are not provided so please bring your own. There are electric sockets in each bedroom. If you’re coming from overseas, you will need a 220/240V adapter for your shaver or hair dryer.
All bedrooms have their own wash basin with hot and cold running water and a shared bathroom down the corridor.
There is a small pantry on each floor with a kettle for making hot drinks. Please bring your favourite teas and a mug.
How far is it between the hall and the Conference Centre?
It depends which hall you’re in. Between 300 and 1000 metres. It is a pleasant walk. If you are not able to walk, there are car parks close to each hall and to the Conference Centre.
Is there free parking?
There is limited free parking outside the Conference Centre, where people with no mobility difficulties will be encouraged to leave their cars. There are blue badge spaces outside each building – please ask on the booking form to reserve one of these. There is limited parking outside each hall of residence – please let us know when you arrive at the retreat if you need to drive between the hall and the Conference Centre.
Will there be childcare available throughout the day so we can attend all the sessions?
The children’s and teens programme (for ages 5-18) will run during all the adult sessions including the evening one (finishing about 9pm). For children under 5 a Children and Parents room will be available throughout the day. This will be run by the parents themselves with the support of members of the Retreat Team.
I have a disabled child in a wheelchair. Will there be suitable childcare available?
We welcome children with disabilities to join the children’s programme (they need to be 5 or over). We have no special training in these areas. Please contact the Enquiries Team with details of your child’s situation and we will do our best to prepare.
I am deaf / hard of hearing. Will I be able to participate?
Our aspiration is to make this retreat accessible for everybody. There will be two Dharma halls where many of the retreat activities will take place: Thich Nhat Hanh will speak in one, and there will be a video link and infra-red facilities in the other. Both halls have amplification and a loop system. The text of his talk will be displayed simultaneously on screens in both halls.
There are no loop systems in the halls of residence. Please contact the Enquiries Team to discuss how we can help you, for example, by reserving a space in the dharma hall, or placing you in a dharma sharing group which benefits from a loop system (depending on numbers, we regret we cannot guarantee a loop system in the sharing group).
Are there sports facilities nearby?
There is an extensive network of paved, grass and woodland paths in the campus for running, jogging and walking.
There are also (see top left on the Venue map):
Swimming Pool (open7.30am – 6.30pm* weekdays,9am – 5pm* on Saturday and Sunday. Need £1 for locker – refundable).
*Please note that there may may be occasions when these times change due to special events such as swimming galas, inter-University competitions etc, but these events are always advertised in advance and posted at the swimming pool.
University Park Gym (over 18s only) (open7am-10pm Mon-Sat; 8am-8pm Sunday).
Sports Centre with squash and outdoor tennis courts (open9-10.30pm weekdays,9-9pm Saturday,9-5pm Sunday). To book a court, phone 0115 9515516.
Where is the nearest doctor / chemist?
Cripps Health Centre, including a pharmacy, is a short distance from the Conference Centre. See no. 19 on the Venue map.
Urgent/emergency appointments can be made with the ‘Duty Doctor’ Monday – Friday 9.30-12.00 and 2.30-5pm. Phone Reception 8am-6pm to book one of these if you have a truly urgent medical problem.
There is also always a nurse and doctor available for urgent problems when the surgery is closed. They will provide advice or arrange to see you as necessary.
Phone: 0115 8468888, 0115 9501654 or 0845 4647 (NHS Direct)
Is there a cash machine / bank / other shops nearby?
There is a bank, bookshop and Student Union store (drinks, snacks, newsagent etc.) in the Portland Building. There are 24 hour access cash machines outside the building which accept all major bank cards, and do not charge for use. The Portland Building is a short distance from the Conference Centre (no. 15 on the Venue map).
Is there a prayer room for retreatants’ use?
Yes, downstairs in Portland Building, not available 24 hours a day. Or you can use your own bedroom. The Portland Building is a short distance from the Conference Centre (no. 15 on the Venue map).
What should I bring to the retreat?
Please check the Joining instructions after 1 March 2012
What’s the weather like in April?
Do I need to bring waterproof clothing, heavy shoes or an umbrella? Hopefully it will be warm and sunny (you may want to check a weather website, such as the Met Office). But it’s never certain, so you are advised to bring waterproof and warm clothing, heavy shoes and an umbrella. The paths we will be using for outside walking meditation, and between the centre and halls, are all paved and should not be muddy.
Can I contact other people to share a lift?
Please use the Mindfulness Retreats Facebook Page or Freewheelers to offer or find a lift to the Retreat.
Will there be a pickup service from the station/airport (etc)?
No. See Getting there for taxi and bus services. Or check the Retreats Facebook Page or Freewheelers to find a lift to the event.