Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme

After a successful pilot, we are going to roll out the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme across SCRA.

In the UK, 1 in 5 people have a disability, 80%  have a hidden disability. Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to people including staff, colleagues and panel members that the person wearing it (or someone with them) has a hidden disability and may need additional support, help or more time. 

SCRA’s Disability Group worked with our Glasgow Locality to pilot the scheme in their Hearings centre. The scheme involved publicising the scheme throughout the Hearings centre, providing awareness raising training to staff and making the Hidden Disability Sunflower lanyards available.

The pilot ran from the beginning of August to the end of September and had positive feedback from staff and panel members.

Here’s a selection of quotes from our colleagues…

“I think this is excellent, it means we can anticipate who may need assistance in Reception. It means people with a hidden disability feel included, respected and are treated with dignity and will feel secure and confident in the knowledge the sunflower scheme is very much part of SCRA.”

“I think it’s a really good idea as it encourages individuals to be more thoughtful and accommodating. Using the scheme will hopefully help individuals who struggle to ask for help, get the support that they need and ordinarily would not have asked for.”

You can find out more about the scheme in general on their website. If you are interested in finding out more about the scheme in SCRA or any of our work around disabilities, please contact Collette Gallagher.