Developed the idea for a radical housing support model for people with learning disabilities
Carl Poll sadly died on 23rd May 2013. His own modest biography is below, but you can read some of our memories of Carl by going to this page:
In the late 1980s Carl developed the idea for a radical housing support model for people with learning disabilities – KeyRing Living Support Networks.
KeyRing presented an idea that seemed preposterous to many: that nine people, who might otherwise be in residential care, could live in their own place in an ordinary community, supported by a volunteer. This person offers practical support and helps Members to build self-reliance, mutual support and community connections. In 2010, there are over one thousand KeyRing Members living in their own ordinary places in nearly 60 local authority areas.
Working with KeyRing Members taught Carl about mobilising the capacities, skills and gifts of individuals and the importance of careful facilitation and support that does not steal the initiative from those supported.
He led KeyRing until 2003 when he joined In Control to work as a project consultant on three of the initial pilots till 2005. After this initial phase of In Control work, he worked as Director of Communications from 2005-2008 and was responsible, with Henry Iles, for the creation of the In Control brand and publications strategy.
Carl had two particular interests. The first concerned the meaning of citizenship for marginalised people. He contributed to and edited a number of publications on this subject including In Community: practical lessons in supporting isolated people to be part of community (HSA Press, 2009).
The second is about how we communicate effectively and Carl championed the importance of clear and concise information at KeyRing and In Control and continued to work towards this with easy read.
Before starting KeyRing Living Support Networks, Carl had been a language teacher, printer and typesetter.
Carl was also a Director of Manavodaya International UK.
