Helping Hand scheme

Photo of a hand holding a Helping Hand card reading 'Please call out my stop.'

Helping Hand is an award winning scheme empowering bus users to discreetly and directly advise of any assistance they may require. The card can be particularly helpful for customers with non-visible disabilities.

The yellow card holds a brief written instruction for the driver that can be shown upon boarding the bus. The driver is immediately made aware of the customer's needs or requirements without the customer having to verbally communicate it.

For more information, our customer service team are happy to help.
 

Illustration of a Helping Hand card reading 'Please wait until seated'

Please wait until seated

For the customer that may need time to find a seat in priority seating before the driver pulls away. This is very helpful for customers with hidden disabilities.
Illustration of a Helping Hand card reading 'Pushchair can't be folded.'

Pushchair can't be folded

This card is helpful for customers who have extra special requirements such as a pushchair with oxygen or other medical equipment being carried.
Illustration of a Helping Hand card reading 'I have epilepsy'

I have epilepsy

For passengers who may wish to discreetly advise a staff member of a medical condition; helping to make them feel more confident when travelling.
Illustration of a Helping Hand card reading 'Priority seating required.'

Priority seating required.

This card is particularly helpful for customers with hidden disabilities. This has helped to advise the driver, although some customers have also advised fellow travellers by using the card.
Illustration of a Helping Hand card reading 'Please call out my stop.'

Please call out my stop

For buses without audio and visual announcements, this card is really helpful for blind or visually impaired customers to be advised of their stop.

We provide further examples on our application form (which can be posted to you), although we will discuss with you personally your requirements, and create bespoke designs on request.

 

How to apply for a Helping Hand card

Applying is easy either:

Organisations that helped us create Helping Hand

Helping Hand was designed by those people who use the services provided by the charities listed below. We spoke to them directly. They influenced the final colour, overall design and - of course - the wording on the cards.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to the following organisations - without whom the award-winning Helping Hand would not exist.

Grace Eyre

grace-eyre.org

Action on Hearing Loss

actiononhearingloss.org.uk

Guide Dogs (Brighton & Maidstone)

guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/campaigning/talking-buses

Possability People

possabilitypeople.org.uk

 

The Helping Hand scheme is a Go-Ahead Group initiative and is administered for us by the Brighton & Hove Bus Company.