Arts Psychiatry SIG Summer Conference 2026 | The Art of Empathy - Storytelling in Mental Health

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31Jul

In-person event

Timings 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Location RCPsych, 21 Prescot Street, London, E1 8BB
CPD 1 CPD point per hour of content, subject to peer approval
Non-Member£180
Consultant£150
SAS Doctor / Resident£100
Medical Student / Foundation Doctor / Subsidised Member / Retired Member£50
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Arts Psychiatry SIG Summer Conference 2026 | The Art of Empathy - Storytelling in Mental Health

Event Information

Getting around the venue

Please click here to view a 3D tour of the venue to help you familiarise yourself with the layout. There is a cloakroom on the ground floor. Each floor can be accessed via one of our three lifts.

Parking

There is one disabled parking bay at the rear of the building in Yeoman's Yard, off Chamber Street which runs parallel to Prescot Street and can be accessed via Leman Street or Mansell Street. We understand that disability is not always simple and you will not need a Blue Badge to qualify to use our on-site parking space. This bay must be booked in advance by contacting your events manager or events administrator.

Toilets

Toilets can be found on all floors

  • Lower ground floor: we have four gender-neutral toilets, one with a parent-changing area. There is one accessible toilet with a shower
  • Ground floor - we have five gender neutral toilets and one accessible toilet
  • First floor - we have single sex toilets on this floor

Multi-faith room

This is located in the members lounge on the ground floor 

Quiet space

We will have a dedicated quiet room available at the College that you are welcome to use at any point during the conference.

Please do not use this room for private meetings, this space is intended to provide a calm environment for delegates who might need to remove themself from the busyness of Congress. If you require a private meeting space, please visit the help desk and we'll be able to tell what rooms are available.

Visual impairment

Please let the events team know if you require printed events materials and let them know in advance if you will be supported by a guide dog, assistance animal or emotional support animal.

Hearing impairment 

A hearing loop is available on request. Please contact your events manager or event administrator if you have any additional requirements.

The Art of Empathy is the 2026 annual in-person conference hosted by the Arts Special Interest Group. Our aim is to unite mental health professionals, artists and people with lived experience who are passionate about the intersections between the arts and mental health. Together we will explore how art can help us make sense of our inner worlds - and connect more deeply with others.

Stories shape how we understand ourselves, and each other. Celebrating the 2026 National Year of Reading, we invite participants to reflect on the transformative role of storytelling in shaping mental health. The conference is designed to be interactive, with presentations by speakers including Benji Waterhouse, Health:Pitch and Empathy Lab taking place alongside workshops and immersive performances.

TimeSession
9:00 - 9:30amRegistration 
9:30 - 9:45amIntroduction from ARTSIG Committee
9:45 - 10:30am

Keynote speech

Dr Benji Waterhouse (Author of the best-selling memoir You Don't Have To Be Mad to Work Here) 

10:30 - 10:55amBreak
10:55am - 12:10pmHealth:Pitch: Forward-thinking, award-winning opera and mental health initiative
12:10 - 1:05pmLunch
1:05 - 2:05pmCNWL arts therapists (workshops and presentations)
2:05 - 2:30pmBreak
2:30 - 3:30pmEmpathy Lab: The Power of Stories
3:30 - 3:55pmBreak
3:55 - 4:55pmPersonally Speaking: Ananta Dave with Ally Jaffee and panel
4:55 - 5:00pmClosing Remarks

 

Please read our terms and conditions before making your booking.

For further information, please contact:

Email: sigs@rcpsych.ac.uk

Contact Name: Gareth Griffiths

Event Location

Location: RCPsych, 21 Prescot Street, London, E1 8BB