Highland line's Sunflower Lanyard scheme helps passengers with hidden disabilities
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London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is celebrating helping thousands of customers enjoy smoother journeys since it became the first UK train company to introduce Sunflower Lanyards.
In the scheme’s first year, the company, which brings travellers to and from the Highlands, says it has handed out more than 10,000 Sunflower Lanyards, as part of the ever-growing scheme that allows customers with hidden disabilities to let staff know discreetly that they might need some extra help.
LNER has also trained more than 50 colleagues to be sunflower ambassadors along the 936-mile East Coast route, who are able to help customers with hidden disabilities such as autism, dementia or a visual impairment.
The scheme has now been adopted by almost all other trains companies in the UK, having introduced the bright green, sunflower print lanyards and assistance cards at their stations.
The scheme, which successfully operates in major airports and supermarkets, has been endorsed by hidden disability charities.
It's estimated one in five people in the UK have a disability, 70 per cent of which are hidden disabilities.
Claire Ansley, LNER’s customer experience director said: “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do.
"We want to make it as easy as possible for people to travel with us and for customers to have the best possible experience.
"For people with hidden disabilities, it understandably can be an unnerving experience travelling on public transport. We’re delighted that there has been so much support for the Sunflower Lanyard scheme.
"We hope we can continue making journeys more comfortable for many more customers and wish to develop the scheme further to enhance their experience.”
