Case Study
Here2Help Community
Weaving community in a disconnected world
Here2Help Community is a tech organization focused on innovative sustainable solutions to ensure the growth of resilient communities generations into the future. The purpose is to create strong local connections through volunteer support, collaborative events, and online community events.
The Here2Help App is a free app with the primary goal of providing community-based support services to those in need. The platform matches volunteers with people seeking services based on their needs, location and availability.
- App Design & Development
- Web Design & Development
- UX/UI Design & Prototyping
- Information Architecture
- Marketing Strategy
Project Tools
Case Summary
Product Vision
Here2Help Community required a user friendly online web presence to showcase the organization. The website needed to include a donation payment gateway, A community event calendar that could be easily updated by the team, And responsiveness on many devices.
The Here2Help App is the foundation of Here2Help Community. The main goal if the app is to connect volunteers with people seeking support. Users could then chat within the app and volunteers connect to offer support.
Outcomes
The website was designed with WordPress and customized with Elementor. Multiple WordPress plugins gave the site the required features.
To build the Here2Help App research was required to determine the need for this app. User Interviews to empathize with the users and determine what they needed most. Intuitive UX and IU Design along with user testing ensured a pleasurable user experience. The app was coded in react native to be launched in the Apple App Store and Google Play store.
The Problem
Many people do not have a personal support system.
Many people with disabilities struggle with everyday tasks many take for granted.
Communities are disconnected, due to recent events like the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the 21st century, loneliness has been widely reported as an increasing worldwide problem. In 2017, loneliness was labelled a growing "epidemic" by Vivek Murthy, former Surgeon General of the United States.
Canadians living with disabilities
540,000
youth age 15-24 years
3.7 million
adults aged 25-64 years
2 million
seniors aged 65 and over
Research
User research was conducted over two phases. The objective was to gain a deep understanding of how people seek support. Who they seek support from. And what concerns they have about asking for help. Volunteers were also interviewed to learn more about their volunteering experience. What barriers would prevent them from volunteering. And what motivates them to volunteer.
Phase 1
Questions for seekers and volunteers were added to an online survey to collect quantitative research. Participants were requested to voluntarily complete the survey. Data from the survey was analyzed to learn more about the process of volunteering. The most popular volunteer tasks. And the interest of volunteers and seekers using an app to seek or offer volunteer services.
Phase 2
User interviews were conducted with 10 participants to help us understand our potential users. Of the 10 participants 5 of them more closely identify with someone who would seek volunteer support. The other 5 were people who would be interested in volunteering their time. Interviews were conducted with zoom and recorded for analysis.
A preliminary coding scheme was created with the following categories. Motivation to volunteer, Incentive to volunteer, Barriers to volunteering, Safety concerns, Task search methods, Expectations, Types of tasks, Types of communication, and Additional features. Interview data was transcribed and sorted into each code category.
Motivations
Sense of privilege and giving back to the community
Positive feeling about helping those in need (empathy)
Learning new skills from the experience Learning things from the people in the community
Incentives
Want nothing in return
Feeling good about helping others
Certificate for volunteering
Making the experience easy
Barriers
Unclear where to search suitable opportunities
Too much paperwork or documents before getting started
Not getting any feedback or taken for granted
Safety Concerns
Masks and social distancing
Does the seeker have medial conditions, at risk?
Not trained for emergency situations
Search Methods
App filters based on preferences
App recommends task based on preferences
Browse available opportunities
Expectations
Timing and duration
Profile with picture
Seeker’s expectations for the task
Task Types
Taking care of a dog
Making friends and meeting like minded people
Moving or assembling furniture
Communication
Confirmation of request to help
Chat to adjust details of the task
Moving or assembling furniture
Additional Features
Reminders and notifications about the task
Checklist for safety (masks, sanitizer, ect)
Maps to locate accurately
Seeker
This persona based on the user interviews with the seeker group. Jane is an example of someone that would use the app to seek support. She sometimes needs support with mobility and personal care, Odd Jobs around the house, and rides for groceries and doctors appointments.
Volunteer
Adam is an example of a volunteer that would use the app to look for volunteer opportunities. Adam wants to make an impact in his community and meet like minded people. In the past he has volunteered with food drives, community clean ups, as well as coaching and mentoring.
Proposed Solution
To bridge the gap between volunteers and people in need an app that matches volunteers with people seeking services based on their needs, location and availability could help make these connections.
User Flow
This user flow is an illustration of the path Jane or Adam might take to complete their desired goal of seeking help or volunteering. Designing this user flow helped ensure that Jane and Adam have an easy time using the Here2Help Community app. By understanding what types of decisions Jane and Adam made along the way we were able to determine what happens next.
User Stories
User stories are a core part of the UX Design and development process. User stories help designers make decisions about what features should or shouldn’t be in a design. The acceptance criteria informs developers what function the product needs to do in order to be considered complete. This document is a collection of user stories for each category of the Here2Help Community app.
App Design
Here2Help App
A connected community at your fingertips. Need assistance? Here2Help Community is the easiest way to connect to those around you and receive the support you may need. Time to spare? You can help people on your own schedule at the press of a button.
How it works
Jane has successfully submitted her request for help and it’s listed in the app.
Adam signed up for the app and is looking to volunteer in the community.
Browsing the app for volunteer opportunities Adam discovers Jane’s request and sends her a message.
Messages & Safety
In the chat Adam connects with Jane and offers her a ride. Jane will be notified of a new message offering her a ride and can discuss the details of the request.
Jane also has the option to block and report James if there was any suspicious behavior.
Design System
