Charity Depaul UK Launches Updated iHobo App to Highlight Issues Around Homelessness
- Version 1.1 of Award-winning App Gives Deeper Understanding of Issues Surrounding Young People and Homelessness
- Aims to Encourage Broad Debate About Homelessness at a Time When Services and Support for Homeless and Disadvantaged People are Being Cut
LONDON, April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- iHobo, the UK's most downloaded charity iPhone App, has this week returned to the Apple iTunes store. The App comes with extra features to improve user engagement and understanding and capitalise on the power of social networking.
The free, interactive App uses live action and urges users to take care of a 'virtual' homeless young person. Over three days iHobo is the iPhone user's responsibility with every decision made - such as offering food, money or emotional support - impacting on his life.
The revised App builds understanding of the issue of homelessness by introducing hidden 'truth' items throughout the App, which when collected reveal facts and information about youth homelessness. It is also more personal, encouraging players to input their own names and develop a real relationship with the virtual young person.
iHobo links into Facebook Connect, allowing users to share their progress and their experience with the online community more seamlessly. The app also encourages users to consider the impact of their actions through iHobo more carefully, with users gaining points for 'caring actions'.
Against a backdrop of Government "austerity" cuts that will see a decrease in funding for core services on top of cuts in housing benefit for young people and a reduction in the non-dependence allowance, Depaul UK is concerned that the problem of youth homelessness is set to increase.
Depauk UK chief executive Paul Marriott said: "The future for young people is worrying at the moment, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Our local services have already been hit by cuts, and at a time when young people need the support of organisations like Depaul UK more than ever, crucial services will be decreasing.
"There is a real fear that young people sleeping on the streets will increase over the next five years. We hope this app will help us communicate the severity of this issue to the general public."
The App is available to download at http://www.depauluk.org/download
For the full release and more information click here http://www.depauluk.org/ihobomedia
Contact: Rachel Slade, Depaul UK Communications Manager
Tel: +44(0)207-939-1280, rachel.slade@depauluk.org
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