Five Cs: Community, Charity, Care, Collaboration, and Change

If you hear people talking about the "five Cs," they’re usually pointing to five simple ideas that help groups and individuals thrive. Think of them as a quick checklist you can use when you plan a project, join a club, or simply want to be more involved in your neighbourhood.

What Are the Five Cs?

Community means building connections with people who share a place or a goal. It’s the feeling that you belong and that your actions affect others.

Charity is about giving – time, money, or skills – to help those in need. It’s not just big donations; small acts count too.

Care covers looking after yourself and others. When you care, you notice when someone’s struggling and you step in.

Collaboration is teamwork. It’s listening, sharing ideas, and working together to reach a common result.

Change is the outcome you aim for. It can be a new habit, a better service, or a cleaner park. The five Cs push you toward making that change happen.

How the Five Cs Shape Community Learning

In places like Minehead & District U3A, the five Cs are the backbone of every activity. A reading group (Community) meets at the local hall, and members donate snacks (Charity) while checking in on each other's health (Care). They plan sessions together (Collaboration) and aim to improve knowledge and confidence (Change).

When you want to start a new club, ask yourself how each C will show up. Who will be your community members? What charity will you support? How will you care for participants? Which collaboration tools will you use? What change do you hope to see?

Using the five Cs makes planning easier. Instead of a long to‑do list, you have five clear points to tick off. It also helps you communicate the purpose of your project to others – a simple list is easier to share than a paragraph of jargon.

Many of the articles tagged with "five Cs" on this site illustrate these ideas. For example, the piece on "How Many Extracurricular Activities Should Kids Have?" shows how careful community planning (Community), thoughtful scheduling (Care), and collaborative decision‑making (Collaboration) can lead to better balance for families (Change). The guide on "Volunteer Shortage in 2025" highlights how charities (Charity) can work together (Collaboration) to keep volunteers motivated (Care) and create lasting impact (Change).

Ready to try the five Cs yourself? Pick a small project – maybe a neighbourhood clean‑up – and write down the five points. Invite a couple of friends (Community), decide on a donation goal (Charity), set a check‑in time (Care), split tasks (Collaboration), and aim for a cleaner street (Change). You’ll see how quickly the ideas turn into action.

The five Cs aren’t a rigid rulebook; they’re a friendly guide. Use them whenever you feel stuck, and you’ll find a smoother path forward. Whether you’re a U3A member, a parent, or a volunteer, the five Cs can help you make a real difference in your community.