Dame Tracey Emin Leads TfL Campaign Supporting Passengers With Hidden Disabilities

Artist Dame Tracey Emin is fronting a new Transport for London campaign encouraging passengers to offer their seats to people living with non-visible disabilities and health conditions while travelling across the capital.

As part of TfL’s annual Priority Seating Week, the Turner Prize-nominated artist has recorded special announcements that will be played across London Underground and bus stations to raise awareness of hidden disabilities and the importance of small acts of kindness on public transport.

Dame Tracey, who underwent life-saving surgery after being diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2020 and now lives with a stoma bag, said she understands firsthand how physically difficult standing on public transport can be for some people.

“Any one of us can have a health condition or disability, and because many of these don’t have outward cues, that might mean people miss out on things that would really help them, like getting a seat on public transport,” she said.

“If you’re out and about in London, please do offer your seat if you don’t need it yourself – you never know what a difference you could make.”

The campaign announcements are being broadcast at ten central London Underground stations, including Bank, Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street, as well as at bus stations across the network until 17 May.

Raising Awareness Around Hidden Conditions

TfL’s Priority Seating Week, now in its eighth year, is designed to highlight the challenges faced by people whose disabilities or health conditions may not be immediately visible to others.

The initiative includes awareness events across the network alongside the rollout of additional accessibility signage, including stickers on Docklands Light Railway (DLR) train doors to better identify priority seating and accessible spaces.

Staff at selected Elizabeth line stations — including Ealing Broadway, Ilford, Paddington, Romford and Woolwich — are also distributing “Please Offer Me A Seat”, “Baby on Board” and “Babies on Board” badges to passengers who may benefit from additional support while travelling.

“A Small Act of Kindness”

Giovanni Cinque, Campaigns Manager at Colostomy UK, said public transport can be particularly challenging for people living with conditions that are not immediately obvious to others.

“Difficulties on public transport are not always visible but can be distressing,” he said.

“A small act of kindness like offering a seat can have a significant impact.”

TfL says the campaign forms part of its wider commitment to improving accessibility and inclusivity across London’s transport network.

Emma Strain, TfL’s Customer Director, said passengers should remain mindful that many disabilities cannot be recognised simply by appearance.

“Disabilities and health conditions can affect anyone and vary from person to person, impacting people in ways we might not expect — and in many cases you simply can’t tell someone has one just from their appearance,” she said.

“Londoners can always be more mindful of people with disabilities when they travel.”

The campaign coincides with Dame Tracey Emin’s latest exhibition, A Second Life, currently on display at Tate Modern. The exhibition features the largest collection of her work ever shown publicly, spanning four decades of her career, including iconic pieces such as My Bed alongside previously unseen works.