Hidden Disabilities Sunflower 🌻

Not all disabilities are visible. The Sunflower is a simple way for people with non-visible disabilities to discreetly share that they may need a little extra time, understanding or support in public spaces. You might see someone wearing a Sunflower lanyard, badge or bracelet, now you know what it means. Let’s help more people recognise the Sunflower. Learn more about Hidden Disabilities Sunflower by visiting the 👉 website https://bit.ly/3JVe0b7 #HiddenDisabilities #SunflowerLanyard #DisabilityAwareness #InclusionMatters #NotAllDisabilitiesAreVisible #WearTheSunflower ALT: Green graphic with yellow Sunflowers and lanyards on. There is an image of a Sunflower card. Text: Look out for the Sunflower.

Paul White from Hidden Disabilities Sunflower 🌻 joined Julian Horsler on the National Highways stand today at Birmingham's NEC, England. It provided the opportunity to brief Simon Lightwood MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of the Department for Transport, on our partnership. Together we are making travel on England's motorways and A-roads safer for disabled drivers and passengers. The Traffic Officers undergo bespoke Sunflower training to understand what non-visible disabilities are and how to appropriately interact with any car displaying the Sunflower on the rear of their vehicle. Our partnership is enhancing the safety of road users and providing Traffic Officers with a tool to offer additional support when they arrive on the scene, as they are aware that someone in the car has a disability and can manage that situation accordingly. For example, if a passenger is hard of hearing, shouting at them to exit the vehicle and move onto the bank will not work. Drivers can obtain a free Sunflower sticker or car magnet from our website to give confidence that if required, Traffic Officers will offer the occupants of the car understanding, patience and kindness in what might be a very stressful situation. We plan to work with Highway agencies in other regions to support Sunflower wearers' end-to-end journeys. #AccessibleTravel #BSL #SunflowerLanyard #Motorway ALT: Photo of the blue National Highways stand with bright yellow Sunflowers on. Text: Access Guides for All motorway services, A commitment to make roads inclusive and accessible, British Sign Language help via SignLive

🎙️ Subscribe to The Sunflower Conversations podcast to listen to the following episodes to learn more about mental health from the Sunflower community: https://bit.ly/373paXZ * Mental Health with Mental Health Matters * Cerebral Palsy and Mental Health with Eva Abley * Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and mental health with Chloe Francis * Tourette's Syndrome and Mental Health with Joshua Fletcher * Cerebral Palsy, learning difficulties, and anxiety with Bryony Moss * Anxiety and Depression with Maddie White #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD #MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma #SelfCare #AccessToMentalHealth #SunflowerLanyard #DisabilityAndInclusion ALT: Green graphic with a yellow Sunflower and a speech bubble illustration that says The Sunflower Conversations podcast.

🌟 📢 NEW The Sunflower Conversations podcast – Mental Health with Kelly Winstanley, Mental Health Matters Mental Health Matters Content warning: In this episode, we are talking about the topic of mental health and refer to self-harm and suicide. If any of the conversation causes you distress and you need to speak to someone, please consider contacting a family member or friend for additional support. However, if you need professional help, please contact NHS 111 option 2 (in the UK) or your region’s emergency response number, or a healthcare practitioner. Kelly Winstanley, the National Clinical Lead from the charity Mental Health Matters, joins us on this episode to explain the difference between mental wellbeing and poor mental health. At some point, everyone will experience poor mental health, which is why it is so important to talk about it to reduce the associated shame and stigma. Kelly provides us with some indicators to look out for, enabling us to spot changes early, seek help, and respond with calm, practical steps. 🎙️ Listen to the full episode on The Sunflower Conversation podcast here https://bit.ly/4gWwY0u Make your Sunflower Extra card and personalise the support you require https://bit.ly/4hQlBpn If you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and share. 🌻 #MentalHealthAwareness #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealth #SunflowerLanyard #BeSeenWithSunflower #HiddenDisabilitie #SunflowerConversations #Podcast

World Mental Health Day Making the invisible visible. 🌻 Good health must include mental health. The World Health Organisation is campaigning for people affected by a humanitarian crisis whose lives have been completely displaced and are experiencing extreme trauma should have access to the mental health support they need. What we learn in the media, whether it's global issues or concerns closer to home, can have a significant impact on our mental well-being. On a community level, mental health issues might be affecting a neighbour, relative, friend, colleague, or yourself. Steps to protect your mental health include: being aware of when to take a break from the news, staying connected, being physically active, and maintaining routines. Engage in meaningful and enjoyable activities. Seek support from healthcare practitioners and recognised mental health charities: Samaritans Call 116 123 Mental Health Foundation Mind Text SHOUT 85258 🎙️ Subscribe to The Sunflower Conversations podcast to listen to the following episodes to learn more about mental health from the Sunflower community: https://bit.ly/373paXZ * Mental Health with Mental Health Matters * Cerebral Palsy and Mental Health with Eva Abley * Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and mental health with Chloe Francis * Tourette's Syndrome and Mental Health with Joshua Fletcher * Cerebral Palsy, learning difficulties, and anxiety with Bryony Moss * Anxiety and Depression with Maddie White #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD #MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma #SelfCare #AccessToMentalHealth #SunflowerLanyard #DisabilityAndInclusion ALT: Green graphic with yellow Sunflowers and a green Sunflower lanyard. Text: World Mental Health Day

