Accessibility

At the British Pharmacological Society, we want to ensure that every attendee feels welcome and supported at our events. This page provides detailed information on the various accessibility features and services available at the Pharmacology 2024 conference. From parking and mobility assistance to sensory spaces and support for those with hidden disabilities, we are committed to meeting the needs of all our attendees. If you have any specific requirements or suggestions on how we can further enhance accessibility, please don't hesitate to get in touch via the details below. We are here to help make your experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Contact the BPS:

Telephone: 0207 239 0171 (if calling from outside the UK, dial: +44 207 239 0171)
Email: meetings@bps.ac.uk

Contact the Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC):

Telephone 01423 500 500 (if calling from outside the UK, dial: +44 207 239 0171)

Venue

The Pharmacology 2024 conference will be held at the Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC). The

Parking

Blue badge parking is available in Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC)'s underground car park with direct lift access to Entrance One of the Auditorium.

If you are using entrances Four (Hall M) or Five (Hall A), or Royal Hall, there are a small number of dedicated parking spaces in front of these venues. Otherwise, the most accessible car park is Jubilee Car Park, free for Blue Badge holders and nearer than the main HCC parking.

Venue stewards are on hand to provide more assistance.

Car park directory | North Yorkshire Council

Mobility Assistance

There are designated spaces for wheelchair users in both the Auditorium and Royal Hall with accessible toilets throughout the venue. If you need a walking frame, wheelchair, or mobility scooter and don’t want to bring your own, you may be able to hire from:

Yorkshire Care - 01423 799960
Shopmobility Harrogate - 01423 556778
Able to Enable - 01423 880882

Please let us know in advance if you wish to bring a guide dog so we can make sure your animal is catered for.

Accessible Toilets

There are accessible toilets throughout the venue.

Fixed-loop Hearing

There are fixed-loop hearing systems at our main reception desk and in the Auditorium, while Royal Hall is equipped with the latest infrared hearing system.

Hidden Disabilities

The venue is proud to be participating in the Sunflower Scheme, where patrons with hidden disabilities are able to be identified by members of staff and if required are offered additional assistance.

The conference wants to be a safe and happy place for everyone to enjoy. However, the size of the venue and the large crowds mixed in with all the different sounds, lights, smells and experiences can be overwhelming especially for attendees with mental health, emotional and sensory issues.

There will be a Sensory Calm Space at the conference. The aim of this space will be to provide a safe, low-level stimulation and recalibration zone for our neurodivergent conference attendees.

Parent and Child Space

Conference attendees are welcome to bring babies under 12 months of age into lectures, but we ask that babies are taken out of the room if they become unsettled.

Nursing mothers are welcome to breastfeed their babies anywhere in the conference venue but a private feeding room will be available for those who prefer it.

Multi-faith Room

A prayer room will be available on site throughout the entirety of the conference, this space will be clearly indicated across the event site and on the app. Please ask a member of staff if you require further assistance.

Chaperone

At the British Pharmacological Society our aim is to make all of our events as accessible as possible, we therefore will provide free event registration for any required chaperone's. Please contact the events team to discuss this further on meetings@bps.ac.uk

Care Support Bursary

BPS is committed to working with our members to create a vibrant and inclusive pharmacology community that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We want to support our members to be able to attend our meetings and events where this may be difficult due to caring responsibilities. As a member you can apply for a care support bursary if you have caring responsibilities that would otherwise stop you from attending a Society meeting. You can receive up to £200 to help cover caring costs to attend Society meetings and events. Applications for the Care Support Bursary can be made here.

How can we support you?

We are always looking for ways to improve our events, enabling all our members to access these. We therefore would like to hear your feedback for future events, if you have any requirements you believe we aren't catering to we would like to hear these. Please contact us on meetings@bps.ac.uk

British Pharmacological Society
The Schild Plot, 16 Angel Gate, City Road,
London, EC1V 2PT, United Kingdom
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7239 0171