How was your day?
Get it off your chest.
For older people, people living alone, and anyone missing company: after retirement, losing a partner, or when friends and family are far away. A few minutes to notice how you're going, and who you can talk to.
Which best describes you?
This changes which support lines come first. You can change it any time.
Everything you enter stays on this phone. Nothing is sent to your family, your doctor or anyone else. Unladen Porch is a prototype. It is not a medical or emergency service and is not connected to any aged care provider or government agency. · Give feedback
Take a moment.
Sit somewhere comfortable. Have a glass of water or a cup of tea. You don't have to sort everything out right now.
Breathe with this
What you might be feeling
- Very alone, or forgotten
- Shaky or frightened after a fall or a scare
- Tearful, or missing someone badly
- Worried about what's ahead
These feelings are common, and they can ease when you talk to someone.
If you've had a fall or feel unwell
If you're hurt, can't get up, or have chest pain, call 000. For advice from a nurse any time, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. If you just need a friendly voice, FriendLine is on 1800 424 287.
Ground yourself
Look around. Name them, out loud or in your head.
Call someone now
Add family, a friend or a neighbour in so they're here when you need them.
Not sure who to tell?
If you don't want to worry your family, or there's no one nearby, there are other people you can talk to. Or write down what's on your mind, just for you.
What helps after
How was today?
A few gentle questions, once a day. Over time it can help you notice when you need more company or support.
Please talk to someone now
You said you've had thoughts of harming yourself or not wanting to be here. Please call one of these now. If you're in immediate danger, call 000.
Light load
This phone isn't letting the page save. Your result shows here but won't be kept.
After a fall
Even if you weren't hurt, let your GP know about a fall. They can check what caused it and help prevent the next one. If you live alone, ask about a personal alarm.
Your safety
You said you didn't feel fully safe. That matters. If someone is pressuring, threatening or neglecting you, the NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline (1800 628 221) can help, confidentially. If you're in danger, call 000.
Look after your body
You said you're not feeling well. Rest, drink some water and eat something. If it's getting worse, call your GP or healthdirect on 1800 022 222. In an emergency, call 000.
What might help
People you can call
This isn't a medical assessment. It's a way to notice how you're going over time.
How it's been going
Last 14 days
Check-ins
This phone isn't letting the page save, so check-ins won't be kept.
Privacy & your data
Add a PIN, download what you've entered, or delete everything from this phone.
Staying connected, staying well
Ideas and services for the hard parts of getting older or living alone. Tap a heading to open it.
Feeling lonely
- Loneliness is very common, and it says nothing bad about you.
- Small contacts count: a chat with a shopkeeper, a neighbour, a phone call.
- FriendLine (1800 424 287) is a free, anonymous line just for a chat.
- Try one regular thing each week: a walk group, a class, a men's shed, a library or community centre.
Losing a partner or friends
- Grief can come in waves for a long time. That's normal.
- Anniversaries, birthdays and holidays are often hardest. Plan something for those days.
- Talking about the person you've lost can help.
- If grief is making it hard to get through each day, talk to your GP.
Retirement and losing your role
- Leaving work can mean losing routine, purpose and the people you saw every day.
- Volunteering, mentoring or learning something new can bring some of that back.
- Give yourself time. It often takes a year or more to settle into a new rhythm.
Health worries and falls
- If you've had a fall, tell your GP, even if you weren't hurt.
- healthdirect (1800 022 222) has nurses you can talk to, 24/7. In an emergency, call 000.
- Ask your GP about a personal alarm if you live alone.
- My Aged Care (1800 200 422) can arrange help at home.
When someone close is taking advantage
- Being pressured about money, your home or your will, being threatened, or being neglected is elder abuse. It is never OK, even when it's family.
- The NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline (1800 628 221) gives free, confidential advice.
- You can write down what's happening in your private record.
- If you're in danger, call 000.
Feeling left behind by technology
- Lots of people find it hard to keep up. It isn't you.
- Your local library often runs free help sessions.
- Be Connected (beconnected.esafety.gov.au) has free, simple lessons.
- Be careful of scams: no real bank or government office will ask for your password.
