Venue and accessibility guide

The 2025 RCPsych International Congress will be taking place at the ICC Wales

Address

There are several options when travelling to this year's Congress.

Make sure you check the most sustainable option for you by using our useful travel tracker through YouSmartThing - https://travel.yousmartthing.com/international_congress_2025

Train

Bus

Car

A charge is applicable for parking onsite (charges also apply to blue badge holders). Please see rates below

Plane

We will be running a coach service at various intervals throughout the Congress to help make your journey to the venue as smooth as possible.

The coaches will be running from the following locations at the following times

Route 1 - Train station loop

This route will be running from Newport train station to the ICC Wales and back.

Route 2 - Hotel loop

This route will be running from two of the local hotels, Coldra Court and Ty Newport, to the ICC Wales and back.

We will also be facilitating a walking bus, for those of you who'd like to stretch your legs in the morning. Look out for our members of staff at both Coldra Court and Ty Newport, who will be able to guide you up to the venue. The walk takes around 15 minutes in total.

The ICC Wales is split between three levels. You can find a detailed information below about what you can find on each floor.

Level 0 – this is where you will find the lower level of the main auditorium, the exhibition hall, Congress catering  poster presentations, the registration area, quiet room and a breakout space

Level 1 – this is where you will find the majority of the breakout spaces, the SAS Doctors Lounge, Students and Resident Doctors Lounge, parent and baby room, the speaker preview room, the entrance to the outside area and Congress fringe rooms

Level 2 – this is where you will find the Congress lounge which will be used for Congress Fringe activities throughout the event

You can also find a virtual tour of the venue on the ICC Wales website

There is just one main entrance to the ICC Wales. This will bring you into the Atrium where the registration desks are located. The entrance has automated sliding doors. During an event these doors are staffed with security who can offer assistance if required

You can view a virtual tour of the entire venue on the ICC website.

• If you are being dropped off by taxi or car, the ICC benefits from a reserved drop-off area where taxis and cars can park temporarily, directly outside the venue’s entrance. There is no kerb between the drop-off point and the main entrance to the venue

• There are 20 disabled car parking spaces in the ICC Wales carpark. There is step free access from the carpark to the main antrium via a lift

• The cloakroom and concierge desks are also located in the Atrium. The concierge desk is the main reception point for the building and also an information point providing local information including taxi bookings. The main taxi provider for the area is Veezu, which can be booked by phone or using their app

• Fully accessible toilets for men and women are located on every level. There is also a Changing Places toilet located on the ground floor with a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench and a tracking hoist system. There is adequate space in the changing area for the person who needs it and up to two carers and a centrally placed toilet with room either side.

• All areas of the venue can be reached by lift. All lifts have spoken messages indicating which floor the lift is on and whether the doors are opening or closing

• An effective concierge service, as well as prominent signage and lighting, ensure smooth navigation of the venue. In spite of the building’s size, it is highly-functional yet welcoming. A helpful team of staff is on-hand to assist with navigational and accessibility needs
  

• In the Auditorium (main auditorium tiered seating) there are up to 25 designated spaces for wheelchair users and carers on the lower level and up to six on the upper tier. These spaces can be used for assistance dogs. The designated spaces offer clear sight lines of the stage. In the breakout rooms, where possible, we will also ensure that there is spaced out seating providing enough room for wheelchair users and carers to sit

• For those with hearing impairments the main auditorium operates a Sennheiser Infra Red Hearing system that broadcasts the audio signal from the event into the seating area of the auditorium. You will need to use a headset which is available free of charge for the duration of your visit, and either use it to listen directly or tie in your own hearing aid to help hear the presentation. Please visit the Concierge  desk in the atrium on arrival to obtain a headset for direct listening, or neck loop for hearing aid use

The Congress venue welcomes delegates with assistance dogs. Please ensure that your assistance dog is clearly identifiable when entering the building to ensure that our stewards are aware of their presence.

