Close connects local residents in times of Corona

Rotterdam, 16 April 2020 - Welfare organisation Humanitas and start-up Close have developed a mobile app to bring local residents into contact in South Rotterdam. Via the Close platform, residents of Feijenoord can indicate whether they want to help with shopping, delivering medicines, homework assistance or other small jobs. Neighbourhood residents are then matched, so no one needs help due to the measures against the corona virus.

Ask for help

The corona virus affects us all and makes us more isolated than ever. These are elderly people with poor health, lonely people, but also children who need extra homework assistance. To help this group of people, Humanitas and start-up Close developed a mobile app in which neighbours can quickly lend a helping hand to someone in their neighbourhood. For example, for shopping, chatting (whether online) with people or delivering meals.

Anton van den Beukel, Humanitas Feijenoord Area Foundation:

“At this time, we receive an average of 400 requests for help every week and it is a huge logistical puzzle to help so many people at the same time. Research shows that most people are quite willing to do something for someone in the area. With the Close app, we can easily connect neighbours and bring supply and demand together. Through a few questions in the app, we know who wants to do what and then it is arranged in no time.”

The Humanitas Help App, in collaboration with Close.

How does it work?

Residents of Rotterdam-Feijenoord can register as a volunteer via the Close app. Through a few simple questions in the app, they indicate what they can do for others in the neighborhood. After registering this information, neighbors who want to help will be approached by a Humanitas employee for further steps. The match is then made with a current request for help: fast, safe and always nearby.

After registration, the app also offers other convenience through push notifications. Think of sending personal thanks, answers to frequently asked questions, but useful, up-to-date information about the Coronavirus is also shared with each other.

‍Founder and CEO of Close Kiliaan Toorenaar:

“We are happy that we can contribute in this way with our technology in this uncertain period. With our platform, Humanitas can now find and mobilise interested neighbours in no time to help a group that is having a hard time. We are therefore happy to help other neighbourhoods in the Netherlands that are struggling with similar issues.”