A place to take a break
The UK’s leading short break provider, Centre Parcs, has signed up to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, to support their staff and guests with non-visible disabilities.
As of Friday 1 July, Sunflower lanyards and pin badges are available free of charge to colleagues and guests at Center Parcs across all six of their villages (five located in the UK and one in Ireland) and at their head office in Nottinghamshire.
The Sunflower allows guests with non-visible disabilities to discreetly let colleagues know that they may need extra support, understanding or more time. Whether that’s adjusting an activity for them to join in, providing more information in a restaurant or meeting additional needs in the lodge – Center Parcs colleagues will go above and beyond to assist, so you can enjoy your break.
Guests and colleagues can collect a Sunflower lanyard or pin badge from Guest Services and at the below booking desks:
- Sherwood Forest – Jarden Des Sports Booking Desk
- Whinfell Forest – Sports Plaza Booking Desk
- Elveden Forest – Sports Plaza Booking Desk
- Woburn Forest – The Plaza Booking Desk
- Longleat Forest – The Plaza and Sports Plaza Booking Desks
- Longford Forest, Ireland – Sports Plaza Booking Desk
Steve Robinson, Deputy Village Director at Sherwood Forest, has coordinated the introduction of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. Steve explains:
“It’s important to us that everyone has a fantastic experience at Center Parcs and our colleagues go above and beyond to assist our guests who tell us they have disabilities; be that by giving them extra support when requested or adjusting an activity so they can take part. However, being part of the Sunflower network gives our guests a discreet way to let us know that they have a non-visible disability, which will help colleagues anticipate that they may need additional help or understanding. We are proud to be part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and hope our guests and colleagues make use of the lanyards and pins available.”
A place in the air
Turkish Airlines have become the third airline to officially recognise the Sunflower. The airline has added the Sunflower to its Accessible Travel application to improve the travel experience of its guests with disabilities and reduced mobility.
Within the scope of the airlines, "Differences Add Value" programme, the Sunflower helps both ground handling personnel and cabin crew identify passengers who have an invisible disability such as autism, dementia, anxiety disorder, visual and hearing impairments. Making it possible to allocate more time to passengers who may need special attention.
Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower said: “ We are pleased that Turkish Airlines has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower global network. Having achieved the success of providing our training to its 17,000 personnel, Turkish Airlines demonstrates its determination to make aviation accessible at a high level. Passengers with invisible disabilities are welcomed with the kindness, understanding and care of the Turkish Airlines family and can safely travel to 129 countries in the world.”
Sunflower lanyards can be obtained free of charge from the Special Service counters at Istanbul Airport Domestic and International terminals.
A place on the railway
We are thrilled to announce that Chiltern Railways has become the latest rail travel provider to join our Sunflower network.
Steve Scutt, Accessibility & Integrated Transport Manager said: "At Chiltern Railways, we recognise the barriers that people face with a non-visible disability and that’s why we have provided enhanced Disability Awareness Training to our Station Staff and Train Managers. We want our customers to be confident when travelling with us and we are proud to support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
There is a team of colleagues at our staffed stations who will provide assistance to customers when travelling, and this doesn’t just mean for people with reduced mobility, they will recognise the Sunflower, understanding that the person may need additional support or understanding. Our team will assist anyone who needs support or guidance when travelling with us."
A place to drive
BeAccessible Health & Wellbeing Network are delighted to announce that Bentley has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. This means that colleagues and visitors to their Crewe campus with a non-visible disability, can choose to wear a Sunflower to make their disability visible to those around them. Bentley have made both the lanyards and wristbands available to both colleagues and visitors to their Crewe campus.
A place for treatment
We are delighted to announce that Bury Care Organisation, which runs Fairfield General Hospital and community services, have joined the Sunflower network so that their patients, visitors and staff with a hidden disability can now make their disability more visible.
Owen Williams, Chief Executive, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, officially launched the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower at Fairfield General Hospital on 28 June. Owen said:
“This is a fantastic scheme that will have a huge impact on patients, visitors and staff at Bury Care Organisation. It is amazing to think that doing something as simple as wearing a Sunflower badge or wristband can make such a difference to your experience, be that in hospital or in a community clinic.”
Bury Care Organisation has introduced Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards, wristbands and badges for people to wear. These can be picked up at the main entrance or main outpatients and in the community at Sunnybank clinic. This means that those with a hidden disability can now make their disability visible to those around them while in hospital.
Sunflower information posters have been put up around the hospital and in clinical areas to raise awareness and show support.