We have marked on the venue map the areas that are likely to be the nosiest during the event. You can view maps of the individual levels in the venue guide above.

If you have auditory sensitivity you are very welcome to bring your noise cancelling headphones to wear around the Congress.

The main catering points for the Congress will be in the Main Hall on Level 0 (the Exhibition area).

Some lunch time sessions may have food provided in the room. Please check the programme for these sessions.

We will also have a plain food station.

Tea and coffee will be provided during the morning and afternoon breaks and a fork buffet lunch will be served during the lunch hour.

Please see menu options below

Monday: Quinoa salad with roasted butternut squash, garden peas, peppers and rocket (VG); Bombay potato salad with pumpkin, dried cranberry and chilli dressing (VG); Macaroni, edamame bean and broccoli salad with sundried tomatoes and honey sour cream (V); Grilled lemon shawarma with pickled vegetables, chilli tomato dressing, flatbread (VG); Spiced garlic and herb roasted salmon with lemon mayonnaise; Thai green vegetable curry with broccoli, pak choi, aubergine, pumpkin (VG); Thai green chicken curry with vegetables; Braised mixed wild, brown and basmati rice (VG); Chocolate brownie (VG); Raspberry baked cheesecake (V)

Plain food station: Quinoa salad with roasted butternut squash and rocket; Steamed potato with mayonnaise; Macaroni, edamame bean and broccoli salad; Platter of Roasted salmon; Plain chicken breast; Plain rice; Steamed Broccoli; Fresh fruit salad with strawberries and blueberries; Plant- based Chocolate brownie

Tuesday: Chopped garden salad with balsamic, Welsh rapeseed oil dressing (VG); Tandoori spiced pasta salad with roasted corn and coriander (VG); Moroccan beetroot and carrot salad with mint and apricots, curried chickpeas (VG); Vegetable crudités with beetroot houmous (VG); Tandoori chicken with mango and coriander, Welsh yoghurt raita; Vegetable paella with courgettes, herbs and garlic, flavoured with saffron and paprika (VG); Honey and garlic baked salmon with pepper and bean jambalaya; Moroccan style roasted vegetables (VG); Fresh fruit salad with strawberries and blueberries (VG); Lemon drizzle finger 

Plain food station: Chopped garden salad; Tomato Pasta salad with herbs; Beetroot and carrot salad; Vegetable crudités with houmous; Roast chicken platter; Beef meatballs in tomato sauce; Plant-based meatball in tomato sauce; Pain Spaghetti; Fresh fruit salad with strawberries and blueberries; Lemon drizzle finger

Wednesday: Old fashioned potato salad with celery, mustard and spring onion (VG); Mediterranean vegetable and couscous salad with cumin and mint (VG); Sweet pepper panzanella salad with burrata, heirloom tomato and kale (V); Platter of tomato and marinated mozzarella with herb pesto (V); Dill poached salmon with lemon and cucumber, herb Greek yoghurt; Baked veggie balls with spinach, olives, basil and tomatoes (VG); Baked chicken Cacciatore cooked with tomatoes, bell peppers, black olives and basil; Steamed leeks, roasted rosemary baby potatoes (VG); Wild berry slice (VG); Salted caramel opera cake (VG)

Plain food station: Potato salad with spring onion; Coleslaw; Tomato and red onion salad; Platter of tomato and marinated mozzarella; Poached salmon; Baked chicken; Plain noodles; Jacket potato; Beans; Wild berry slice; Salted caramel opera cake

Thursday: Smoked corn and rocket pasta with lime sour cream (V); Greek salad with spinach, black olives and feta, Welsh rapeseed oil (V); Roasted garlic and courgette pesto pasta salad (VG); Roasted Mediterranean vegetables with herb dressing (V); Chargrilled lemon and herb chicken breast with pickled red cabbage; Sweet potato, spiced cauliflower and chickpeas cooked in sofrito (VG); Roasted cod with cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes, spinach and oregano; Lemon jumbo couscous with roasted vegetables and kale (VG); Fresh fruit platter (VG); Chocolate and caramel tart (V)

Plain food station: Pasta with tuna; Greek salad with feta; Caesar salad; Roasted Mediterranean vegetables; Grilled chicken breast; Local sausage with mash potato; Stuffed sweet potato; Plain rice; Fresh fruit platter; Chocolate and caramel tart

All chicken and fish options are suitable for the halal diet. 

