KeyRing Neighbourhood Supported Living Networks are a successful model of social inclusion for people with disabilities, people with mental illnesses, and others in need of supported living

In exchange for free rent and utilities the Network Volunteer or Network Worker provides the group with support on a part-time or flexible basis. This arrangement enables KeyRing to build layers of support around the network members and with others in the neighbourhood.

KeyRing Neighbourhood Supported Living Networks were featured last month at the Natural Neighbourhoods Real Communities conference held at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre in Melbourne.

This was a national development and planning event for people interested in strategies such as KeyRing Supported Living Networks as a means of building strong neighbourhoods and real communities. It explored ways to build and extend these Networks around Australia.

Circles of Support/Circles of Security were another two strategies highlighted that endeavour to make social inclusion work for vulnerable children and families, young people in foster care, single young parents, and others struggling with social isolation, including working carers.

By building an intentional circle of support around a person, comprising friends, neighbours, family, shopkeepers, drivers and support workers, real connections and communities can be built.

The conference developed several initiatives for the national development and coordination of these strategies including:

• Street by street (neighbour to neighbour social support) on a national scale
• Circles of support/circles of security development and coordination
• KeyRing Neighbourhood Supported Living Networks
• Newcomers networks
• Social inclusion week
• Neighbourhood cultural exchange

The conference was hosted by the Centre for Civil Society, a public policy and social innovation think tank for the empowerment of ordinary people.

For more information visit www.civilsociety.org.au