London Liverpool Street station launches support for passengers with hidden disabilities

London Liverpool Street is the UK’s third busiest railway station and will now offer passengers with hidden disabilities a discreet way to ask for extra help while making their journeys.

Sunflower branded lanyards and ticket holders, which are entirely voluntary for anyone who would benefit from them, act as a subtle sign for station staff that additional support or help may be required. Network Rail employees at the station have been specially trained to understand what the sunflower stands for and how they can offer the right help to those passengers who need it.

The sunflower lanyards were first launched on 3 December 2019 at Manchester Piccadilly, London Euston, Liverpool Lime Street and Birmingham New Street, and are now being rolled out at other stations.

The initiative is supported by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and other charities including Alzheimer’s Society, The National Autistic Society and Action on Hearing Loss.

The types of hidden disabilities that are eligible for a sunflower lanyard include:

• Autism and Asperger’s
• Learning disabilities 
• Dementia
• Mobility issues (e.g arthritis, MS, ME, chronic illness)
• Visual or hearing impairments.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s Route Director for Anglia, said: “Travelling by rail for passengers with additional needs can be a daunting experience and we’re always looking at ways our staff can make it easier for people. The sunflower symbol is the perfect way for passengers to discreetly identify themselves to our staff so we can do everything we can to make their journeys as smooth as possible.”

The ticket holders have been uniquely made by Network Rail and allows for extra discretion should the person wish to only disclose when they need the help, rather than wearing a sunflower lanyard which is on show to everyone. Both items can now be picked up from the reception on platform 10 at Liverpool Street Station.