IdeaSolace: A Digital Platform Connecting Hospitalized Youth with Safe Emotional Support

Solace is a digital platform that is designed to combat the problem of social isolation among children and teenagers who are undergoing long-term hospitalization. It provides structured emotional support through a smart system that matches patients with volunteers, ensures safety, and keeps the process light-hearted and comfortable for both sides. The main aim of the project is to create meaningful connections and a real community for those who are experiencing loneliness while going through treatment. At its core, the platform is built around a model that connects young patients with volunteers and peers. These connections are not random, but are intentionally designed through an intelligent matching system that is based on a series of questions that every user is asked when first joining the platform. Analysing multiple factors such as hobbies and conversation preferences, this feature is implemented to provide a higher guarantee that the pairing will be successful and result in a real connection. A defining aspect of the platform is its emphasis on structured interactions. Solace provides suggestions that can help guide the conversation. Users are given prompts and weekly themes to discuss. This avoids awkwardness of first interactions and sparks genuine interest. Additionally, the platform integrates collaborative engagement where users can choose to participate in weekly group experiences, such as trivia games, drawing challenges, storytelling etc. Volunteers play a central role in the project. Prior experience is not required for the participants, since the role is not to provide professional care, but to show support. Solace encourages adolescents to participate through a structured and youth-oriented guidance that allocates activities based on the time commitment and interests of an individual. Every volunteer also goes through a briefing about ethical awareness and understanding of boundaries on the platform. In addition to creating a connection between volunteers and patients, Solace encourages peer-to-peer connection through community spaces. The platform facilitates online groups that are designed to bring people with the same struggles together, encouraging peer support and mutual understanding. Safety remains the priority for Solace. All users are verified and must submit their ID to create a profile. Moreover, the interactions are monitored: all calls are recorded and reviewed if there are any concerns; the messages are scanned by AI-assistance for harmful language or inappropriate requests. If any of the communication boundaries are crossed, the user will have their profile flagged and restricted from engaging in further conversation. The digital platform includes a ‘Stories’ section where young people share their volunteering experience encouraging others to get involved, alongside an ‘Interviews’ section, which features insights from health and well-being professionals, raising awareness about the issue and building credibility. Overall, the platform serves as a centralized space where young people can understand and engage in meaningful activities that contribute to SDG 3 - Good health and Well-being. Furthermore, by aiming to reduce inequality and encouraging real social engagement for hospitalized youth, the project covers SDG 10, which is Reduced Inequality. Solace aims to improve emotional well-being for those who need it most - young patients in isolation who are looking for a second chance at conventional social bonding.

My expertise lies in developing clear, meaningful concepts and turning them into structured ideas with a strong visual and emotional identity. I am interested in design, storytelling, and user experience, which helps me think about how a project should look, feel, and communicate its purpose to others. I can support organizations by helping them shape their ideas, improve the way they present their mission, and create concepts that are understandable, engaging, and attractive to young audiences.