# /0 Introduction

The care protocol for Care Brigades offers a structured framework. It is flexible enough at the same time. It can be adapted to different care situations. It combines elements from project management. With careful consideration of feelings. And the interpersonal aspects of care work. And with care-political strategy. Through clear processes. Through open communication. Through shared responsibility. This protocol helps build Care Brigades. They can handle even difficult care situations well. At the same time, the burden on individual supporters is managed sustainably.

# /1 Founding the Care Brigade

When founding the Care Brigade, we recommend a precise analysis of the initial situation. Take a lot of time for this. It is also important to determine the political significance. And the strategic orientation of the brigade. With regard to an emancipatory politics. Reference is also made here to Care-Pol. And to the knowledge databases of the Building Caring Cities from Below campaign.

## // Define the Initial Situation Clearly

- Find out which people are affected. Record their needs.
- Determine how much support is needed.
- Estimate a time frame. Assess urgency.
- Show the political significance. Critically reflect: does the brigade perhaps only reproduce the current state?
- Negotiate political premises and the strategic orientation of the brigade.
- Record existing resources. Also record skills in the network.
- Research external support options.
- Identify possible obstacles.

## // Document the Initial Situation

## // Formulate Concrete Utopias

Based on the initial situation and your needs: describe a concrete best-case scenario. The best that could happen.

## // Define the Care Brigade

- Define a core team.
- Identify a support network (family, friends, neighbours, professional services).
- Set up a communication platform (Signal).

# /2 Organisation of the Care Brigade

Here are the next steps we recommend. And ways to organise your Care Brigade.

## // Goals and Time Frame

### Define Concrete Goals

- Define a main goal and possible sub-goals. Prioritise these sub-goals. Maybe you can define success criteria?
- Also clearly define what you do NOT want to achieve.

### Create a Concrete Schedule

- What is the overall time frame? Are there critical dates? What rhythm do you want for coordination meetings?

## // Tasks and Resources

### Create a Task List

- Sort these tasks into categories. Prioritise them. Pay attention to dependencies between tasks.

### Overview of Resources

- Record and allocate time resources.
- Get an overview of finances (clarify the financial framework). And material resources (tools, vehicles, spaces).

## // Role Distribution

- Determine a coordination person.
- Distribute task responsibilities. Pay attention to capacities, skills, experience, motivation.
- Name replacement persons for critical roles. Perhaps it makes sense to introduce a buddy system from the start.
- Set up a rotation system for burdensome tasks.

## // Coordination

- Ensure regular coordination meetings with a fixed agenda.
- Create good communication structures. Who needs to know what? What is reported back? Do all know too much or too little?
- Consider whether you need an emergency protocol.

## // Knowledge Management

### Documentation

- Keep a decision log. Create checklists for recurring processes. Build a resource library and share it!

### Knowledge Transfer

- Create an onboarding for new supporters. Structure handovers. Document and share experiential knowledge.

### Reflection

- Reflect on your processes. Adapt them. Identify areas for improvement.
- Acknowledge successes and shared achievements.