ACTS - Social Support App
ACTS - Social Support App
Helping formerly incarcerated individuals achieve their dream jobs
Helping formerly incarcerated individuals achieve their dream jobs
Problem
Problem
In Singapore, ex-offenders and people with disabilities face significant barriers to societal reintegration after incarceration, often resorting to crime without access to employment, education, or support. No centralized platform currently provides the necessary rehabilitation resources and community support for a successful transition.
In Singapore, ex-offenders and people with disabilities face significant barriers to societal reintegration after incarceration, often resorting to crime without access to employment, education, or support. No centralized platform currently provides the necessary rehabilitation resources and community support for a successful transition.
Ex-offenders and people with disabilities in Singapore remain marginalized, lacking opportunities for transformation. An accessible solution providing training, jobs, counseling, and peer support is needed to empower them to rebuild their futures.
Ex-offenders and people with disabilities in Singapore remain marginalized, lacking opportunities for transformation. An accessible solution providing training, jobs, counseling, and peer support is needed to empower them to rebuild their futures.
Initial concept from user
Initial concept from user
Need to confirm with UX research:
01
01
App seeks to focus on providing support resources for 5 domain needs: Family, Employment / Education, Pro-social Peers, Pro-social Activities, Spiritual & Mental Well-being
App seeks to focus on providing support resources for 5 domain needs: Family, Employment / Education, Pro-social Peers, Pro-social Activities, Spiritual & Mental Well-being
02
02
Matching of (individual or group) mentees to mentors effected through agency / support groups
Matching of (individual or group) mentees to mentors effected through agency / support groups
03
03
Mentoring & non-mentoring activities
Mentoring & non-mentoring activities
04
04
Advertisements by mentors and PIE mentees who are members of agencies / support groups only
Advertisements by mentors and PIE mentees who are members of agencies / support groups only
Research
Research
Findings
Findings
Ex-offenders and veterans in Singapore are held back by stigma—jobs are denied, training is inaccessible, and mental health support feels distant, especially for men aged 30-60, 90% of whom have low education levels. My UX research, including interviews with 10 ex-offenders, highlights isolation, depression, and an urgent need for community and well-being.
Ex-offenders and veterans in Singapore are held back by stigma—jobs are denied, training is inaccessible, and mental health support feels distant, especially for men aged 30-60, 90% of whom have low education levels. My UX research, including interviews with 10 ex-offenders, highlights isolation, depression, and an urgent need for community and well-being.
UX RESEARCH
Demographics from Data
The majority of inmates are male (90%, 6,249 out of 6,934), aged 30-60 (with a significant number in their 40s-50s), and have low education levels (2,051 out of 3,426 only completed primary school). This reinforces the user persona
Primary Research Insights
Interviews with 10 ex-offenders confirm the urgent need for jobs, community, and mental well-being—aligning with the ACTS brief (Family, Employment/Education, Pro-social Peers, Pro-social Activities, Spiritual & Mental Well-being)
PROJECT BRIEF
Relevance to client brief (ACTS)
The identified challenges—employment, isolation, and mental health—directly align with the five key focus areas of the ACTS brief
The need for community and mentors (as highlighted in interviews) reinforces the proposed mentee-mentor matching system, ensuring targeted support and meaningful connections
VILLAINS
Societal stigma
Making them feel rejected, worthless, and isolated—especially men aged 30-60 with low educational backgrounds
Personal pressures and limitation
Trapping them in a cycle of despair, weakening their will to rise again
Highlighted quote from user
I want to work, but no one wants to hire me." – Ex-offender, 45 years old
PROBLEMS
External
Job opportunities are denied, training is inaccessible, and mental health support feels distant” represents tangible, concrete barriers
Internal
Isolation, family pressure, and declining health” reflect the emotional burdens they carry
Philosophical
Stigma as an “invisible wall” highlights a broader injustice, evoking a sense of fairness and the belief that they deserve support
Villains
Societal stigma
Making them feel rejected, worthless, and isolated—especially men aged 30-60 with low educational backgrounds
Personal pressures and limitation
Trapping them in a cycle of despair, weakening their will to rise again
Highlighted quote from user
I want to work, but no one wants to hire me." – Ex-offender, 45 years old
Problems
External
Job opportunities are denied, training is inaccessible, and mental health support feels distant” represents tangible, concrete barriers
Internal
Isolation, family pressure, and declining health” reflect the emotional burdens they carry
Philosophical
Stigma as an “invisible wall” highlights a broader injustice, evoking a sense of fairness and the belief that they deserve support
UX research
Demographics from Data
The majority of inmates are male (90%, 6,249 out of 6,934), aged 30-60 (with a significant number in their 40s-50s), and have low education levels (2,051 out of 3,426 only completed primary school). This reinforces the user persona
Primary Research Insights
Interviews with 10 ex-offenders confirm the urgent need for jobs, community, and mental well-being—aligning with the ACTS brief (Family, Employment/Education, Pro-social Peers, Pro-social Activities, Spiritual & Mental Well-being)
Project brief
Relevance to client brief (ACTS)
The identified challenges—employment, isolation, and mental health—directly align with the five key focus areas of the ACTS brief
The need for community and mentors (as highlighted in interviews) reinforces the proposed mentee-mentor matching system, ensuring targeted support and meaningful connections
We understand their struggles
We understand their struggles
We see the hardships faced by ex-offenders and veterans in Singapore—isolated by stigma, burdened by depression, and blocked from opportunities. As a product designer, We have the experience and passion to create solutions that empower them. Together with ACTS, I am designing an app that serves as a bridge for their journey to redemption
We see the hardships faced by ex-offenders and veterans in Singapore—isolated by stigma, burdened by depression, and blocked from opportunities. As a product designer, We have the experience and passion to create solutions that empower them. Together with ACTS, I am designing an app that serves as a bridge for their journey to redemption
Concept
Concept
The above are the links to the App Store and Google Play Store. The design may have changed due to continuous updates, as I am no longer with the company.
