keyring

Keyring models of support are social networks created and maintained to improve the quality of life for an identified group of vulnerable individuals primarily through social and peer support, though usually with volunteer befrienders and staff co-ordinators, Keyrings were first developed in services for people with learning difficulties, but have since been also extended to people with mental health problems in need of informal support. These might perhaps be thought of as day services, clubhouses or core and cluster models without a centre or residential core. Circles of support are volunteers who support one vulnerable individual, usually with high risks, such as former sex-offenders.