Hi Pause Awards 2023!

The risk of social isolation and loneliness as we age is increasing, and solutions are scarce. Tech start-up, Dossy.co, reached out to Two Bulls/DEPT® to create an inclusive video-calling app to change that. We pioneered the use of technology to focus on developing and designing an accessible and all-in-one safe solution to empower seniors to achieve face-to-face communication effortlessly to stay connected with their families, friends, and a wonderful community of virtual volunteers for meaningful conversations through simplified and secure video calls. Dossy.co is a lifeline to social connection and provides a sense of belonging that can significantly improve mental health and overall quality of life for the often underrepresented group of older adults. The app has sparked community engagement with its simple and accessible interface that serves as a catalyst for technological inclusion among older adults.

Dossy's mission is to ensure that every older adult has the opportunity to connect with their loved ones, regardless of their financial situation or technological expertise.The Two Bulls./DEPT® team and Dossy set to work on producing an accessible design that provides people with low vision, low tech and hearing impaired users an easy experience. Additional support was integrated with hearing aid connect, guided access, optimised sound and larger fonts. Over and above that, we developed a system to notify volunteers when users wanted to talk through a dynamic ranking algorithm to match volunteers based on availability, language, and common interests to ensure an engaging and personalised video-calling experience for Dossy users. By creating a sense of community and providing a group of volunteers for each client, Dossy ensures that users always have someone to connect with.

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Dossy is not just empowering aged care providers to comply with national healthcare social connection goals and track progress towards reducing social isolation and loneliness among their clients, but it also has the potential to reduce the risk of cognitive decline among older adults. However, the apps impact extends beyond social connection and loneliness, the intuitive video-calling app is committed to creating a world where older adults feel valued and connected. Dossy isn't just another technology solution; it's a carefully crafted experience woven into the fabric of users' lives, substantiated by data, and supported by a growing chorus of stakeholders.