Hundreds of coloured umbrellas form massive shopping centre showpiece.
Milton Keynes will this weekend become a beacon for neurodiversity awareness with the launch of ‘The Umbrella Project’, the largest art installation of its kind in the UK.
Featuring nearly 400 suspended coloured umbrellas, the installation will launch with an opening ceremony on Saturday 15th March at The Boulevard in Midsummer Place shopping centre.
There will be presentations from 10am, followed by performances, activities, a neurodiversity marketplace to discover all the local support available and displays throughout the day from 11am until 5pm.
The project has been created by local leaders Jane Lambert, Jerry Taylor, Amanda Wright, Adam Moore, Sarah Sweet-Rowley, Sammy King, Lisa Hathway, Jill Farnsworth, Sue Pardy, Gamiel Yafai and Jon Manning.
It’s supported by headline sponsor Midsummer Place, Red Bull Technology and Perfectly Autistic, Kuehne+Nagel, Liz Male Consulting Ltd and many other local businesses, organisations and individuals, to deliver a stunning display of colourful umbrellas that span the width and breadth of Midsummer Place’s Boulevard, more than over 43 metres long and 20 metres wide.
“We are excited to bring this fantastic installation to Midsummer Place and to truly highlight the importance of recognising the importance of neurodiversity in a universal art piece,” said Jane Lambert, Project Manager, CEO Makewell Clinic.
“An umbrella provides protection, much like the neurodiversity movement advocates for acceptance, understanding, and inclusion. It signifies creating safe spaces for everyone, regardless of neurological differences. We invite people to visit the centre, experience The Umbrella Project and learn about the neurodivergent community around them. We want to educate, advocate and celebrate.”
The use of umbrellas in various colours symbolise the wide spectrum of neurodivergent experiences, such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia. Each umbrella represents a unique way of thinking, learning, and interacting with the world. As such, The Umbrella Project is designed to position Milton Keynes as a city that backs the wider social movement towards more understanding, acceptance and celebration of neurodiversity.
At its heart, The Umbrella Project aims to address this disparity by changing the narrative, challenging misconceptions and promoting a more inclusive society.
The project's location at Midsummer Place provides a prominent and visually stunning space for the 6-month display. This powerful initiative comes at a critical time: while 96% of employers recognise the benefits of a neurodiversity-affirming workplace, 1 in 5 autistic individuals in the UK remain unemployed. It equates to over 55,000 people in Milton Keynes alone. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for greater acceptance and more inclusive practises.
