Mind Matters Initiative Research Symposium 2025 | The Eastside Rooms
Cultural Experiences
On Friday 10 October 2025, The RCVS will be celebrating 10 years of Mind Matters and are inviting all those interested in the field of veterinary mental health to get involved in our 2025 mental health research symposium –
Advancing veterinary mental health research: learning from the past, considering the present, and looking to the future.
Our symposium presents a fantastic opportunity for knowledge exchange in the veterinary mental health research sphere so that, together, we can continue to foster a compassionate environment and build a solid evidence-base for veterinary mental health research to grow and evolve.
Across the day, delegates will have the opportunity to hear from a range of speakers, with an opportunity to network with fellow colleagues and exhibitors.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided across the day.
Who should attend?
The symposium is open to all those with an interest in veterinary professionals mental health.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Veterinary surgeons
Registered veterinary nurses
Students (including veterinary students and student veterinary nurses)
Practice leaders, managers and receptionists
Academics, educators and researchers
Healthcare professionals and clinicians
Policy makers
Media and press
Mental health advocates and campaigners
Symposium ticketing - How do I book to attend?
The following rates will apply:
Early Bird Rate
(from May 2025 to End of August 2025) - £45.00pp
Standard Rate
(from 1 September 2025 to October 2025) - £75.00pp.
Concessionary rate
Students 18+ studying a full-time veterinary/mental health/psychology related course, and those who are currently unemployed or retired, may be entitled to a concessionary rate or free ticket. Those in these categories should email
symposium@rcvs.org.uk
for further information on how to apply.
Speakers and presenters:
Please note if you are the lead author and have been invited to present, you will receive instructions on how to register for your ticket.
Registration process:
When completing the Eventbrite form, you will be asked to complete a number of key details, including:
Your full name
Contact details
Your role, organisation (where applicable) and context
Accessibility and dietary requirements
Symposium Programme and Exhibition - What's on?
09:00 - 09:45am -
Registration, refreshments and welcome
10:00 - 10:15am -
Opening address
10:15 - 10:30am -
Marking 10 years of MMI -
Lizzie Lockett, RCVS Chief Executive Officer
10:30 - 10:50am -
MMI - what's new? -
Angharad Belcher, RCVS Director of Advancement of the Professions
10:50 - 10:55am -
Interactive session (to continue over coffee break)
10:55 - 10:30am -
Morning coffee break
11:30 - 12:55pm -
Research talks session one
12:55 - 1:55pm -
Lunch Break
1:55 - 3:15pm
- Research talks session two
3:15 - 3:50pm -
Afternoon coffee break
3:50 - 4:10pm -
Closing remarks
4:10 - 5:00pm -
Networking reception
5:00pm -
Event closes
There will be an opportunity to network throughout the day.
*
Please note event timings and programme content are subject to change.
Research Talks:
On the day, delegates will have the chance to hear from previous Mind Matters Mental Health Research Grant recipients on topics such as mental health in student veterinary nurse education in the UK, and alcohol use behaviours and barriers to help seeking within UK veterinary practice.
Other research topics include:
Organisational contributors and intervention strategies to address burnout in veterinary nurses.
Staff experiences of teaching neurodivergent veterinary students in clinical learning environments.
Confronting taken-for-granted truths – a systematic review of risk and protective factors associated with suicide risk in veterinary professionals.
“For three of my four miscarriages, I was at work”: Workplace management of UK veterinary professionals’ miscarriage, infertility and assisted fertility.
How does attendance at Schwartz Rounds impact veterinary professionals experience in clinical practice?
Nursing Matters: A mixed-methods study of workplace mental health in UK veterinary nurses and nursing students.
Our Exhibitors:
We are pleased to welcome a number of exhibitors to this year's symposium, including:
Blue Cross (Pet Loss Support)
British Horse Society (Friends at the End)
Cats Protection (Paws to Listen)
Change Mental Health
Farming Community Network
Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies)
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI)
StreetVet
The Links Group
Vetlife
VetSupport
Venue details:
Our fifth Research symposium takes place at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, UK.
The Eastside Rooms is a purpose built conference centre located in central Birmingham, opened with the aim of bringing leading events and international names to the region.
The full address for the event is:
The Eastside Rooms
2 Woodcock Street
Birmingham
B7 4BL
What 3 Words:
https://w3w.co/hammer.equal.dads
Access and facilities:
The venue has been chosen as it can provide:
Free and unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi access
Air conditioning
Cloakroom
Accessible toilets and lifts
Induction loop system
A quiet room will be available for those who may need some time to decompress
Catering for all special dietary requirements (you will be able to indicate this on booking)
Assistance dogs are also welcome at the venue (please just let us know in advance, so we can let the venue know).
Free blue badge parking at the Millennium Point NCP Car Park.
For further information, please visit the
Eastside Rooms website
.
Support and inclusion on the day:
On the day, for those that require support, there will be trained and certified Mental Health First Aiders.
A quiet room will also be available for those may need some time away to decompress.
Directions to Eastside Rooms
Travel
By Car
Near the Midlands motorway network with the M6, M42 and M5 in close proximity. M6 J6 is just two miles away
Millennium Point Multi-Storey Car Park (B4 7AP) is located across the road from The Eastside Rooms.
By Plane
Birmingham International Airport (9 miles away, approx. 20 to 30 minutes)
Manchester (78 miles away, approx. 1 hour 30 minutes)
Heathrow (115 miles away, approx. 2 hours)
By Bus/Taxi
West Midlands Bus Route 66, with a bus stop outside of the venue
A2B Radio Cars – Call 0121 744 1111
By Train
Birmingham New Street Station – Serviced by Cross Country, Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Rail, Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway (15 - minutes walk)
Birmingham Moor Street Station (10 - minute walk)
Snow Hill Station (10 - minute walk)
Accommodation and where to stay nearby:
Listed below are a number of hotels which are local to the venue. Please note the RCVS have not inspected their suitability for the event, they have been chosen because of their proximity of the venue.
Mariott Hotel
Premier Inn Birmingham City – Aston
Premier Inn Birmingham City Centre (Exchange Square)
Clayton Hotel
Travelodge Birmingham Central Moor Street
Holiday Inn Express
If you are thinking of staying for the weekend, you may like to find out what's on, by visiting the
Visit Birmingham website
.
FAQs
Can you reserve me a place and I book at a later date?
Sorry, we are unable to reserve places, tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Can I book on Eventbrite and pay via invoice?
Unfortunately we are unable to raise invoices for the associated costs. Payment must be made via Eventbrite at the time of booking.
What is the refund policy?
If you are unable to attend the Symposium please inform the RCVS by Friday, 26 September 2025 and we will refund the cost of the ticket.
Please contact the MMI team on symposium@rcvs.org.uk for further information.
Information Source: RCVS Mind Matters | eventbrite