The ICC Wales do not permit any food not from the venue to be brought in without permission. If you need to bring your own food with you, please contact our Congress Manager, Katie Newton, katie.newton@rcpsych.ac.uk, so we can arrange this with the venue.

All food and beverages will be served using china to reduce the level of waste produced by the event. We would also like to encourage you to bring your own water bottles and keep cups to use throughout the Congress.

If you have any dietary requirements when at the venue if you let a member of the catering team aware, they will be happy to assist you.

This year we will be working with a company called SpeakSee to provide closed captioning in each of the keynote and parallel sessions.

The captions will either appear on the main screen or be provided on a smaller screen to the side of the stage.

You can also use a web browser version of the service, which will be provided through a QR code in the room you are in.

The web browser version will also enable you to translate the presentation into a language of your choice.

This is the first time we are using this service and any feedback you have is very welcome to help us improve in the future.

The captioning is an automated service and while every effort has been made to ensure it is accurate, there may be some inconsistencies. Please bear this in mind when using and/or referring to the captions.

There is no formal dress code for the International Congress. We encourage all delegates to wear whatever they feel most comfortable in, whether that’s business attire, casual wear, national dress, or clothing that meets specific sensory needs. Please attend in a way that best supports your wellbeing and participation.

We appreciate all forms of feedback to help us improve our event in the future.

There are several ways you can do this

• You can provide feedback for each of the sessions through the Congress App, by clicking on the session within the programme
• You can come and visit us on the Help Desk and let us know your feedback in person
• You can complete our feedback form, the link to which you can find in the Congress App
• Or feel free to send us an email at congress@rcpsych.ac.uk

We will have gender neutral toilets available at the venue.

These will be located on Level 0, along the corridor to the Main Hall.

There is just one main entrance to the ICC Wales. This will bring you into the Atrium where the registration desks are located. The entrance has automated sliding doors. During an event these doors are staffed with security who can offer assistance if required

You can view a virtual tour of the entire venue on the ICC website.

• If you are being dropped off by taxi or car, the ICC benefits from a reserved drop-off area where taxis and cars can park temporarily, directly outside the venue’s entrance. There is no kerb between the drop-off point and the main entrance to the venue

• There are 20 disabled car parking spaces in the ICC Wales carpark. There is step free access from the carpark to the main antrium via a lift

• The cloakroom and concierge desks are also located in the Atrium. The concierge desk is the main reception point for the building and also an information point providing local information including taxi bookings. The main taxi provider for the area is Veezu, which can be booked by phone or using their app

• Fully accessible toilets for men and women are located on every level. There is also a Changing Places toilet located on the ground floor with a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench and a tracking hoist system. There is adequate space in the changing area for the person who needs it and up to two carers and a centrally placed toilet with room either side.

• All areas of the venue can be reached by lift. All lifts have spoken messages indicating which floor the lift is on and whether the doors are opening or closing

• An effective concierge service, as well as prominent signage and lighting, ensure smooth navigation of the venue. In spite of the building’s size, it is highly-functional yet welcoming. A helpful team of staff is on-hand to assist with navigational and accessibility needs
  

• In the Auditorium (main auditorium tiered seating) there are up to 25 designated spaces for wheelchair users and carers on the lower level and up to six on the upper tier. These spaces can be used for assistance dogs. The designated spaces offer clear sight lines of the stage. In the breakout rooms, where possible, we will also ensure that there is spaced out seating providing enough room for wheelchair users and carers to sit

• For those with hearing impairments the main auditorium operates a Sennheiser Infra Red Hearing system that broadcasts the audio signal from the event into the seating area of the auditorium. You will need to use a headset which is available free of charge for the duration of your visit, and either use it to listen directly or tie in your own hearing aid to help hear the presentation. Please visit the Concierge  desk in the atrium on arrival to obtain a headset for direct listening, or neck loop for hearing aid use

In the registration area we will have a dedicated help desk open throughout the Congress.

