Casal TV, virtual social centre for older people through interactive television

Ben Schmidt on 7 January 2026

A remote, television-based community service to reduce loneliness and promote well-being among older adults

Casal TV is an inclusive digital service designed to bring community engagement, structured activities and social interaction into the homes of older adults, particularly those experiencing isolation or mobility limitations. The project uses everyday technology, a television connected with a simple device, to create a virtual “social centre” that older participants can access easily without requiring advanced technological skills or a computer.

Through Casal TV, users can take part in live daily sessions that mirror the range of activities offered in traditional day centres. These sessions are facilitated by professionals in socio-cultural animation and psychology and include physical exercise classes such as yoga, tai chi and stretching, cognitive stimulation workshops, memory and game sessions, creative and cultural programmes (music, theatre, arts), and social celebration events that invite participation and mutual engagement.

The core objective of Casal TV is to improve the physical, emotional and cognitive health of older adults while combating unwanted loneliness. The platform places special emphasis on accessibility: an intuitive setup process involving a MiniPC, webcam, and remote control transforms the television into an interactive hub where individuals connect in real time with peers and facilitators throughout the day.

Participants have reported that the service not only helps structure their daily routines but also fosters meaningful human connection and support. Family members often indicate increased peace of mind knowing their relatives are engaging with a supportive community. Casal TV exemplifies how digital tools can be applied in the social-care ecosystem to enhance inclusion and quality of life for older people.

Characteristics of innovation

Aging, Bank of innovations, Independent living, Link with the community, Mental health, New service, New technological tool, Personalization of the service, User empowerment

Location

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Partners / Founders

Generalitat de Catalunya (Department of Business and Labour), economia social

Genesis

Casal TV was initiated by Suara Cooperativa as a response to the high prevalence of unwanted loneliness among older adults and the barriers many face in accessing physical community spaces, the concept originated as part of the cooperative’s innovation work to extend social care through digital means. It was developed under the framework of Singulars Projects funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya, integrating professional facilitation with accessible home technology to bring social activities directly to users’ living rooms.

Level of implementation

By 2025, Casal TV had been formally presented at international forums on social innovation and pilot data indicated that a substantial majority of participants reported feeling more accompanied and engaged after participation. Internal service reporting shows a global participant satisfaction rating of over 9 out of 10, with 97% of users feeling accompanied and actively engaged through the platform’s activities.

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Dinder Club, a dedicated dating & social-plans app for people with intellectual disabilities

Ben Schmidt on 31 December 2025

Facilitating safe social, affective and romantic connections for people with intellectual disabilities

Dinder Club is a mobile application designed specifically to support social, friendship, and romantic relationships for adults with intellectual disabilities. The app provides a dual structure: a “dates” section where individuals can connect privately, and a “plans” section where group activities are organized, such as cultural outings, leisure events or social meet-ups, enabling users to meet peers with similar interests.

What distinguishes Dinder Club from conventional dating apps is its commitment to accessibility, informed consent, safety, and the specific social-emotional needs of its users. Access to the app is restricted to people with an intellectual disability (equal or above a defined threshold), who are affiliated to a recognized social entity. Registration involves a validation process (including a “test of affective-sexual knowledge” and user profiling), to ensure that applicants are capable of providing informed consent and understand basic concepts related to intimate relationships.

The application interface is developed with “easy-read / easy-understand” standards (in collaboration with a social-disability federation) to make content and navigation accessible. Plans and activities are accompanied by facilitators, to support participants during social outings, which adds a layer of supervision and support beyond digital connection.

Beyond facilitating connections, Dinder Club frames itself as a social-transformation project aimed at expanding relational opportunities and autonomy for people with intellectual disabilities, addressing the scarcity of safe, adapted spaces for affective and social life in this community.