Meet our Sunflower Friends
Our Sunflower Friends are Sunflower wearers who are passionate about spreading the word about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and encouraging people to support everyone living with non-visible disabilities. They can be found in our communities, both physically and online, in the workplace, at leisure and in the everyday places we all visit.
They represent the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to promote the value the Sunflower has for those who choose to use it; to improve awareness about non-visible disabilities and access needs, and to encourage acceptance in the broader community - making the invisible visible.
Dan Bentley
“I want to be a Sunflower friend because the cause is close to my heart, I think the work the organisation does is brilliant and I plan to help raise awareness by incorporating the Sunflower at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where I am a player, and also encourage other football clubs to adopt the scheme and make it a football-wide recognised programme in the Premier League, EFL and beyond.”
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Laura Bentley
“I want to be a Sunflower Friend because I have a personal connection with the organisation, my daughter is a Sunflower wearer, she has an extremely rare genetic syndrome causing neurodevelopment and learning delay, so I know first hand how important it is for the wearer of the lanyard to feel comfortable and included.
I am passionate about inclusion and for everybody to get the support, help and empathy they need.
I plan to raise awareness with social activities, at the gym that I attend, the teams I play for at Netball. Spreading awareness through friends and family that don't know about the programme.”
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Barbara Breakwell
"I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2016 at the age of 60. Prior to diagnosis, I was a very active community member and so decided to share my diagnosis as I was unsure how it would impact my ability to organise and engage in local activities and events. Then I was questioned about my condition and why I was wearing a Sunflower lanyard. In August 2024, in collaboration with residents in my community involved in Dementia awareness we set out to raise awareness of the multitude of hidden/invisible disabilities and the symbolism of the Sunflower lanyard and wristband. Local businesses and organisations engaged wholeheartedly by displaying posters and artificial sunflowers. However, it soon became obvious that awareness was low. As a Sunflower Friend, I would revisit, via the numerous contacts I have, the awareness raising. This hopefully will ultimately ensure that anyone electing to wear a lanyard/wristband will receive the appropriate reaction to it.”
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Abbie Hills
"I am so excited to be a Sunflower Friend - I have cerebral palsy, which for me presents as non-visible - the Sunflower lanyard is a great talking point to get people thinking about the broad spectrum of disability".
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David Richmond
“I'm David, the voice behind @neurodadsdiary—a space where neurodivergence, parenting, and raw honesty meet through storytelling as both advocacy and therapy. Born in the fog of early fatherhood, the diary has grown from a personal outlet into a communal journal of micro-wins, sensory rituals, and unexpected tenderness. Through poetic reflections and practical guides—from sleep struggles to stim-friendly spaces—I invite others to feel seen, soothed, and supported.
My journey is shaped by love, loss, and the quiet echoes of my own neurodivergence. I believe storytelling is a ritual of repair—a way to honour both the mess and the magic. I want to be a Sunflower Friend because the symbol reflects the quiet courage of being visibly vulnerable in a world that often overlooks invisible needs. It’s a silent signal of solidarity, and joining this network feels like extending the diary beyond the page—into lived moments of recognition, care, and sensory safety.”
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Cassie Stone
“I want to become a Sunflower Friend because I believe travel and everyday life should be accessible, inclusive, and supportive for everyone. As someone who works in accessible travel, I see firsthand how important it is for people with non-visible disabilities to feel recognised, respected, and understood. The Sunflower symbol is such a powerful way to create that awareness and open up conversations that can make a huge difference to someone’s experience.
By becoming a Sunflower Friend, I can actively show my commitment to accessibility beyond my work, as an individual who wants to spread kindness and understanding. I plan to raise awareness by sharing the meaning of the Sunflower symbol in my community, both online and in person, helping others understand what it represents and why it matters. Through Sandy Stones Travel, I will continue to champion inclusive journeys and promote the Sunflower scheme to clients, partners, and fellow travellers.
For me, being a Sunflower Friend is about more than recognition, it’s about creating a world where non-visible disabilities are met with empathy and support.”
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Imogen Swain
"I want to be a Sunflower Friend because I have Autism, Dyslexia, ADHD, Auditory processing disorder, Adenomyosis and other invisible disabilities. I find it hard to communicate my needs, and love that the Sunflower is widely recognised, and it helps me everyday. I want to spread awareness for it as much as possible so more people can get the help that it provides.”
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