Leonard Cheshire wants a new name
Help Leonard Cheshire choose a new name
In a recent survey, discovered that there was only a 1 in 5 awareness of the charity amongst younger people. It has kickstarted a debate about a name change though the family of the man who set it up don't like it much.
The Telegraph the directors are keen to rebrand with a 'does what it says on the tin' name such as Disability UK. You have to agree that would be pretty genre-busting and rather a clever repositioning.
Some of the alternative suggestions mentioned in the telegraph article are a bit, um, well, I'm trying not to say crap. I'll run you through them with my thoughts added for clarity and with a genuine hope that LC might listen to what the monkey has to say today.
• Equability UK -- That's like equal and ability merged together and cleverly not having to say that awful word 'disability'? c'mon with yer Equability. It's not clever, it's just two perfectly good words mushed into something meaningless and apologetic. Test: can you imagine someone saying: "I'm running the Marathon for Equability?"
• A-BL UK -- Huh? Is this text message language? If so it's actually harder to tap into your phone than 'able uk' would be. A-BL? Sounds a bit like Kabul? And what's with this 'able' stuff anyway. Diss is more trendy than Able. I know it's about accentuating the positive but it makes me vom chunks. 'See the ability not the disability' my bottom.
• eQual UK -- equalness, equality, it's a good thing to promote but why bother dropping 'Leonard Cheshire' if you're going to rebrand with a name that still doesn't point at disability? Unless the Chesh crew are thinking of taking on a few race and gender issues too, that is? Watch this space for breaking news on that should it ever happen. And what does the capital Q bring? Or is that some kind of electronic Qual they're trying to flag?
By the way, Leonard Cheshire was a fella who, after the war, took a disabled bloke in and cared for him. News spread, probably a bit like when jesus was born in a manger, and people came to visit and be part of it. Ta da, a charity was born that created homes for disabled people - lights out at 8pm everyone, no talking. Good in their day perhaps but it is felt that things have largely moved on. You can betcha the directors are keen to disassociate themselves with that particular past and move forward in a new direction. So, yes, makes sense they'd want to drop the albatross - you have to stop yourself saying 'homes' after you hear the words Leonard and Cheshire in a row don't ya.
So, if you've got an alternative name for Leonard Cheshire, why not leave us a comment.
Comments
How about Leni Cheshire? They could rebrand it with a cute girl, a Leni character, nice and appealing.
what is wrong with the present name?
Most other disability charities who have changed their name probably did so because the previous one included a term which is now outdated and offensive to disabled people.
This doesn't apply here . Re-naming confuses people and should only be be done if the present name is now offensive.Why not keep the present name and append a word or phrase to it to ensure consistency.
It's a difficult one. I see that they want to move with the times and make themselves more relevant. But they run the risk of being too trendy too, of trying too hard. Not sure about 'Leni' though - the charity is named after a man, so if they are changing it they should change completely. But basically any money spent on this renaming and revamp is wasted and does not go to the people who the charity is supposed to be helping.
Mhadaidh. Try saying Leonard Cheshire" without thinking about homes and locking disabled people up, making them wake and go to bed at set times for their entire lives, no choices about food, going out, lifestyle, etc. I think Leonard Cheshire is a bad disability name that needs to be dropped. Adolf doesn't have the letters N A Z or I in it but ain't not many Germans given that name at birth any more because it's too tarnished.
Equability though, hahahahhahah, did they pay someone to come up with that? Experts, eh? Experts?
How about Lennin Chechnya?
point taken and accepted -
I take offence to your comparing Leonard to Hitler. Leonard's pursuit was globally noble as compared to the other fellows. Give us a break, in Canada the homes are referred to as a Cheshire Home and they are a good thing. They provide apartments and living situations for many people who would be in much worse situations without them. Why do we have to be so politically correct all of the time?
How about the PJ Brigade?
Geddit?
To Sue Blackford ... you asked why we have to be so politically correct all the time.
I find this a bizarre thing to say. So, um, suggesting disabled people shouldn't be locked up and have their choices and rights taken away from them is just political correctness?
And when you say 'political correctness', as with everyone else it's just a handy phrase to reach for making you seem superior and everyone else look weirdly petty somehow? You don't have a clue what you're talking about do you. Still nice to see someone from Canada chipping in.
Able UK is already in existance, it is a Shipbreakers on Teeside. Surely an unlikely choice -- who are these people who want to change everything? Do they never think they could be wrong?
Leonard Cheshire was also the British observer on the plane which dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima. Maybe the charity no longer want that association.
Leonard Cheshire was also the British observer on the plane which dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima. Maybe the charity no longer want that association.
As a volunteer worker in scotland for Leonard Cheshire i think it would be a insult to the family of Leonard Cheshire ,its not the changing of the name it needs it is more advertising and letting people know what we are about.it should be in all job centres,libraries ,schools anywhere people can find out about it.i tell people who i work for Leonard Cheshire Disability and explain about it and it means something but say A-BL UK or Equability UK and it means nothing
How about Leonard the Great or Leonard Cheshire the Hero?
Lets get real can you see the Bill Gates Foundation dropping our Bill from its name? No- nor can I- he built it up.
Spastics change to Scope was different because it was not about an individual. Although Scope always reminds me of Periscope. Scope though has subsequently got into financial difficulties therefore is this an endorsement for name change?
Leonard Cheshire was and will always be a great saint and a hero to many people.
As for young people not knowing who he is, I blame Blair for messing with the curriculum. Why are we so afraid to teach people about war heros and real history that shaped this country? A recent survey of London schoolchildren proves my point. When asked "what is the significance of Nelson's Column" They replied that they thought it had something to do with Nelson Mandela. It seems to me that someones out to readicate our history and heritage. Leave Leonard alone.
I agree that changing the name is unneccesary because there is no out dated terminology in it. I note that 'modern' titles seem to have initials (sound bites must be more catchy!) So, maybe something with LC in it and then a reference to the work done. "LC:Making a better life"? Or "LC:Removing barriers to living"?
Why should Leaonard Cheshire be dropped when he is the reason for starting it? More of this type of thing regarding voice pops 'out there' would help. Get people talking, rather than educate them!!!!! Tell them the facts along the way, whilst alking them for their thoughts!! Good effective PR is essential
They change the name of the Housing Association to "Ability", and I don't remember there being a problem then.
It seems strange to me that they want to change their name so that more younger people will know about them. How will changing a name achieve this. Surely you just need to promote yourself more. OR perhaps there are other reasons, perhaps those mentioned by others already. If as some people have suggested LC provided a poor service then maybe its the service that needs to change and not the name. A rose is still a rose....
How about Ripoff PLC? as they take 1200 quid a week for my Brother and He gets £20 a week after He has to pat £60 per week as a careCONTRIBUTION!. also charges 52p per mile travel costs, where you have a round trip and get charged for the Bus to come and get you EMPTY! not even Taxis do that! so a round trip of eg 6 miles costa you 12 miles! Its a crime.
they should be exposed
I work at a l/c home,and yes it may be expensive to live their but the standard of care is very very high.
I work at a l/c home,and yes it may be expensive to live their but the standard of care is very very high.