Ajuda+ is a free mobile application that allows elderly people living in the city of Lisbon to get in touch with a network of volunteers who provide different services with the aim of making life easier for older people and reducing the feelings of loneliness and helplessness that can arise.

It all starts with registration and a choice: I want to help or I need help. From here, older people can create an account, specifying any health conditions they may have and including emergency contacts. Then all they have to do is request the service they want from the available options or make a personalized request and choose the volunteer they want. In turn, the volunteer will receive a notification to accept or reject the request.

On the volunteer’s side, they can define their radius of action, the days/times they are available and the type of services they can perform. The “match” with the elderly is made on the basis of the radius of action and time availability. The volunteer also has access to a calendar to manage requests in the best possible way.

Ajuda+ was developed as part of Voxpop, the innovation program co-funded by Lisbon City Council and the European Regional Development Fund through the European Urban Initiative.