The Challenge:

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!
 Loneliness can happen to all of us. Even you and me. The feeling of loneliness can become a vicious cycle. It then gets even more difficult for people to reconnect with social life. We want to change that!

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) with the aim to fight loneliness. SAM can be downloaded in May 2018 for free. 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. Welcome to SAM!
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? 


Wait, what?

1) Facilitating meaningful social contact in small, personal events, created by you and me. Real connection is key. Do what you like most, with people you like, wherever and whenever you want to.

2) Social insecurities and social anxiety can make it very difficult for people to reconnect with social life. We are therefore developing the SAM Guide which helps you step by step to reconnect with others. The SAM Guide is developed by researchers, therapists and people who have experienced longterm loneliness.

3) We are building a SAM community: offline integration of so called SAM friends.

We are convinced that SAM will be a very beautiful, clear and effective solution to loneliness. We want to break the taboo, create awareness and change all these lives for the better.

SAM is made by and for people. People like you and me.