Care Well

What is your care personality, and how does it shape your life and work?

What is it?

ArtsPond's Care Well is a care-centeredframework focusdesigned forto identifyingexplore thehow dreamscare andmanifests demands ofin diverse communities while co-designing accessible tools and technologies.individuals. ExpandingIt ourexpands traditionalconventional understandingsdefinitions of care,care itby is based onintroducing five interconnected care personalities, including:including careseekers, caretakers, caregivers, caremakers, and careshapers. These personalities represent different roles in the ecosystem of care, providing a lens through which individuals and groups can examine their relationships with care in a broader context. Each personality offers a unique perspective on how care is sought, provided, and transformed across personal, community, and systemic dimensions. 

For example:

Careseekers (recipients or beneficiaries of care)

YouCareseekers are a beneficiarybeneficiaries of care that is shared with youprovided by others. YouThey seeoften view the world as precarious and focus on the presentimmediate to short-term needs (~1-approximately a one-year horizon). YouTheir seekgoal careis to reduce your vulnerability and meet basic needsrequirements for security and survival. PerceivedCareseekers are seen as vulnerable andyet resourceful, youpossessing arevaluable threatenedinsights byinto harmsself-care inthat thecan systemguide butthose lackoffering theor shaping care. Despite limited capacity to changeeffect thingssystemic forchange, the better. However, yourtheir first-hand experiences provide critical knowledge offor identifying authentic self-care can offer valuable guidance to those leading changes and providing care.
solutions.

Caretakers (guardians or protectors of care)

YouCaretakers areact aas guardianguardians of carecare, thatprotecting isaccess soughtto byessential andresources shared withfor others. YouThey seealso perceive the world as precarious andbut focus on protecting what is needed to survive now and into the foreseeablemedium-term future (~3around three to 5-yearfive horizon)years). YouThese bringindividuals diverse groups togetherwork to protect access tosafeguard care in the face ofamidst present harms and future threats.threats, Perceivedoften by uniting diverse groups. Caretakers are perceived as champions or companions to both careseekers and caregiverscaregivers, alike,though youthey riskmay yourface risks to their own survivalwell-being due to resource gaps or insufficient support. With adequate assistance, caretakers play a pivotal role in resourcesidentifying and knowledge. However, with adequate support from others, you can help identify and guide the essentialimplementing changes necessary to achieve afor thriving future.
futures.

Caregivers (providers or nurturers of care)

YouCaregivers are a nurturer ofnurture care thatby youproviding offerdirect and shareempathetic withsupport others.to Youindividuals seeand smaller communities. They view the world as prosperous and focus onprioritize helping more people surviveothers in the present to near-term future (~2-yearapproximately horizon)two years). YouThough prioritizeperceived personalizedas selfless and often overburdened, caregivers excel in fostering personal connections and offering essential care with individuals and smaller communities. Perceived as overburdened yet selfless, you havedespite limited capacity to address larger systemic issues. However, yourTheir patience and empathy ensure you continue to offer and share essential care and inspire others to docare theand same.
help maintain crucial support networks.

Caremakers (engineers or builders of care)

YouCaremakers are a builderbuilders of care that is created and shared by you and others. You see the world as prosperous andwho focus on creating conditions for a thriving futurefutures inover the medium to long-term (~5five to 10-yearten horizon)years). YouSeeing prioritizethe leadingworld as prosperous, they lead and supportingsupport collectiveboth actionsindividual and individualcollective approaches to care that strengthen the vitality of individuals, communities, and smaller ecosystems. PerceivedOften perceived as ambitious and empowering, youcaremakers confront resistance to push for significanttransformative changeschanges. despite resistance. However, your boundlessTheir creativity and compassion help enable others to advanceachieve real changeaccessible and accessiblesustainable care.

Careshapers (visionaries or architects of care)

YouCareshapers are a visionaryvisionaries of care that is shared with, by, and for everyone. Youwho see the world as both as it is and aswhat it could be,become. demystifyingThey navigate its vulnerable complexity andwhile imagining hopeful energy.possibilities Youover the long-term (ten to twenty-five years or more). Careshapers prioritize illustratingunderstanding the causes and consequences of precarity and testing remediessolutions thatto cultivatefoster and amplifysystemic prosperity across largerecosystems. ecosystemsOften over the long-term (~10 to 25 years or more). Perceivedseen as idealistic and innovative, youcareshapers challenge norms and stimulateencourage communities to envision a better world.futures. YourTheir ability to demystify complexity and share broad perspectiveperspectives enables you to guide and motivate others, passingensures knowledge and inspiration are passed across generations.

