The Trafford Centre has signed up to the sunflower lanyard scheme that supports people with autism and other hidden disabilities.
The scheme involves people wearing a sunflower lanyard to highlight to staff that they might be in need of extra help.
It's something that's been around for a while at Manchester Airport and has made its way into supermarkets including Tesco and Sainsbury's, but now intu Trafford Centre has become one of the first shopping centres in the UK to back the scheme.
People with invisible conditions, such as autism and dementia, can collect and wear a lanyard from the mall's customer service desks to signal that they may need more support during their visit.
It will act as a discreet sign to staff that the wearer could require help or a little more time with things like finding their way around a centre or store and getting access to a quiet space or close-by toilet facilities.
Demand for the initiative has soared since it was first introduced by Gatwick Airport, with more than 10,000 sunflower lanyards collected from there following its launch three years ago.
intu has worked with Gatwick Airport to roll out the scheme at its shopping and leisure destinations across the UK and has also introduced a sunflower dog lead sleeve that will allow staff to easily recognise and support anyone bringing the animal into an intu centre.
It is one of a number of measures to create more accessible shopping and leisure experiences and has been introduced ahead of Purple Tuesday on November 12 - a day devoted to the needs of disabled shoppers.
Free sensory backpacks, which contain a number of different items to help autistic children enjoy their shopping experience, are also available to hire from the customer service desk from this month. A £20 refundable deposit is required.
Designed by parents of autistic children, the bags include ear defenders, egg timers, sunglasses, fidget toys and an autism friendly guides to the centre.
Alison Niven, centre director at intu Trafford Centre, said: “We want to ensure that intu Trafford Centre is an accessible and inclusive destination for everyone. Nobody should feel excluded.
“The measures we are introducing will help every visitor to feel welcome to enjoy a fantastic experience at the centre.”
Mum Charley Ann said: “Having two children on the autistic spectrum and attempting shopping is difficult for many reasons.
"They may act in a way that seems strange to others, but the lanyard may help them understand why. It’s also great for staff members to identify that we may need extra assistance.”
We how parents were calling on more supermarkets and businesses to join the scheme.
Debbie Waldron, whose four-year-old son Ishaan Asghar has autism and sensory needs, has now set up a lanyard awareness Facebook group to raise the profile of the scheme and encourage businesses to get involved.
intu Trafford Centre also runs regular quiet hours every Wednesday from 10am to 11am and its staff are trained to support people with autism and dementia.