🎙️ Learn more about stomas and ostomies from Sunflower wearers on the Sunflower Conversations podcast * Living with an Ostomy, with Keely Cat-Wells and Nate Hadlock, United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA), Inc , https://bit.ly/4gnuPKL * Bowel cancer, LARS syndrome and stoma with Amanda Strother, https://bit.ly/46l76Yl * Bowel and lung cancer, stoma and dialysis with Gemma Savory, https://bit.ly/3OzHYUnore Available on all podcast platforms. #InvisibleDisabilities #DisabilityRights #MyAccessMatters #OstomyAwareness #WOD2025 #WorldOstomy2025 #Ostomy #WordOstmyDay #Stoma #SunflowerLanyard #BeSeenWithSunflower #HiddenDisabilities ALT: 1. Photo of Nat and Keely 2. Photo of Amanda 3. Photo of Gemma

🌟 📢 NEW The Sunflower Conversations podcast – Ostomy with Nate Hadlock and Keely Cat-Well, UOAA “… having to use a disabled restroom is usually something that I need to do, and I've been accused so many times of taking advantage of a system or faking a disability or and I've been verbally abused, I've even been physically abused for using a disabled restroom and it's been, it's been really horrible. So having a lanyard that is becoming more and more recognized, especially in places like airports, has been incredibly beneficial and for me too, like I have other complications with my health and sometimes I'll use a mobility aid, sometimes I won't. It depends on my symptoms.” Millions worldwide live with ostomies yet face discrimination when using accessible toilets. Listen to real stories about how ostomies save lives and why we need to break the stigma surrounding them. The perception that young people aren't affected, and the importance of open conversations towards building a more empathetic and accepting society. This is a powerful and enlightening conversation with United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA), Inc champions on living life to the fullest. From swimming and exercise to intimate relationships, hear myth-busting truths about what's possible. Listen to the full episode on The Sunflower Conversation podcast here https://bit.ly/4gnuPKL If you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and share. 🌻 #OstomyAwareness #WorldOstomyDay #WorldOstomyAwarenessDay #TheSunflowerConversations #Podcast #SunflowerLanyard

World Ostomy Day Making the invisible visible. 🌻 Ostomy is a surgical procedure that alters the way your body eliminates urine or stool due to a malfunction of the urinary or digestive system. The common myth is that only older people require this surgery, but in reality, that isn't true. Ostomates can and do live full lives, participating in sports, swimming, and enjoying loving relationships. Causes can include: - Diverticulitis - Congenital disabilities - Cancer - Bowel obstruction - Injury - Inflammatory Bowel Disease The Sunflower offers support and confidence, indicating to others that the wearer has a non-visible disability. There is a great deal to learn about ostomies. Discover more by visiting our website: - Invisible disabilities index - The Sunflower Conversations podcast 🎙️ We are proud to work with United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA), Inc to bring greater awareness. #InvisibleDisabilities #DisabilityRights #MyAccessMatters #OstomyAwareness #WOD2025 #WorldOstomy2025 #Ostomy #WordOstmyDay #Stoma #SunflowerLanyard #BeSeenWithSunflower #HiddenDisabilities ALT: A green graphic with yellow Sunflowers and a green Sunflower lanyard. Text: World Ostomy Day

🌟 📢 NEW The Sunflower Conversations podcast – Hearing Loss with Lidia Best, President of the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People “….actually, we all have different barriers, just different things. So, that's number one. Be open, and tell people what works for you. What works for me may not work for another person.” Lydia Best takes us through her personal journey from gradual hearing loss as a teenager to suddenly losing all remaining hearing as an adult. "For my children, it was like I had died," Lydia reveals, describing how the severing of communication impacted her entire family. 15% of any population experiences some form of hearing loss, yet most public spaces remain inaccessible. Lidia suggests simple solutions, such as captioning, that can bridge the gap. Whether you have hearing loss, know someone who does, or want to create more inclusive environments, this conversation will transform how you think about communication. Listen to the full episode on The Sunflower Conversation podcast here https://bit.ly/4grYHpt If you liked this episode, please subscribe, rate and share. 🌻 #HearingLoss #HOH #WorldDeafDay #HearingLossAwareness #TheSunflowerConversations #Podcast #SunflowerLanyard #Disability #DiversityAndInclusion

A big congratulations to England Rugby Roses on becoming World Cup Champions! 🏆🏉 The celebrations have been a joyful expression of teamwork and commitment. ⠀ Mackenzie Carson plays the position of loose head prop for the Roses and has been sharing her lived experience of ADHD and the journey she's had to get a late diagnosis. We were also happy to see Mackenzie wearing her Sunflower lanyard with the team. Strong role models like Mackenzie who choose to share their story really help neurodiverse individuals feel seen in a neurotypical world. #RugbyWorldCup #EnglandRoses #ADHD #RWC2025 #RedRoses ALT: Photo credit England Rugby. A photo of the England Roses Rugby team on the pitch celebrating becoming World Champions.