Come to see us if you need anything and we will be happy to help. You can also visit this desk if you have any accessibility queries.

The prayer room can be found in Meeting Room 7, on Level 0.

We will have a dedicated quiet room available in Meeting Room 8 on Level 0, that you are welcome to use at any point during the Congress.

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.

If you have any concerns on how the quiet room is being used you can find a number to message via WhatsApp in the Congress App.

We will also have a separate dedicated quiet room that we will be streaming each of the plenary lectures to. This will be in Meeting Room 3 on Level 1.

We would encourage you, if using this room, to use a sensitive applause. Please note however, that sound and applause from the main lecture theatre may be picked up through the stream.

The main registration times are as below

Sunday 22 June - 4.00pm - 7.00pm

Monday 23 June - 8.00am - 10.00am

Tuesday 24 June - 8.00am - 9.00am

Wednesday 25 June - 8.00am - 9.00am

Thursday 26 June - 8.00am - 9.00am

The registration desks will however be open throughout the Congress and you are welcome to collect your badge at any time.

To collect your badge you will simply need to enter your name in to one of the self service machines, print your badge and attach a lanyard. You will need to wear your badge at all times to gain access to any of the sessions, exhibition hall and catering. There will be a member of staff at the badge printers to assist you if required.

An image of the badge printers can be seen below

If you would prefer a quiet registration desk, staggered entry or more support collecting your badge please email our Congress Manager, Katie Newton (katie.newton@rcpsych.ac.uk)

We have a number of different sensory and fidget toys available from the Help Desk, for you to use as wish throughout the event. Please feel free to collect and use them at any time.

The programme sessions will be held in the following rooms:

• Keynote sessions – Main auditorium (streamed to the Meeting room 3 (quiet space) and Main hall P)
• Parallel sessions – Main auditorium, Main hall P, Meeting room 1, Meeting room 2 and Meeting room 3
• Rapid fire poster presentations – Main hall
• Congress cultural fringe – Meeting room 1, Meeting room 2, Meeting room 3, Main auditorium, Congress cafe, Congress lounge, Meeting room 4, Fringe stage, Outside area
• Students and resident doctors lounge – Plaza View Foyer on Level 1
• SAS doctors lounge - Meeting Room 4 on Level 1

For room locations please view the venue maps

• Level 0
• Level 1
• Level 2

Each keynote session will last for 30 minutes. There will not be a chance for Q&A during these sessions. 

If you would prefer to sit in a quiet space during the keynote sessions, we will be relaying the talks to a keynote overflow room. The dedicated quiet room to watch the keynotes is Meeting room 3 on Level 1. We will also be relaying the keynote presentations to Main hall P on Level 0, this room will have a more relaxed atmosphere.

Each of the parallel sessions will be 75 minutes in total. These sessions will typically consist of three presentations, each lasting 20 minutes with 15 minutes for Q&A. Some sessions may differ slightly.

We will be recording all sessions at the Congress, where we have speaker permission to do so. These recordings will be made available after the Congress has taken place. If you have purchased a whole Congress ticket, the recordings will be included in your ticket price. If you have purchased a day ticket(s) you will be entitled to a discounted rate for the recording package.

Fully accessible toilets for men and women are located on every level. There is also a Changing Places toilet located on the ground floor with a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench and a tracking hoist system. There is adequate space in the changing area for the person who needs it and up to two carers and a centrally placed toilet with room either side.

If you would like to discuss access at the venue, a requirement not listed here or any of the points above further please contact our Congress Manager, Katie Newton (katie.newton@rcpsych.ac.uk)