When I tested the original design with a group of 5 users, one of the biggest pain points on the existing journey was the functionality of the “need help” panic button.
The existing design was such that users weren’t asked permission to share sensitive location information until they tapped the panic button in response to a situation.
This creating a frustrating user experience which resulted in user tapping off the “need help” section and forgoing its features entirely.
Meet Lucy.
Lucy is a university student living on campus. She’s has autism, and while she values her independence, she often feels isolated—especially in social settings where unspoken cues and quick conversations can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, when she misreads a situation or struggles to express herself clearly, others respond with confusion or even frustration. This can leave her feeling not just alone, but unsafe.
What Lucy wants isn’t constant interaction. She simply wants to feel connected—to know there’s a way to reach out when she needs support, and to be seen and understood on her own terms.
By prioritising clarity, accessibility, and user control, the new onboarding flow helps users understand how the app can support their social needs—while ensuring they maintain full control over their privacy from the very beginning.
