Venue and accessibility guide
We understand that attending large events can feel overwhelming, especially when you're unfamiliar with the venue. To help make your experience as smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable as possible, we've created this guide to the International Congress.
This page is designed especially with neurodivergent delegates in mind, offering detailed, practical information about the venue, facilities, and what to expect when you arrive.
If you have any questions or want to discuss any of the points below please contact our Congress Manager, Katie Newton via email or phone on 0208 618 4144.
Venue guide
The 2025 RCPsych International Congress will be taking place at the
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 -
Train
The closest station to the ICC Wales is Newport Train Station, which is 5.6 miles away.
We will be running a coach service from the train station to the Congress venue at regular intervals each morning and late afternoon. A full timetable can be found in the section below.
We are happy to confirm that GWR are able to offer exclusive discounts to delegates attending the Congress from most stations on the GWR network. Discounts are only available via the official GWR booking page (). Please note that tickets will only be made available 24 weeks in advance for weekday tickets and 12 weeks in advance for weekend tickets. You will be required to show confirmation of your conference booking alongside your ticket.
For more information on the rail network within the UK, please visit or ; a one-stop shop for train and coach travel.
Bus
Newport's main bus terminal is located in the city centre. Bus connections stretch right across the UK. For details of these routes please visit:
For information on local bus services throughout Newport visit
Local bus services will take you from Newport Bus Station to the ICC, with a five minute walk from the bus stop. You can pay for all bus journeys via contactless payment on board.
All Newport bus vehicles are fully accessible and comply with government requirements. All vehicles have a dedicated wheelchair space while most also have space for a buggy or pram.
The wheelchair spaces are designed to be suitable for a "standard reference wheelchair" which is no bigger than 700mm wide, 1200mm long and 1350mm high.
Please note only pre-approved class 2 mobility scooters are permitted on Newport buses. To find out how to get your mobility scooter pre-approved please contact our their head office on 01633 670563.
Car
The ICC Wales is located just off junction 24 on the M4. For directions from your home or office visit and input NP18 1DE for the destination postcode.
The venue has 700 spaces on site, including 14 disabled spaces and six electric charging points (there are two AC Type 2 charging points and four standard three pin domestic sockets).
A charge is applicable for parking onsite (charges also apply to blue badge holders). Please see rates below
| 0 – 1 hour | Complimentary |
| 1 – 5 hour | ?7 |
| 5 – 8 hours | ?12 |
| 8 – 12 hours | ?16 |
| 12 – 24 hours | ?20 |
You can also pre pay for your parking via the following link at a rate of ?7 per day -
If you are driving to the Congress please also consider car sharing with your colleagues.
Taxi
The ICC Wales benefits from having it's own private entrance and dedicated drop off area outside the venue where taxis and cars can park temporarily. There is no kerb between the drop off point and the main entrance to the venue. The main taxi provider for the area is , which can be booked by phone or using their app. You can also visit the Concierge desk in the atrium at the venue for further support booking a taxi.
Plane
The ICC Wales is conveniently accessible to a number of airports across the UK.
The closest airports are Cardiff Airport and Bristol Airport which have regular flights across Europe and worldwide.
For more information on which airlines and destinations connect to Cardiff visit and to Bristol visit .
You can get from Cardiff Airport to the ICC Wales via train to Cardiff Central and then connecting on to Newport, the journey takes approximately one hour. Similarly, from Bristol Airport you will need to catch the A1 Bristol Flyer from the Airport to Bristol Temple Meads Station and then change to a connecting train through to Newport. Once you have arrived in Newport, we will be running a coach service to the ICC Wales from the train station at regular intervals each morning and late afternoon.
You can also get a coach from Bristol Airport directly into Newport, this journey takes approximately 50 minutes. You can find out more information on the
You'll find official airport taxis at both airports at the taxi rank outside the terminal building (follow the signs within the airport).
Cycle
There are bike racks which can accommodate 20 bikes outside the ICC Wales. There are four National Cycle Network routes in Newport as well as a cycle path linking the city to Cardiff. More details can be found on the .
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.
| Date | Time | Intervals |
| Monday 23 June | 7.30am - 11.45am | Every 10 minutes |
| Monday 23 June | 4.40pm - 8.00pm | Every 20 minutes |
| Tuesday 24 June | 7.00am - 11.00am | Every 15 minutes |
| Tuesday 24 June | 4.10pm - 8.00pm | Every 20 minutes |
| Wednesday 25 June | 7.30am - 10.30am | Every 15 minutes |
| Wednesday 25 June | 3.30pm - 8.00pm | Every 20 minutes |
| Thursday 26 June | 7.30am - 10.30am | Every 15 minutes |
| Thursday 26 June | 1.15pm - 4.30pm | Every 20 minutes |
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.
| Date | Time | Intervals |
| Monday 23 June | 7.30am - 11.45am | Every 20 minutes |
| Monday 23 June | 4.40pm - 8.00pm | Every 20 minutes |
| Tuesday 24 June | 7.00am - 11.00am | Every 20 minutes |
| Tuesday 24 June | 4.10pm - 8.00pm | Every 20 minutes |
| Wednesday 25 June | 7.30am - 10.30am | Every 20 minutes |
| Wednesday 25 June | 3.30pm - 8.00pm | Every 20 minutes |
| Thursday 26 June | 7.30am - 11.00am | Every 20 minutes |
| Thursday 26 June | 1.15pm - 4.45pm | Every 20 minutes |
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
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
- 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 , 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
Accessibility information
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 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.
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, but 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
- 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 , 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
Please visit the Sound Enhancement desk in the atrium on arrival to obtain a headset for direct listening, or neck loop for hearing aid use.
We will also be providing closed captioning for all of the sessions in the main programme. You will be able to view the captions on the screen or use the web browser version on your mobile or tablet. If using the web browser version, you can also choose to translate the captions into your chosen language.
Please contact our Congress Manager, Katie Newton if you wish to discuss this further.
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.
We welcome breastfeeding anywhere at Congress but a private feeding room is available in Meeting Room 6 on Level 1 if preferred.
We will also have a dedicated room, Main Hall P on Level 0, live streaming each of the keynote sessions, that will be a more relaxed environment, so you may wish to sit in this room if your baby is unsettled, but you don't want to miss the plenary talks.
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)
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
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.