The above are the links to the App Store and Google Play Store. The design may have changed due to continuous updates, as I am no longer with the company.
The above are the links to the App Store and Google Play Store. The design may have changed due to continuous updates, as I am no longer with the company.
Basic job search
Basic job search
With basic job search, every opportunity is within reach. Crafted with precision, this feature lets you explore tailored job listings with a single tap—seamlessly connecting ex-offenders and veterans to a world of possibility. Its intuitive design, honed through rigorous testing, ensures even the simplest navigation opens doors once thought closed. Experience the power to shape your tomorrow, today
With basic job search, every opportunity is within reach. Crafted with precision, this feature lets you explore tailored job listings with a single tap—seamlessly connecting ex-offenders and veterans to a world of possibility. Its intuitive design, honed through rigorous testing, ensures even the simplest navigation opens doors once thought closed. Experience the power to shape your tomorrow, today
Mentor matching
Mentor matching
Mentor Matching connects you to a guide who truly understands—someone to light the way through life’s uncertainties. With a tap, ex-offenders and veterans are paired with mentors who share their journey, offering wisdom and support through seamless messaging. Designed with care and validated through user testing, this feature turns isolation into connection. Find your ally, and step into a brighter future
Mentor Matching connects you to a guide who truly understands—someone to light the way through life’s uncertainties. With a tap, ex-offenders and veterans are paired with mentors who share their journey, offering wisdom and support through seamless messaging. Designed with care and validated through user testing, this feature turns isolation into connection. Find your ally, and step into a brighter future
CV review
CV review
CV Review transforms your past into a powerful future. With a seamless touch, ex-offenders and veterans can assess their skills and refine their CVs—guided by expert insights and a design so intuitive, it feels like second nature. Built through rigorous testing, this feature unlocks hidden talents and builds confidence for every job opportunity. Rediscover your worth, with every update
CV Review transforms your past into a powerful future. With a seamless touch, ex-offenders and veterans can assess their skills and refine their CVs—guided by expert insights and a design so intuitive, it feels like second nature. Built through rigorous testing, this feature unlocks hidden talents and builds confidence for every job opportunity. Rediscover your worth, with every update
Personalized content
Personalized content
Personalized Content brings your path to life. With a simple swipe, ex-offenders and veterans can choose exactly what they need—helpline support, job opportunities, volunteer roles, or workshops—delivered in a design so fluid it feels uniquely yours. Crafted through user insights and refined testing, this feature adapts to your aspirations, turning every selection into a step toward reintegration. Discover a world shaped by you
Personalized Content brings your path to life. With a simple swipe, ex-offenders and veterans can choose exactly what they need—helpline support, job opportunities, volunteer roles, or workshops—delivered in a design so fluid it feels uniquely yours. Crafted through user insights and refined testing, this feature adapts to your aspirations, turning every selection into a step toward reintegration. Discover a world shaped by you
User discussion forum
User discussion forum
User Discussion creates a space where every voice matters. With a gentle tap, ex-offenders and veterans connect in a forum that flows effortlessly—sharing stories, gaining strength, and building community with a design so intuitive, it feels like a conversation with friends. Crafted with user insights and perfected through testing, this feature turns silence into solidarity. Join a movement that lifts you up
User Discussion creates a space where every voice matters. With a gentle tap, ex-offenders and veterans connect in a forum that flows effortlessly—sharing stories, gaining strength, and building community with a design so intuitive, it feels like a conversation with friends. Crafted with user insights and perfected through testing, this feature turns silence into solidarity. Join a movement that lifts you up
Test
Test
At this stage, I iterated on the design based on usability testing with 10 internal and external users, focusing on priority features such as job search and mentoring.
This iteration led to significant improvements: 90% of users appreciated personalized preferences for simplifying content, found CV feedback helpful, and discovered a "kindred spirit" through discussions and mentor matching—boosting their confidence with an intuitive interface tailored for men aged 30-60 with low education levels.
At this stage, I iterated on the design based on usability testing with 10 internal and external users, focusing on priority features such as job search and mentoring.
This iteration led to significant improvements: 90% of users appreciated personalized preferences for simplifying content, found CV feedback helpful, and discovered a "kindred spirit" through discussions and mentor matching—boosting their confidence with an intuitive interface tailored for men aged 30-60 with low education levels.
Personalized content
"90% of users appreciated personalized preferences" reflects concerns about data usage beyond their control (addressed by this feature) and its benefits in simplifying helpline and job listings.
"90% of users appreciated personalized preferences" reflects concerns about data usage beyond their control (addressed by this feature) and its benefits in simplifying helpline and job listings.
CV review
"Found CV feedback helpful" highlights the value of this feature in identifying improvements and matching users with suitable job or volunteer opportunities.
User discussion & mentor matching
"Discovered a 'kindred spirit' through discussions and mentor matching" captures the boost in user confidence, supported by data relevant to both features.
Basic job search
The same data ("kindred spirit boosting confidence") applies here as well. While it could be repeated, I integrated it with mentor matching for a more efficient narrative.