The Sunflower Lanyard Scheme was launched in 2016 in the UK to assist people with hidden disabilities and illnesses to indicate “discreetly that the wearer may need additional support” recognised globally by major airports and venues and in the UK by most supermarkets, railway, public transport, leisure facilities, the NHS, Police, Fire and Ambulance services. The lanyards have long been available on the internet, at the Hidden Disabilites website. 

However, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic these lanyards are now being used by people who simply don’t want to wear masks, people realised that by using these they would be allowed to walk around freely without being questioned in businesses without a face covering. Many have openly stated it is so that they cannot be “controlled” meaning, they don’t care about the wider population or the true meaning of this lanyard. People who do medically require these now don’t want to use them because they have been adulterated. The lanyards are available for purchase all over the internet.

I now call for the NHS and the UK government to do something for those who truly have hidden disabilities, and for those who truly do need assistance while in large public spaces etc and create a brand new scheme under the NHS for identifying people with a genuine need for awareness.