Blogs and articles

At KeyRing we work hard to support people to build their independence. We work equally hard to convince the world of the skills that people have to offer. We don’t care about labels: learning disability, mental health issue, substance abuser. Everyone has something to offer.

Hi! I’m Paul Astley. I manage Queens Cross Network, a vibrant community hub offering co-produced support in partnership with people who have a physical/sensory disability in Dudley, West Midlands.

More sheep than people - how working in a rural community is affected by Covid-19

Ours used to be a traditional provider for supported housing for ‘homeless’ people. Over nine years Mayday has transformed itself into an influencer that is proving that changing our broken system is possible.

How the coronavirus pandemic has affected me. Jennifer Pearl contributes to our day in the life series

Philippa Russell DBE describes the pressures of lockdown and asks what VE day can offer.

In this strange new world, what can Making it Real offer? Charlie Crabtree and Richard O'Malley from KeyRing offer some ideas.

George Coxon, care home provider, speaks out about the plight of care homes, talks about how staff and residents are adapting to life in the coronavirus epidemic, and the importance of person-centred care

Clenton Farquharson, Chair of TLAP, has a message for the sector

Kate Sibthorp, a member of the National Co-production Advisory Group writes about how Making it Real is more relevant than ever as we cope with Coronavirus

My name is Sally Percival and I chair The National Co-production Advisory Group (NCAG) and co-chair The Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) partnership, but more importantly I care for my son and step daughter both of whom have significant disabilities and at the moment my partner who is immunosuppressed.

Keeping our communities going is more important than ever

Brendan Martin reflects on how the corona virus crisis is changing the nature of ‘neighbourhood care,’ as well as the way we are now needing to work.

How getting fit with GoodGym can help people in the community

Jade recently went to a meeting on personalisation in care at Essex County Council (ECC) and writes passionately about the changes she’d like to see in order to put good care and support into practice for people with direct payments.

Isaac Samuels, co-chair of the National Co-production Advisory Group explains how he can be helped to stay out of hospital and Natasha Burberry, TLAP policy advisory gives some hard facts and practical advice.

Does the regulation of personal assistants contribute to good care?

Vanessa Davey considers the issues about regulation of personal assistants

Anyone who has attended Shropshire Council’s sessions exploring direct payments knows that the call to, ‘think like a pirate', is meant to be a challenge to be brave and different. Our latest challenge is about our spoken and written language when we work with people who use council services.

Following a visit from the Royal Commission into Aged Care in Australia to TLAP, to explore how social care is for older people, Sanchi Murison reflects on what she learnt.