31. Better Care Before Death Group: Choosing our name, designing our logo

In The DAPPLE project, we work with a co-production group of people with a learning disability. The group works with us to understand what we are finding out from the research, and how to make it better. Together, we all want to improve the care people with a learning disability receive at the end of their life.

One of the first things we needed to do when starting the group was to choose a name and a logo.

What should We Call the Group?

It was hard to think of a name for the group. We asked the group first, “What should we be called?” It was difficult because we were starting from scratch. Everyone had different ideas. But then, someone in the group said the name should clearly say what The DAPPLE Project is about. That way, people will know what the project is about just by hearing the name. The group agreed with this.

After talking with the group, Jo, Fred, and I had a meeting to discuss the names. We had lots o words out on the table, but we didn’t want the name to be too long. It should be short and easy to remember. We also wanted the name to mention death or dying, because that is what this project is about.

We picked a name and took the idea back to the co-production group. The name we chose is The Better Care Before Death Group.

Introducing our logo

While Jo, Fred, and I were talking about the names, I picked up some paper and pens and started drawing a logo. I drew a rainbow because it made me think about hope, life, and death. Death can feel sad, like a cloud. But the rainbow is a symbol of hope, showing that better care before death is possible. I remember that after the Queen passed away, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky. It reminded me that even after someone dies, there is still hope for the people they leave behind.

Written by Richard Keagan-Bull, Research Assistant at Kingston University