centre:mk is leading the way with Purple Tuesday, the initiative which highlights challenges faced by disabled people in navigating public spaces and services.
Becoming the first shopping centre in the UK to train all retailers and staff on unseen disabilities.
This year’s initiatives follow 2024s success, when centre:mk was at the heart of city-wide efforts to make Milton Keynes the UK’s first accessible ‘Purple City’.
For 2025, centre:mk has announced it will deliver Unseen Aware Training to 100% of its staff and retailers. Between 70-80% of disabilities are unseen, so the news is important in improving accessibility for all.
“As someone with hearing loss, I know the day-to-day challenges of a hidden disability all too well,” said Unseen Aware founder, Simon Houghton, “Unseen Aware aims to give staff the confidence to approach and interact with others who have a hidden disability, so it’s hugely encouraging to see centre:mk delivering this vital training across its entire staff and retailers.”
Unseen Aware enhances centre:mk’s existing unseen disabilities training, including dementia awareness and basic sign language. The centre now also has 17 Mental Health First Aiders and operates a sunflower lanyard scheme.
It also launched its first sensory room in 2024, offers mobility scooter and wheelchair hire free of charge, has a Changing places toilet and a hearing loop in the guest services lounge.
“centre:mk is already an incredibly accessible centre, all on one level with excellent facilities,” said Kim Priest, head of marketing at centre:mk, “Our 'Open to All' commitment is the delivery of an inclusive, welcoming environment to everyone, all year round and that is at the heart of the training we have delivered with Unseen Aware,” she added.
“We are the first shopping centre to have 100% completion by our retailers and staff, bringing us another step closer to achieving our vision of creating the first 'Purple City' in collaboration with MyMK and other businesses across the city centre.”
