EVENTS

South East Autism & Disability Resource Fair - Wexford

During May, we were invited to attend the South East Autism and Disability Resource Fair, alongside many other organisations providing information about their work. The fair took place in the Talbot Hotel in Wexford – and it was great to see, and meet, so many Sunflower wearers visiting our stand. 

We were able to share the history of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower with first time visitors, and of course talk about the progress we are making in Ireland to help support those living with hidden disabilities. It’s always good to chat about the volumes of Sunflower lanyards that people see day to day, and of course about the organisations that approach us and want to support people living with hidden disabilities. 

One of the great opportunities of these types of fairs is to meet some of the organisations that are already members. It was lovely to see that Cottage Autism Network, a Wexford based charity, had brought along their supplies of Sunflower wearables to hand out to visitors – and we made sure their supplies were topped up before they left! Also a shout out to Amy at ‘Little Kneaders’ – a sensory play Company for children and adults with additional needs - for organising the event.

Leinster House visit

The Hidden Disabilities Ireland team stand in front of Leinster House

FASD Ireland, who also distribute the Sunflower across Ireland and Northern Ireland, were invited to deliver a presentation about Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) to members of the Oireachtas in Dublin at a special “AV presentation”.

A number of Senators, Ministers, TD’s and Parliamentary Secretaries came along to find out more about the condition, and the work that FASD Ireland are doing to raise awareness, provide education and support people living with FASD. 

The presentation also included an overview of how the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower works, helping to increase awareness across the Oireachtas. This will ensure that government departments are aware of what the Sunflower means if they see someone wearing it. 

Sunflower Family Day – Strokestown Park

A Sunflower stand with packets of Sunflower seeds, Sunflower and shamrock cupcakes and hidden disabilities Sunflower wristbands and lanyards The team stood behind the Sunflower table top in an ornate pagoda. Kermit the frog is being held by the white woman in the middle of the group A sign that reads - the Pleasure Gardens

With so many beautiful places to visit in Ireland, and building on our collaboration over the past year with Shamrock Squad, we were inspired to trial our very first “Sunflower Family Day” working alongside Shamrock Squad, and inviting additional needs families of our Corporate Member Organisations in Ireland to join us. 

We were also delighted to announce Shamrock Squad as as our first Regional Partner in Ireland at this event. 

The Day was held at Strokestown Park in County Roscommon and we welcomed over 40 adults and 20 children with many differing needs to the event. Shamrock Squad worked hard to find a location with lots to do, always remembering accessibility and inclusion. There was a walk that had been planned and mapped for everyone, a quiet zone for families that needed it, and also lots of games and activities to keep the youngsters occupied and give parents/carers a rest! 

Volunteers from Roscommon Volunteer Centre were available to support everyone attending, while the teams from Shamrock Squad and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower welcomed everyone and took part in some of the activities – including handing out some amazing cupcakes decorated with Sunflowers and Shamrocks of course, from Bonbonierre.

This was such a successful event that we plan on doing more in the future – get in touch if you would like us to organise an event near you! [email protected] 

Decathlon Ireland accessibility walk

Our team also attended a fully accessible walk organised by Decathlon Dublin along Bray Seafront supporting the MS Society ‘May 50km’ at the end of May. It was an opportunity to ‘walk, shimmy, shake and roll’ from the Bray Promenade to the start of Bray Head. 

Staff from Decathlon also attended the walk in their spare time, and it was great to hear from them about their experiences of supporting shoppers in Decathlon stores who may have an invisible disability, and how they have been working to become more inclusive. You can find out more about Decathlon events on their Eventbrite page, and we will be bringing you news of Decathlon’s launch of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in the next edition. Find out more below.

 

New Member Organisations in Ireland

Each month we welcome new member organisations who have joined us, and this month is no exception. We are delighted to welcome:

Pillo Hotel

A sensory room at the Pillo hotel. Filled with lots of colourful, different textured items

Pillo Hotel  – The Pillo Hotel located in Ashbourne, County Meath, have been developing their experience and accommodation to be as inclusive as possible. The Hotel offers the opportunity for those with sensory needs to be fully catered for when they visit. The Hotel is closest in proximity to Emerald Park (the new name for what was Tayto Park) and really understand the need to provide a fully inclusive experience for all guests. With a sensory playroom and a sensory bedroom available, we are delighted to welcome them onboard and to support them to develop their inclusivity. They also offer amazing family deals for Emerald Park – another organisation that are doing great things for those with hidden disabilities. The Pillo Hotel can be contacted at 01 835 0800

GoBus.ie

A go bus. It is blue and white. Behind it is a yellow and blue city link bus

Last year we welcomed Irish CityLink to the Sunflower family, and since then they have acquired GoBus.ie making them the largest private land transport company in Ireland. Following the acquisition we were delighted to be able to arrange for GoBus to join the Sunflower. 

Sunflower wearers who travel with both Irish Citylink or GoBus.ie can now be assured of understanding, support or a little extra time – ensuring a relaxed experience when travelling on their routes. 

Decathlon Ireland

A decathlon store. A glass fronted building.

Already in Dublin and Belfast, Decathlon recently opened their Limerick City store, and as part of that celebration, Decathlon became members of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. 

Decathlon's main mission is to make sport accessible to as many people as they can. They would like to help, inspire and guide everyone through their sports experiences. Decathlon believe that being active and discovering new sports every day is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

Our team have been working with Decathlon at a number of events, including accessible walks, for some time, and we are delighted to have them onboard to ensure that Sunflower wearers can visit Decathlon stores knowing they will be looked after. 

Variety Ireland – the children’s charity joins the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Variety – the Children’s Charity, one of Ireland’s largest and oldest charities announced the launch of their partnership with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower at the spectacular Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. 

Variety Ireland provides direct help to children and young people throughout the 32 counties of Ireland up to their 19th birthday, who are living with illness, disability or financial disadvantage. The Charity will step in where statutory healthcare, support and funding ends to ensure that children have the support they need to reach their potential and thrive, regardless of their health, mobility, abilities and economic background.

Working together, Variety and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower want to raise awareness of non-visible disabilities amongst children in Ireland. It is really important to recognise that there are well over 1,200 different non-visible disabilities, and not all of these originate from birth. Some are acquired as children grow and develop and others are as a result of illness or injury. Variety Ireland recognises all types of disability, so it was really important to the team at Variety to partner with an organisation sharing their inclusive values. 

Derek O’Neill, CEO of Variety Ireland said: “We at Variety are delighted to be the first children’s charity in Ireland joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. As a volunteer run charity with over 70 years’ experience in providing assistance and help to children from right across the disability spectrum, we feel the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is an easy and un-intrusive approach in helping children with disabilities who may need that little bit of extra help and assistance as they go about their daily lives. We are really happy to have the support of Minister Anne Rabbitte today here at the Cliffs of Moher, as we announce this new partnership. Especially given the Minister’s own true understanding in recognising and genuinely wanting to help improve the lives of children with disabilities, and their families.

With many years experience of providing support and assistance to those with disabilities, it feels a very natural fit for Variety Children’s Charity to become the first Children’s Charity to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in Ireland.”

Paul White, CEO – Hidden Disabilities Sunflower said: “It is great to be back in County Clare and once again enjoying such fantastic hospitality and a spectacular view! I am very pleased to welcome Variety Children’s Charity to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. We know that children and their families who are helped by Variety staff and volunteers are given the best support and opportunities to overcome some of the challenges they face. Variety is the largest Children’s Charity in Ireland and we are keen to work together to ensure that children with all types of non-visible disabilities can wear the Sunflower and will be assured of a helping hand, understanding or a little extra time wherever they are.”