#SaferToBeMe Conference Venue and Useful Information
We have compiled a handy list of questions and answers for you to check out before you attend the conference. Please read the list below, as this should help you out. The conference location can be found at the map at the bottom of the page, which contains the website link with the full address details and postcode of the building.
If your question is not answered here, please contact safertobeme@reportout.org
#SaferToBeMe Venue and Conference
Questions and Answers
Travel
I am driving to the location. Is there parking on site?
Parking is available at the Academy for Sport and is operated on a first come, first served basis. There are car parks which are free and you don’t need to display a permit or ticket. Please park in the car park behind the venue (car park three), as the car park outside of the main entrance will have our food village at lunchtime and we need to use this space. There is space for 75 cars in car park three.
I am getting public transport to the location. How can I get there?
The nearest Metro station to the Academy for Sport is Gateshead Stadium; it’s about a 10 minute walk. Bus routes from across the region go into Gateshead Interchange (Stand B) and it’s then just a short bus ride on the 93 Loop bus to our Academy for Sport.
I am getting a taxi to the venue. How can I get there?
The address of the venue is at the bottom of this page. We recommend using Uber to get to the venue, or a local taxi company such as Blueline.
Tickets and registration
Do I need to book a ticket if I am a volunteer, akeynote speaker, a session speaker, sponsor, or a panel member?
Yes you do, but we will provide you with a ticket code to get your ticket for free, which will be emailed to you.
Does my ticket cover both days? Do you provide reduced ticket prices and bulk ticket reductions?
Yes it covers access for both days. Sadly, we cannot provide reduced or bulk ticket reductions. The ticket prices cover the costs of the Summit itself and so we cannot offer reductions in ticket prices. We believe that the £30 is a reasonable amount (£15 per day) and have aimed to get the total amount as low as possible, which is significantly lower than other conferences of this type.
Do I need to bring ID?
We will check at registration that your ticket name matches the name on our list - if it does not, you may be refused entry. You do not need to bring ID if a U.K. national - we recommend that if you are a foreign national, you carry ID in line with U.K. guidelines for visiting the U.K.
What time should I arrive on both days and where do I register?
We highly recommend arriving on both days between 8am - 9am, no later. The conference will be a prompt start on both days. You can register your attendance at the main reception desk in the main entrance.
Can I refund my ticket or give it to somebody else instead?
We want to maintain security at the venue and so you cannot give your named ticket to somebody else to use - they will not be allowed admission. You can refund your ticket within 14 days as a 'cooling off' period, but after that point, tickets are not refundable in line with our Refunds Policy which is visible when you booked your ticket.
Accessibility, refreshments and facilities
Is the venue disability friendly?
Yes, the venue is fully inclusive and has access points for all. We have captured any additional access needs upon booking your ticket (such as whether you need a carer with you or a signer) and where possible (and able to do so) we will try to fulfil your requests. There are lifts to the first floor and we have left 15 minutes between most sessions for people to move around the building. You can read Gateshead College's Disability Statement here.
Are the toilets gender neutral?
We will have inclusive gender neutral toilets at the venue. They will be marked 'toilets with urinals' and 'toilets with cubicles.'
Is lunch provided?
We will have a food village made up of outside stall vendors where you can buy lunch during the afternoon lunch break at your own cost (please note that whilst we have tried to book vendors to cater to various dietary needs, we cannot promise to be able to account for all of them, or to allergy requests). We are not supplying food directly. If you wish to bring your own packed lunch, please do, there will be spaces to eat at the venue in the Main Hall and breakout spaces.
Is tea and coffee provided?
Yes, we supply have tea, coffee, water, sugar and different types of milk (cows milk, oat milk, etc.) on the day. These will be self-service during break and lunch times.
Is there a media centre for the press and where can I grab a good selfie?
For press, we will have a long branded media wall for media interviews, photographs, and any form of filming. This is a prime spot for a selfie when it is not being used by conference attendees. This will be in the Main Hall.
Is there a quiet space?
Yes, there is a breakout space on the first floor for people to take a breather or to simply rest and find a quiet spot.
I have forgotten which breakout sessions I have signed up for when I booked my ticket - how will I know?
We have a list of all of the breakout sessions for each person. Once you register at the desk at reception, you will be given your list of talks and room numbers. Breakout sessions in the classrooms are expected to fill quickly as they only hold 25 people per session, so if you have signed up to one please attend it, as by going to another session you could be depriving somebody else of a chance to see it. After breakout sessions have filled up upon people buying tickets, all other people will be in the Main Hall for the talks there, where we have compiled an excellent programme based around out theme of power, politics, and populism. So, if you miss out on breakout sessions in the classrooms, you are still not missing out, as you will have a programme of sessions in the Main Room which will run throughout the day.
Is there free WIFI onsite?
Yes, there is a guest WIFI onsite and upon registration, we will give you the password for it. For video calls or downloading heavy files, we suggest you look for a personal data plan on a SIM (or an e-SIM) card. Most of them are sold at airports, but please verify whether your mobile phone is compatible with any of them before your purchase.
Is there an ATM on site?
There is no ATM on the site itself. You will be able to make payments at any stalls or food vendors, via card or cash. However, card payment tends to be the most popular option. We recommend that you bring your card and any money to cover you, should you need it.
Will the sessions at the conference be translated into other languages?
English will be the language of the conference. This is due to budget restraints on our part and regrettably, we cannot offer other language translations.
Other questions
What will the weather be like so I know what clothes to pack and wear?
The weather in late October, in Northern England, is usually cold, wet, rainy and windy - but not always! The weather can be changeable. We recommend you take a look at this website for temperature averages (check the section for Newcastle, Northern England). We certainly recommend bringing a warm coat, good shoes or boots, and an umbrella and to download the free BBC Weather app, to check your daily forecast.
Can I get discounts for hotels as an attendee?
Yes you can! As part of our Advocacy Fund, and thanks to our hotel partner, Maldron Newcastle, we can offer you 15% discount code for the week of the Summit, if booked directly via their website. Please click here to discover more.
Will photographs be taken at the conference and will be parts of it be filmed?
Yes, we will have professional photographers at the conference, and filming will be taking place. Should you not wish to be on camera, or appear in photographs, we will be offering stickers to wear when you register at the conference, so you will not be filmed and our photographers can avoid taking photographs of you. Please note that photographs and any filming of the event may be used for publicity during and after the event, so if you do not want to appear in it, please wear a sticker prominently.
I am coming from another country to attend this conference. Do you supply a VISA support letter?
Firstly, check the U.K. government's website and take the quiz to see if you need a U.K. VISA. We also recommend that you read the U.K government's VISA information on how to apply for a VISA.
We can also supply you with a VISA support letter to cover the week of the #SaferToBeMe Summit. Should you need personalised dates to match your trip stated on this letter, then please contact us at safertobeme@reportout.org - please note, that you will have to have obtained a ticket for the conference first, so we can confirm this and supply you with a letter.