How to use it?

To apply the Care Well framework in expanding awareness of care at all levels—personal, familial, community-wide, and planetary—follow these general steps:

Expand awareness of care needs

• Begin by identifying the types of care needed across various levels:
  • Personal care: Physical, emotional, and mental health support.
  • Family care: Interpersonal connections, support systems, and shared responsibilities.
  • Community care: Resources, equity, accessibility, and shared infrastructure.
  • Ecosystem and planetary care: Sustainability, biodiversity, and global health.
• Reflect on how these needs intersect and influence each other, creating a holistic view of care.

Identify care roles and dynamics

• Explore the roles individuals and groups play in care ecosystems. Consider how care is given, received, and shaped across different contexts:
  • Who are the recipients or beneficiaries of care?
  • Who protects or safeguards care resources?
  • Who provides hands-on support and nurtures wellbeing?
  • Who builds systems or conditions for care to thrive?
  • Who envisions and leads transformative care solutions?
• Understand how these roles contribute to the broader web of care.

Recognize barriers and opportunities

• • Analyze what limits access to care in different contexts and identify opportunities for improvement:
    • Barriers could include systemic inequities, cultural stigmas, or resource scarcity.
    • Opportunities might involve leveraging technology, fostering collaboration, or scaling successful practices.
  • Focus on the unique challenges and strengths present at each level of care (e.g., personal, community, planetary).

Co-design care practices

• Work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to explore innovative approaches to care. Consider how different types of care can complement one another:
  • Create family programs that integrate environmental education.
  • Develop community initiatives that address both social and ecological health.
  • Promote policies that align personal well-being with planetary sustainability.
• Incorporate feedback and lived experiences into the design process to ensure inclusivity and relevance.

Promote holistic care solutions

• Advocate for care strategies that address interconnected needs across multiple levels:
  • Integrate mental health support with workplace initiatives to strengthen both personal and community well-being.
  • Encourage cultural and creative practices that promote biodiversity awareness alongside social cohesion.
  • Foster global movements that link human rights, social justice, and environmental conservation.

Reflect and iterate

• Periodically evaluate the effectiveness of care practices and make adjustments as needed.
• Foster ongoing dialogue about care dynamics to continuously deepen understanding and engagement across levels.
• Celebrate successes and amplify the voices of those leading care-centered innovations.

By approaching care as a multi-dimensional and interconnected system, the Care Well framework helps expand awareness of what care entails and how it can be effectively provided at every scale, from the personal to the planetary.

Examples in arts and culture

A collaborative network of artists, cultural workers, and community organizers comes together to create a public arts initiative focused on promoting mental health and resilience in underserved communities. By using the Care Well framework, the team identifies their care personalities and designs a multifaceted program addressing immediate and long-term needs.

• Careseekers
  Members who have experienced mental health challenges share their stories and insights, helping the group understand the critical needs and vulnerabilities faced by the target community. Their perspective ensures the initiative addresses real and urgent concerns authentically.

• Caretakers
  Individuals in administrative and organizational roles ensure resources are allocated effectively and that the initiative is inclusive and accessible. They advocate for the project within their networks, safeguarding its longevity amidst funding and logistical challenges.

• Caregivers
  Artists and facilitators create workshops and programs tailored to individuals, emphasizing emotional well-being and personal connection. These activities provide immediate care and support to participants through personalized artistic engagement.

• Caremakers
  Program designers and leaders develop the overarching structure of the initiative, integrating community feedback into a sustainable model. They design scalable solutions, such as toolkits for other communities to replicate the program, ensuring its broader impact.

• Careshapers
  Visionaries in the group craft a long-term strategy for addressing systemic mental health disparities. They propose policy changes and build partnerships with healthcare providers and cultural organizations, amplifying the initiative’s impact and sustainability.