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

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

    Event Information

    Bookings for this event will close on Friday 24 July at 9am.

    We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

    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

    Who Cares? Notes from a Compassion-Fatigued (But Still Trying) NHS Psychiatrist

    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 - 12.10pm

    Health:Pitch: Driving Mental Health Awareness Creatively

    Forward-thinking, award-winning opera and mental health initiative

    Interactive session facilitated by Camilla Vickers (Health:Pitch) and Dr Jo O'Reilly (Chair of the Faculty of Medical Psychotherapy, RCPsych)

    Who is Health:Pitch?

    12.10 - 1.00pm

    Lunch

    Film (available to see) - 'Older Adults Arts Psychotherapies' by Dance Movement Psychotherapist Carol Jaffier

    1.00 - 1.15pmRelational Care
    Professor Subodh Dave, President, RCPsych
    1.15 - 2.15pm

    CNWL Arts Therapy Jamboree

    Erene Kaptani (Drama Therapist) - 'Storied Lives'

    NHS Partnership working with Creating Ground community service, a play and film based on the lived experiences and the impact of services on migrant mothers’ mental health

    Hannah Turner (Art Psychotherapist) and Aisling Haymes (Trainee Art Psychotherapist) - 'Storytelling and relational trauma: empathy and connection in Art Psychotherapy'

    Using art psychotherapy to support children who are looked after articulate and process the journey of the child as shaped by service

    2.15 - 2.30pmBreak
    2.30 - 3.30pm

    Empathy Lab: The Power of Stories 'Let's grow an empathy-educated generation, together' Interactive session

    Find out more about Empathy Lab

    3.30 - 3.55pmBreak
    3.55 - 4.55pm

    Personally Speaking: Ananta Dave with Ally Jaffee and panel

    In conversation and presenting about the new book Personally Speaking - Stories from Psychiatrists

    4.55 - 5pmClosing Remarks

    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.

    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