> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://play.equal.care/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://play.equal.care/boneyard/six-dimensions-of-partnership-for-commons-based-care.md). # Six Dimensions of Partnership for Commons-Based Care To develop care services that are collectively owned and locally embedded, partnerships must sit at the heart of the design. In contrast to traditional models - often transactional and disconnected - a commons-based approach relies on **collaborative, ongoing relationships** that combine the strengths of care workers, recipients, local groups, volunteers, and statutory services. The sections that follow explore **six core dimensions of partnership** that emerged through our pilot. Each addresses a different aspect of what it takes to build a care system that is rooted in relationships and shared responsibility. Together, they form a foundation for developing a **community-held, cooperative model of care**. *** ### 1. Shared Ownership and Governance Commons-based care redistributes decision-making power across everyone involved: care workers, care receivers, family members, volunteers, and community partners. In our teams model, for example, team members take on governance roles using our digital platform and [Team Hats](/equal-cares-model/hats/team-hats.md) framework to self-manage their work. **How this strengthen care:** \ When governance is shared, power is shared. This helps services stay grounded in the real experiences and needs of everyone involved, especially those who are usually marginalised in decision-making. It fosters accountability, dignity and responsiveness. *** ### 2. Pooling and Sharing Resources A commons model relies on pooling not only financial resources, but also time, skills, space, and knowledge. During our pilot, this “care wealth” was visible in how teams and circles accessed support through local community organisations, peer groups, and mutual aid. However, we also saw how fragile community infrastructure had become post-pandemic. Many groups were still recovering or under-resourced. **The opportunity here:**\ Larger organisations often hold funding or infrastructure but may lack community trust. Local groups and individuals may have deep roots but limited capacity. Partnership lets these strengths complement each other, allowing more care to flow where it's needed most. *** ### 3. Integrating Formal and Informal Care Care doesn’t only happen in regulated spaces. Much of it takes place in everyday settings: in faith groups, food banks, libraries, gardens, and conversations between neighbours. Our mapping showed that most of the care wealth in Clapton was informal, relational, and community-led. **What we gain by working together:**\ Care becomes more holistic when formal providers collaborate with informal ones. Relationships are stronger, care is more personal, and both clinical and social needs are met. Partnerships help bridge silos and make the most of all available support. *** ### 4. Fostering Trust and Social Capital Care is not a task - it’s a relationship. This became especially clear during the pandemic, and again in our pilot. People turned to those they trusted: neighbours, volunteers, familiar places. These forms of connection generate what we call social capital: the trust, reciprocity, and shared responsibility that allow communities to care for themselves. **Why it works better together:**\ Trust grows in relationships, not transactions. Local partnerships create the conditions for mutual respect and reciprocity to flourish. They also make services more visible, approachable and human. *** ### 5. Co-Producing Services, Continuously Co-production isn’t a one-off consultation. It’s a commitment to continuously shaping services together - between care receivers, workers, community partners and others. At Equal Care, this shows up in everything from how teams design their support plans to how we co-create evaluation tools. **How this deepens impact:**\ Services are more relevant and resilient when people are involved from the ground up. Partnerships that embed co-production create flexible systems that evolve with changing needs, rather than relying on static solutions. *** **6. Building Partnerships with Intention**\ Not all organisations are ready to co-produce, and not all groups have the capacity for deep collaboration. Building strong partnerships requires time, trust, and a strategic, intentional approach. **What this requires:**\ Partnerships should be formed with clarity and care. Assessing alignment, capacity, and commitment early on helps avoid assumptions and ensures collaborations are rooted in mutual understanding. *** To help project leads and organisers assess and grow meaningful relationships, we developed the [**Co-Production Capacity Assessment Tool**](/evaluation-framework/the-toolbox/co-production-capacity-assessment-tool/10-capacities-for-co-production.md). This tool supports a practical and reflective approach to partnership-building, focusing on: * Shared ownership and governance * Resource pooling * Integration of care networks * Trust-building * Co-production readiness Having a shared vision isn’t enough — partners also need the capacity and commitment to work co-productively. This tool supports honest conversations, clearer expectations, and more durable collaborations. It is now included in Equal Care’s wider evaluation toolkit. While the Six Dimensions of Partnership outlined above provide a relational and values-driven foundation for commons-based care, the Co-Production Capacity Assessment Tool translates these dimensions into an actionable framework. Together, they offer both the heart and the hands of partnership-building. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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