Fighting Loneliness with SAM
SUMMARY
Loneliness is primarily a feeling, which can significantly be improved by spending time with others. We are providing an effective solution to loneliness by facilitating meaningful social contact. People should have the chance to do what they like most, easily connect with others, wherever they are and whenever they want to. Our SAM Guide helps people to overcome social insecurities and social anxiety. We are building a community of SAMMERS, we create awareness and break the taboo.
We are including local partners like cafés, restaurants or sport clubs, who join our mission to reduce loneliness. We are not just an app but growing a SAM community, starting in Amsterdam.
SAM is made by and for people.
The Problem
Have you ever felt alone? I mean really really lonely? 34 million people are socially isolated in the EU (Eurostat). They do not see their family. Not even once a year. Loneliness is affecting all of us. Old or young, from all nationalities and all social backgrounds. What you might not know: loneliness is a greater concern among young than elderly. 18-34 year old people are more likely to feel alone and to feel depressed because of loneliness than the over 55-s (Mental Health Foundation). Furthermore chronic loneliness can cause severe health problems. Chronic loneliness is harmful to your body. It is worse for your body than obesity, equivalent to smoking 15 cigarets a day or being an alcoholic. Furthermore social isolation increases the risk of heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32%. Loneliness is linked with depression, stress and suicidal behavior. Especially in cities people are more and more alone. We are more connected than ever but experience less meaningful social contact!
We think it is unacceptable that millions of people are socially isolated. We want to break the taboo, create awareness and change all these lives for the better.
Our Solution
We are developing SAM. A mobile application (iOS and Android) to fight loneliness. SAM can be downloaded in April 2018. SAM comes from the Dutch word "samen", which means "together". There are many communities and initiatives that are fighting social loneliness. But most of them are only taking place at one specific location (e.g. one city/ neighbourhood) and are reaching only one specific target group (e.g. one small community/one age group). We therefore need a time and place independent solution, which facilitates meaningful social contact and helps people to do things they like most. Can you believe there are at least 10 people in your neighbourhood who have nothing to do tonight, why not connect with one of them? 
We are building a platform that gives people the chance to be together.
- SAM brings people together.
- SAMMERS (the user) can take part wherever they are, whenever they want to and can do what they like most.
- SAM is very personal, the user decides how many people will take part, so nobody "drowns in the crowd".
- With our app volunteers and community initiatives can help people more effectively and reach out to more people by simply posting their help and events on SAM.
- SAM is constant. Unlike a community event, SAM never stops.
- We want to create the SAM Guide, which helps people to overcome social insecurities step by step. The SAM Guide will be developed by people who have experienced longterm loneliness, by psychotherapists and researchers. We want to give people the best advice and help them in the most effective way to reconnect with social life.
- SAM is not a dating app, artificial intelligence or a "chat" app.
How SAM works
SAMMERS (the users) can search for events or host events themselves. For example your favourite band plays in your town, but you do not want to go there alone. Why don't you invite a SAMMER to join you? Simply post your personal event on SAM. There might just be another SAMMER who would love to go to the concert with you. Or you are not very mobile, but you are a passionate chess player? Maybe there is another SAMMER around who would love to play chess with you. SAM literally shows you that there is no reason to be alone. SAMMING can range from walking the dog together, going to the movies together, attending yoga class, or just having a small chat. SAM is simple, personal and gives people the chance to do what they like most, but just not alone anymore.
Why We Think SAM Will Work
What would help you when you feel lonely? Doing nice things, with people you like? Meaningful social contact is the key to reduce loneliness. Do what you like most, in small and fun groups. Why will this work? People reported to already feel significantly less lonely after attending small events or activities. A small chat over coffee can mean a lot to someone who is feeling alone. Why is a mobile app a good solution? With SAM we can reach and therefore help as many people as possible. SAM is an easy, beautiful and clearly arranged platform. A platform focusing on one specific goal: bringing people together and facilitating meaningful social contact. People can be reached easier via an app than via initiatives or events organised by their local communities. SAM is literally showing you that there is no reason to feel alone. SAM shows you that there are exciting and personal events in your direct neighbourhood organised by people like you and me.
People might struggle with social insecurities or think that they are the only one with this problem. This is why we are developing the SAM Guide to help people step by step to reconnect with people around them. The SAM Guide will be developed by researchers, psychotherapists and people who have suffered from longterm loneliness. In this way we can provide the best advice.
We are building a community of SAMMERS, including local partners like cafés, restaurants or sport clubs, who join our mission to reduce loneliness. We are not just an app but growing a SAM community, starting with Amsterdam.
Who We Are
We are a young and very ambitious team from the Netherlands working very hard to make SAM an effective, fun and beautiful solution to loneliness. We are not new to the tech world and have experiences in developing mobile applications. Combined with our background in Psychology we want to fight loneliness in the best way possible. Our team consists of six members and we are growing.
The SAM team covers Strategy & Acquisition, Full Stack Software Development, Project Management, Marketing and UX & UI Design. I am responsible for content and finance. My name is Elena Köstler (german), 26 year old, and I live in Amsterdam. I studied Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Amsterdam.
We are very motivated and working hard to find the best possible solution to change these lives for the better. Why? In this fast and constantly changing world, we need to look out for each other and start to care for each other more than ever.
How Your Donation Changes our Mission and the World of so Many People
Your donation helps SAM and therefore helps all these people, who have absolutely nobody. With your support we can build the app. We need at least 22.000 Euros to make this happen. Our goal is that the app will be finished in April 2018 and that we can elicit meaningful change from day 1.
Your support means more than the world to us.
We cannot thank you enough for your support and for your faith in SAM and most importantly in us.
Thank You so Much!
Your SAM Team
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