Eastside Rooms becomes first venue to achieve neuroinclusive accreditation
The Eastside Rooms has become the first venue to achieve Gold Certification under the Neuroinclusive Venue Accreditation.
The accreditation, developed by Welcome Brain Consulting, reflects a strong and proactive commitment to neuroinclusion, with measures that support a welcoming experience for every delegate from first enquiry to event delivery.
The accreditation acknowledges a sustained programme of work at the Birmingham venue.
The team has focused on clear information before people arrive, options that reduce anxiety during planning, and practical support while on-site.
This includes sensory considerate spaces where guests can decompress, flexible room layouts that limit sensory overload, plain language guides for the venue and the surrounding area, and training that builds staff confidence and awareness.
Neuroinclusion is now part of everyday operations at the venue. Processes have been reviewed so that inclusion is considered at each step, from proposal and contracting, event design and signage, to feedback and continuous improvement.
The result is a venue experience that is clearer, calmer, and easier to navigate, not only for neurodivergent attendees but for everyone.
Tim Sparrow, general manager at The Eastside Rooms, said: “We want every guest to feel comfortable, confident, and able to take part in their own way.
“Working toward this accreditation has helped us turn good intentions into everyday practice.
“We looked at the entire journey and focused on the moments that matter most. Clear information before people arrive; calm places to decompress; flexible room setups; sensory considerate lighting and sound; and above all, a team that understands why these details matter.
“Gold Certification is a proud moment for everyone at The Eastside Rooms, however, despite achieving the top award, we recognise that inclusion is a continuing journey. We will therefore keep listening, learning, and improving.”
The Welcome Brain Neuroinclusive Venue Accreditation forms part of a wider mission to make neuroinclusion a standard across the events industry.
The framework supports venues, organisers, and associations to adopt practical and dignity preserving approaches that reduce effort for attendees and create spaces where people can participate in a way that feels authentic.
Andy Williamson, founder of Welcome Brain Consulting added: “The Eastside Rooms has shown how a venue can lead by putting neuroinclusion at the heart of its culture.
“The team engaged with the detail, they mapped the delegate journey, and they made changes that are easy to use in real events.
“Gold Certification recognises both the progress made and the ongoing commitment to review, learn, and adapt. We hope this achievement encourages many more venues to follow.”
