Just like the previous Use learning-line course, we had to find design opportunities but this time for a real client Zuidzorg. With a group we explored the current situation of elderly that are members of Zuidzorg. We noticed that all they wanted is to share their stories but they don’t have anyone to do so. The nurses don’t have time and the threshold to go to activities was too high. Also we noticed that the nurses care really a lot about their patients and feel guilty that they are forced to stick to a tight schedule. They know there patients really well since they are the only one the elderly can talk to. So we saw an opportunity in using the knowledge of the nurses to find a group for the elderly to fit into. A platform would be created called Gruupke on which the nurses could put a profile of the elderly with an short descriptions and a list of passions. The system would find matches in this passions and a group would be created after the permissions of the nurses. The first contact will be facilitated by the nurses but also students with the same passion would join. On the longer period these students would be responsible for taking care of elderly. It is a very unique system with the use of passion as key element. The nurses have passion for their elderly, the elderly have passion for their hobby that is the same as the students and by this you created groups that fit together based on the advice of the nurses that know their patients. I love the process we made in this project. Instead of forcing users to “like” our concept, we did a co-creation sessions in order to validate if we had the best concept. Our concept has changed dramatically, but the end result is a combination of the best ideas. This was the first time working with a client and be able to work in “the real world”. You have to keep in mind your interviewing real people with real feelings and I think we did this in a professional way.
