Watford Town Centre BID will be unveiling a colourful art installation known as “The Neurodiversity Umbrella Project” on 27 July 2024, raising awareness and celebrating all the different minds we have here in our community.
Queen’s Road will be home to the brand-new art installation
The uplifting art installation will adorn Queen’s Road from 27 July – 27 September 2024 and it will help to raise awareness and understanding of neurodiversity. Colourful umbrellas are strung together overhead with each display designed to represent the one in five of us who have a neurodevelopmental condition, such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia or Tourette’s syndrome.
Neurodiversity is a term used to describe the naturally occurring variations of the human brain – different human cognitive capabilities are expressed through unique talents, intelligence and the ability to think differently. The Neurodiversity Umbrella Project is an initiative introduced by the ADHD Foundation, the UK’s leading neurodiversity charity. Their mission is to create social change by working with agencies across all sectors to remove the cultural and systemic inequalities for neurodiverse people.
The art installation has been previously seen in Liverpool, Cardiff, Aberdeen and plenty of other cities, towns, schools and workplaces throughout the UK. This will be the very first time the art installation is seen in Hertfordshire, and Watford Town Centre BID have arranged a launch event to commemorate the occasion.
On Saturday 27 July from 10am, Watford Town Centre BID have organised for stilt walkers and professional dancers with colourful umbrellas to provide entertainment and performances on Queen’s Road, where the art installation will be officially opened to the public during a 45-minute event. The event and the installation will be around the corner from Metro Bank and the entrance to Atria Watford, outside of Shuropody and Finecraft Jewellery.
Kara Mesiano, Watford Town Centre BID’s manager, said: “Our aim is to change the perception of neurodiverse/neurodivergent people and celebrate all the many strengths that come from thinking differently in our town.
The vibrant art installation will provide a visually stunning backdrop to a great location within Watford Town Centre, but more importantly it will serve the purpose of raising awareness and educating the public on neurodiversity. A huge thank you must go to Watford Town Centre businesses for funding this project, many of which have relevant processes in place to welcome neurodivergent customers and staff members.”
Speakers from the local community will also be in attendance to mark the launch date including Debbie Wood, CEO of ADD-vance. The local charity, based in Hertfordshire, aims to support the families of children affected by ADHD and/or autism, and the professionals involved in their care.
Debbie Wood, ADD-vance CEO with extensive experience in Hertfordshire’s voluntary sectors, said: “As a local charity, ADD-vance is delighted to partner with Watford Town Centre to share our passion for neurodiversity. We are excited to be raising awareness of how thinking differently can be celebrated and embraced within families, workplaces and in our communities locally. The colourful Neurodiversity Umbrella Project helps to reflect the positives that embracing difference can bring.”
The Watford Town Centre BID team will be offering additional business support and training to local employers that may view hiring individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions to be a challenge rather than the great opportunity that it is. Watford Town Centre businesses will be provided with more information after the launch of The Neurodiversity Umbrella Project.
This brand-new installation is just one element of Watford Town Centre BID’s work to provide additionality above and beyond the services provided by local authorities. Visit www.watfordtowncentre.com and follow @WatfordTownCentre on social media to find out more about the range of projects and services provided by the BID team, funded by over 400 businesses that make up the Watford Town Centre area.