The Sunflower Project
The Sunflower Project is a bold initiative from TwinSpace to create the UK’s largest digital access and inclusion directory — starting with our home city of Sheffield. Inspired by the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and built for the future, we aim to give every person, regardless of ability, the power to explore public spaces with confidence and clarity.
Our Mission is Clear
This is a UK-wide movement to digitally map, document and surface accessibility and sensory information for every publicly accessible space — all in one place.
We combine immersive 3D virtual walkthroughs with accessibility tagging, sensory environment info, and venue-level guidance to help individuals plan their visit before stepping foot outside.
💡 A New Standard for UK Cities & Towns
We believe Sheffield can lead the UK in becoming the first city to be fully accessible through digital mapping. With council, public and private funding, we can make it a model for other cities. Beyond helping people today, this creates long-term infrastructure that supports tourism, education, emergency planning and community care.
🧠 Designed With Neurodiversity in Mind
Many public places still aren’t truly accessible. We’re changing that. Inspired by the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme, this project focuses on comfort, clarity and calm giving users the ability to explore spaces online before they arrive. From restaurants to libraries, we plan to offer a new level of control and comfort for everyone who needs it.
📚 Education, Tourism & Opportunity
The Sunflower Project’s directory of digital twins can be used in schools to teach history, in tourism to promote overlooked destinations, and by councils to boost local engagement. Imagine giving someone in New York the ability to explore a Sheffield museum, or helping a care home plan a group outing with full clarity. The ripple effect is enormous.
Building the UK’s largest digital access directory — one step, scan and city at a time.
The Plan:
City by City
We’re starting with Sheffield, aiming to make it the first digitally documented and accessible city in the UK. From cafés and galleries to schools and stadiums, we’re building a centralised, user-friendly database for:
♿️ Step-free access
🛗 Number of floors
🧠 The Sensory environment
🌐 Virtual walkthrough availability
🅿️ Parking and transport options
Each page will feature a clear "Know Before You Go" section designed to support people with physical disabilities, sensory needs, and neurodivergent visitors.
How You Can Help
The Sunflower Project is a funding-based initiative. We are offering our services at no cost to businesses, but rely on financial support from local councils, accessibility organisations, charitable foundations, and government bodies to help scale the project.
What we ask:
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Funding for expenses (scanning time, admin, hosting, etc.)
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Support for promoting the project city-wide
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Connection to key venues and access groups
What you get:
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A chance to be a fully digitally mapped city in the UK
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Inclusion in a national movement for digital accessibility
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Real, measurable progress on disability inclusion
How to Get Involved
Be part of a national movement to make public spaces more accessible, inclusive and visible for everyone. Whether you're a council, local business, charity, or individual supporter, there's a role for you in The Sunflower Project.
Sunflower Partner
For councils, BIDs, Universities and public sector bodies. As a Sunflower Partner, you'll be at the forefront of a movement redefining accessibility in the UK. This tier is designed for organisations who can help fund the mapping of entire neighbourhoods, districts or public facilities. By investing in digital documentation, you’re not just improving inclusion, you’re helping your town or city become a national leader in accessible infrastructure and digital transparency. Your support enables us to scan and build comprehensive virtual walkthroughs of high-footfall locations such as libraries, town halls, transport hubs, campuses and more. All mapped locations are added to the UK’s largest accessibility directory and featured in our national awareness campaign.
Community Champion
For charities, accessibility advocates, and neurodiversity groups. Community Champions play a vital role in ensuring that the voices of local people are heard and their needs met. This tier is perfect for those who want to collaborate on identifying important spaces in their community that should be mapped first. As a Champion, you’ll help us co-create sensory profiles, shape accessibility data, and build trust with your community through inclusive tech. Whether you're a local autism support group, a community centre, or a disability-focused organisation, we’ll work together to ensure the places that matter most to your members are visible and accessible before they even step inside.
Business Supporter
For businesses who want to improve accessibility and lead with transparency. Whether you're a hospitality venue, gallery, shop, stadium or workspace your business can lead the way in accessibility. By becoming a Business Supporter, you’ll fund your own digital walkthrough, have your space professionally scanned, and join the national Sunflower Directory. It’s more than just a 3D tour: it’s a commitment to transparency, customer care, and inclusion. With accessibility insights built directly into your page, customers will be able to see step-free routes, sensory environments, parking options and more, all before they arrive. It's a win for your guests, and a smart move for your brand.
Help Fund a Map
You don’t need to own a venue or manage a public space to make a difference. By contributing to The Sunflower Project, you can help fund the mapping of important community locations that might not otherwise be scanned, like a historic church, a beloved café, or a local school. Your donation supports the cost of our scanning professionals, hosting the virtual tours, and gathering accessibility data. Whether you're donating in memory, on behalf of a group, or just because you believe in our mission, your support goes directly towards making spaces more welcoming, visible and inclusive.
🌻 Sunflower Insights
Stories, research and progress from the front lines of accessibility.
