# Commons ToC The Commons dimension of our co-operative model is all about how care is collectively stewarded and supported by the wider community - not just paid professionals. It recognises and weaves in the many hidden threads of care that already exist: neighbours, friends, volunteers, shared spaces, and informal networks. This Theory of Change view shows how commons-based activities and outputs connect to meaningful outcomes around belonging, equity, trust, and abundant care. {% embed url="" %} {% tabs %} {% tab title="Commons Outputs" %} These are the key contributions made through commons-based care activities: * Commons resource circles with volunteers * People gift time, skills and resources to teams and circles * Commons connects circles to local resources and community networks that can enrich the quality of lives of team members * Local circles have diverse and representative memberships, including other organisations with common values * Circles establish partnerships with local community hubs and anchor organisations to expand service offerings * Service evaluation measures cooperative connections between teams, circles and local community networks {% endtab %} {% tab title="Commons Outcomes" %} These outcomes reflect the social richness and relational depth the commons helps to build: * People have the freedom to decide upon and co-produce the care together * More people feel the power balance is right * Stronger community networks and partnerships are fostered * Peer support is widespread and normalized amongst all groups * More trusting, equitable relationships * People giving and receiving support make use of local community spaces to meet peers, hold gatherings, and self-organise * Local circles reflect diverse membership and collaborate with aligned organisations * Community kindness and connection grow * People benefit from gifted care, time and assets * Meal times are more social experiences * Care and support exists in greater abundance * People getting support are more connected to the people, places and things they care about * Care & support meets more of people's quality of life needs * People require less paid care and support over the long term * People getting support and family members have more trust in their care workers and Equal Care {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} --- # Agent Instructions: 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. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://play.equal.care/evaluation-framework/the-toolbox/theory-of-change/using-toc-tool-to-understand-the-impact-of-specific-features-of-the-coop/commons-toc.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.