Community Commons App

The Community Commons app was designed as a direct response to the growing issue of loneliness and social isolation among Canadians. Research shows that both younger and older populations are increasingly disconnected — younger people often turn to digital interactions over in-person relationships, while seniors face isolation that contributes to significant health risks such as dementia, depression, and heart-related conditions. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, belonging and social connection are foundational psychological requirements. Community Commons aims to bridge this gap by providing people with accessible, meaningful ways to engage with their communities.
The concept of the app was created through understanding that loneliness is not simply a lack of people but a lack of belonging. It needs to be a supportive environment where people can discover local events, groups, and activities, connect with their community, build supportive social networks, and develop confidence in their social skills. There are four proven methods of reducing loneliness, those being to increase social skills, strengthen social support, increase opportunities for social interaction, and provide socio-cognitive training. The app does this through its organization of commons, groups, events, and learning modules. It also aids socio-cognitive learning by providing in-app prompts to encourage social interaction. In summary, the research illustrated the emotional weight of social isolation, the associated health risks, and the psychological importance of belonging. These insights influenced the calming aesthetic, focus on simplicity, and highlight the events and groups as pathways to real-world connection.