At a recent customer engagement day at Barton Airfield, National Highways’ Traffic Officer Darren Nuttall and his team demonstrated how inclusion can be embedded in everyday public service.
The team joined representatives from emergency services, Blood Bikes, the military, and the RNLI for a family-friendly event focused on road safety, support services, and community education. Visitors explored vehicles, spoke with officers, and even dressed up in hi-vis gear, sparking conversations with children and adults alike about staying safe and being seen.
A key part of Darren’s role at the event was raising awareness of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, which National Highways proudly supports as a Sunflower member. Sunflower lanyards, vehicle stickers, and leaflets were shared with families and individuals, many of whom scanned QR codes to access free resources and request their own vehicle stickers.
"Our presence at the event highlighted our role, allowing customers the chance to find out more about the Traffic Officer Service and how we support hidden disabilities."
Making our roads safer and more inclusive
National Highways is a proud Sunflower member, and we’ve worked closely together to launch the National Highways Sunflower vehicle sticker and magnet, a free resource for personal road users across England.
These discreet Sunflower items help traffic officers recognise when someone in a vehicle may have a non-visible disability and might need extra time, support, or calm communication in the event of an incident or breakdown.
All National Highways traffic officers have received training to understand what the Sunflower symbol means and how to offer the right kind of support, whether that’s helping someone reach a place of safety, communicating clearly during a high-stress moment, or simply showing patience and kindness.
This awareness is also being shared more widely with emergency services and roadside assistance providers, helping to ensure that the Sunflower message travels beyond just National Highways' own teams.
How the Sunflower helps on the road
Displaying the Sunflower on a vehicle can:
- Let traffic officers know someone may need extra time or calm communication
- Support families with children who experience sensory challenges or anxiety
- Ensure adapted vehicles or medical needs are considered during recovery
- Prompt respectful, non-judgemental interactions when people need help most
Thanks to support from National Highways, Sunflower vehicle stickers and magnets are free to road users in England and can be ordered through our online store with the code ONTHEROAD.
Bring the Sunflower to your organisation
If your organisation is looking to make a meaningful difference for people with non-visible disabilities, becoming a Sunflower member is a great place to start.
As a member, you’ll be able to:
- Educate your teams with Sunflower training and resources
- Access tools to help customers, colleagues, and communities feel more supported
- Embed inclusion and empathy into everyday interactions
- Show your commitment to recognising non-visible disabilities across your workplace or service
Let’s make the invisible visible, together
Whether you're in transport, retail, education, healthcare, or public services, the Sunflower helps you make a real difference.