Recently, we’ve realised that we need to extend our vocabulary – and we hope you might help.
For years, we’ve used a shorthand to differentiate between the groups of individuals we train to speak and listen for better mental health.
Internally, we refer to the groups as P1, P2, P3 – and so on.
Horribly dull! And also not particularly helpful, because how are we supposed to remember the difference between P31, say, and P37?
So here’s what we’re thinking…
Do you remember when meteorologists started to refer to hurricanes and other great storms by name? Do you remember what a difference that made?
We’d like to do something like that. But what kind of names should we use?
Male or female names might cause confusion: our groups are usually mixed, and we don’t want to put men off joining a group with a woman’s name, or vice versa.
- What about plants? Or particular types of plants:
- Flowers?
- Trees?
- Or chemical elements, from the periodic table?
- Or how about streets in Islington, in recognition of the financial support we receive from Islington GPs, and the value of community in everything we do?
Perhaps you have a better idea.
Please leave a comment below. And when we’ve come up with a decent shortlist, perhaps then we’ll put it to a vote…
Trees. That way you remind us to plant trees and of the social, economic, and environmental benefits of trees. There is nothing like spending time in green space among trees to improve our wellbeing, which is what Talk for Health is all about. You could even introduce training in forests or parks which would be very therapeutic for participants. And trees are synonymous with Islington’s green spaces!
I like the notion of plant or tree based nomenclature. As a keen (recent) convert to the principles of Permaculture I am beginning to appreciate the multi faceted ways in which our environment encourages diversity and enriches the bounty it produces. Rizophagy concerns the work that takes place subsurface that connects and enriches the plants and other life forms that make up the healthy bio mass. After just my first taster session I am excited by the potential for growth evident in your program.
flowers trees and plants my favourite among the list above.
Gemstones, flowers, names of the stars.
Using something from the nature would be quite neutral. Those which are easy to pronounce and remember.
Names of flowers or gemstones could also provide a nice identity for each group and a picture of the particular flower could be used on the materials for that specific group or in the internal database for easier recognition.
To make further distinction you could for example use names of flowers for groups in Islington and stars for groups in Camden.