The University of Liverpool has today (Friday 14 July) unveiled a display of over 100 umbrellas on University Square as part of the nationwide Neurodiversity Umbrella Project, co-ordinated by the ADHD Foundation.
The Umbrella Project has previously been installed on Church Alley in Liverpool City Centre but, this summer, the University of Liverpool is hosting the only outside umbrella display across the city.
Neurodiversity is a term for the naturally occurring variations of the human brain which can affect the way people think, learn and process information. The ADHD Foundation estimates that 1 in 5 people are Neurodivergent in some way and if we were to apply this to the University community, this would equate to approximately 975 staff, and 3750 students.
As part of the Umbrella Project display there will be information and signposting to support both staff and students. A number of University staff have also provided insights into their own lived experience of being Neurodivergent. One staff member said:
“As a kid, I was referred to in a lot of different ways. Weird. Vivid imagination. Loner. Creative. A bit odd. Brilliant storyteller.
I don’t know what it’s like to see the world in a different way, because I’ve always just been me, but every time my writing makes someone smile or cry, or people tell me that one of my stories meant something to them, that makes all the negative things people might think about me worth it, and I wouldn’t change my wildly imaginative, creative, storytelling side for anything.”
Gillian Armstrong, Andrew Molloy and Freya Thomas (L to R). Gillian and Freya are Occupational Therapy Students who recently completed a placement with the disability and wellbeing advisor and were involved in collating statements from staff members.
The installation of the umbrellas has been led by Andrew Molloy, Head of Campus Support Services, in collaboration with colleagues from Facilities, Residential and Commercial Services (FRCS), Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Marketing and the Student Guild Officers across the University. He said: “I’m really pleased to see the Umbrella Project on campus once again. Though we’ve hosted the Umbrella Project previously, its great that this year University Square is the only location in the city to currently feature this important, colourful display.
“I’d like to thank Chris Jordan and Grace McShane for their hard work in getting the display up and running, without them this wouldn’t have been possible.”
“I hope that as many people as possible come up to campus to enjoy the display, which will be in place for the next few months. We’ve also got plans for smaller displays across a number of University buildings in the coming weeks so keep an eye out for those too!”
The ADHD Foundation is a charity which aims to advocate for and actively improve the life chances of those living with and impacted by ADHD, Autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia (DCD), Tourette’s syndrome, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and any related physical and psychological health concerns. Further information on the ADHD Foundation and the Umbrella Project can be found via the ADHD Foundation website.
University of Liverpool Staff can contact the Diversity & Equality Team for advice and support on reasonable adjustments equality@liverpool.ac.uk. Find out more information here.