Skip to content

Display of 400 umbrellas highlights neurodiversity

Louise Parry
BBC News, Milton Keynes
Watford Town Centre BID A number of colourful open umbrellas hanging above a street with a blue sky behind, seen from below. They are in bold colours: red, blue, yellow and green with black handles. Watford Town Centre BID
The umbrella installation will be at a shopping centre in Milton Keynes for six months

Hundreds of brightly coloured umbrellas will be suspended above a city shopping centre for six months to raise awareness of neurodiversity.

The Umbrella Project is launching its latest installation in Milton Keynes on Saturday to symbolise "the wide spectrum of neurodivergent experiences", including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia.

Four hundred umbrellas - covering 860 sq m (2,821 sq ft) - will be on display at Midsummer Place, in Midsummer Boulevard.

"An umbrella provides protection, much like the neurodiversity movement advocates for acceptance, understanding, and inclusion," said Jane Lambert, one of the project leaders.

"We invite people to visit the centre, experience The Umbrella Project and learn about the neurodivergent community around them," she added.

Bekka Prideaux Bekka Prideaux headshot taken against a wooden fence, which is painted turquoise. She has brown/blonde hair in a bob and wears funky black glasses, and a blue blouse. She is smiling at the camera.Bekka Prideaux
Bekka Prideaux has dyslexia and hopes the The Umbrella Project will "build awareness and understanding"

One of the speakers at Saturday's day-long launch event, which begins at 10:00 GMT and includes talks and performances, is Bekka Prideaux, from Leighton Buzzard, who runs a business consultancy.

She said she wanted to join the MK Umbrella project "because I don't want other people to go through the negative experiences I did, especially at school and early in my career".

"I was asked to speak as I am a dyslexic thinker and this has been instrumental in my career success.

"As a child I was labelled 'stupid', as I was not able to read and write or do my times tables.

"I knew I saw the world differently and that there were things I found easy that others found hard.

"By learning to use my strengths, I have been able to solve complex business problems," said Ms Prideaux.

The Neurodiversity Umbrella Project A child in a white T-shirt and wearing a baseball cap looks up at a number of colourful umbrellas, which are suspended over a shopping streetThe Neurodiversity Umbrella Project
The project aims to "challenge misconceptions and promote a more inclusive society"

The project, run by the charity the ADHD Foundation, has previously visited Liverpool, Cardiff and Aberdeen.

It hoped "to position Milton Keynes as a city that backs the wider social movement towards more understanding, acceptance and celebration of neurodiversity".

Hester Grainger Headshot of Hester Grainger smiling and looking at the camera. She has green eyes and brown/blonde straight hair of shoulder length. She has a short-sleeved top with crinkly striped sleeves and a grey t-shirt.Hester Grainger
Hester Grainger will share her experiences of ADHD at Midsummer Place on Saturday

Hester Grainger, from Norfolk, is also speaking at Saturday's launch.

She runs a consultancy called Perfectly Autistic with her husband, Kelly. They both have ADHD and her husband is also autistic.

"Being officially diagnosed with ADHD in my forties and being mum to two autistic/ADHD teens, it will be great to connect with others who are on a similar journey.

"It can often feel isolating, whether you have ADHD or are autistic, or parenting neurodivergent children, so this fantastic event will be an amazing opportunity to come together and embrace the positives that being neurodivergent brings," said Ms Grainger.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
Related internet links