Warriors are continuing their pioneering work to make Sixways a stadium that is accessible to all by introducing the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
The scheme has been successfully used at airports, leisure facilities, railway stations and major supermarkets since 2016 to help those with a hidden disability such as autism, chronic pain, dementia, anxiety or a visual or hearing impairment.
The Sunflower Lanyard discreetly indicates to staff, colleagues and other people that the wearer might need additional support or help.
“Sports Stadiums can be a daunting experience and we’re always looking at ways our staff can make Sixways more accessible and easier for people to access,” said Simon Northcott, Warriors’ Disability and Inclusion Lead.
“The sunflower symbol is the perfect way for spectators to discreetly identify themselves to our staff so we can do everything we can to make their matchday experience as smooth as possible.”
All Warriors matchday stewards have been trained to recognise the Sunflower Lanyard and to provide appropriate help and support where needed.
The scheme builds on Warriors’ existing work in making Sixways a stadium in which all supporters and visitors are welcome and supported.
Last year Warriors won the Dementia Friendly Organisation of the Year in the small to medium category at the National Dementia Friendly Awards.
Sixways has a matchday Safe Place in the International Suite and also hosts a weekly Tackling Dementia Sports Café on Wednesday morning. An Inclusive Café, which sells refreshments at Warriors home matches with all proceeds supporting the Tackling Dementia Sports Café, was opened this season.
The club also has more than 200 Dementia Friends including staff and Young Ambassadors, and runs Hugby – a form of rugby specially devised for people with visual impairments – sessions every Tuesday evening (6-7.30pm) and a Diabetes Academy also every Tuesday (4.30-6pm).
Sunflower Lanyards can be collected from the Sixways Ticket Office or at the Warriors Inclusive Café on matchdays.
The initiative is supported by RNIB and other charities including Alzheimer’s Society, The National Autistic Society and Action on Hearing Loss.