Yorkshire Building Society supports customers and colleagues with hidden disabilities

Yorkshire Building Society has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, showing its support for customers and colleagues with non-visible disabilities.

It is estimated that around 80% of disabilities are non-visible, including physical, mental, sensory and chronic conditions.

Branches and offices will display “We Support the Sunflower” stickers and colleagues have taken part in training. Colleagues with non-visible disabilities themselves can choose to wear a Sunflower lanyard or pin badge.

Wayne Measor, Director of Retail Distribution at Yorkshire Building Society, said: “At Yorkshire Building Society we are driven by our purpose to provide real help with real life, so it’s important that all our members and customers feel able to be themselves when interacting with us and in a manner that suits them.

“I am proud we are supporting the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower by providing training and visibility through our amazing colleagues.”

Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, said: “In the rapid acceleration of digital finance, it’s essential that the public can gain access to support on a local level as technology can present barriers to many people with non-visible disabilities. Yorkshire Building Society demonstrates that they put the customer and their colleagues at the heart of their strategy by becoming Sunflower-friendly. Sunflower wearers can access their finances, advice, and guidance when they visit branches with the confidence that they will be recognised and supported with extra time, understanding, and patience.”

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower was launched in 2016 to encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding for those with conditions that are not immediately obvious to others.

The Sunflower is a simple, discrete way people can choose to make their disability visible, and share that they might need more help, understanding or time.

The Society joining the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower has been championed by a colleague network tasked with making the organisation more accessible for customers, members and colleagues.