Money worries
- The National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) gives free financial counselling.
- Services Australia can check whether you're getting everything you're entitled to.
- Talking about money worries early gives you more options.
Caring for someone
- Many older people care for a partner. It's tiring, and you need support too.
- Carer Gateway (1800 422 737) offers free counselling, respite and coaching.
- Unladen Home is a version made just for carers.
Signs you're carrying too much
- Going days without talking to anyone
- Not wanting to leave the house
- Not eating properly or sleeping badly
- Feeling like a burden
- Drinking more to get through the evening
Noticing it is a good first step. You deserve support.
When to get more help
If you've felt low or lonely most days for two weeks or more, talk to your GP. A GP can set up a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist, and can help you find local groups and services.
People to call
Save the ones that apply to you. They stay on this phone and show up on the Help now screen.
Support lines
Someone to talk to
Sometimes family is far away, or you don't want to worry them. Here are other people you can talk to, and services that can help. You choose what to do, and when.
From your organisation
Your community centre, club or aged care provider can add its own numbers here.
People who can help
- FriendLine. A free, anonymous chat line for anyone feeling lonely, 1800 424 287.
- Your GP. For your health, your mood, and finding local services.
- My Aged Care. Help at home, social support and more, 1800 200 422.
- Neighbours and local groups. Community centres, libraries, clubs, men's sheds and faith groups.
- Carer Gateway. If you're caring for someone, 1800 422 737.
Text or chat instead of calling
For when talking out loud isn't possible, or feels like too much.
For particular situations
Asking for help early, before things get harder, gives you more options.
Spiritual and religious support
Some people find strength in prayer, ritual or their faith or cultural community. Others find it in nature, music, gardening or quiet. Whatever gives you meaning counts.
Many faith groups and community centres run morning teas and visits for people of any faith or none.
Words to start with
The first sentence is often the hardest. You could say:
"I'm not ready to make a complaint. I just need to talk this through."
"Can this stay between us? Is there anything you'd have to pass on?"
"I haven't really spoken to anyone in a few days."
"I'm finding it hard since my wife died."
What happens if I tell someone?
- Counsellors, peer supporters and helplines keep what you say private. The main exception is if someone is at serious risk of harm. If you're unsure, ask at the start.
- Your doctor keeps your health information confidential. You decide what your family is told.
- Your private record in this app stays on your phone unless you choose to share it.
Not ready to tell anyone?
That's OK. You can write down what happened, just for yourself, and decide later.
Numbers and services are for New South Wales and Australia-wide. Check with your organisation for its own services.
Write down what happened
It stays on this phone. It isn't a report, and nothing is sent anywhere. If you later decide to raise something, notes written at the time are easier to rely on than memory.
My entries
Entries can't be edited, so each one shows when it was written. To add something, write a new entry.
No entries yet.
If you decide to share it, you can download it or send it to yourself.
Your phone, your data
PIN lock
Ask for a PIN when the app opens, and after it has been in the background for a minute.
PIN is on.
The PIN stops someone else opening the app on your phone. It doesn't encrypt what's stored, so keep your phone locked too. If you forget it, you can delete everything and start again.
Hide the screen
Tap the eye button at the top of any screen to cover the app straight away, for example if someone is looking over your shoulder. Tap to come back, or enter your PIN if you've set one.
Download my data
Download everything you've entered (check-ins, private record and contacts) as a text file. You could keep a copy, or show it to your GP or counsellor.
Delete everything
Deletes your check-ins, private record, choices, contacts and PIN from this phone.
Delete everything from this phone? This can't be undone.
About Unladen Porch
Unladen™ Porch is a prototype made by Co-Synthesist Pty Ltd, Newcastle NSW. Unladen™ is a trade mark of Co-Synthesist Pty Ltd. It isn't a medical or emergency service, and it isn't connected to any aged care provider or government agency. The questions haven't been clinically validated yet.
What's stored: your choices, check-ins, private record, saved contacts and settings, only in this phone's browser. Nothing is sent to anyone. There are no accounts, analytics or trackers.
Feedback: the feedback form is the only part of Unladen Porch that sends anything, and only when you press Send. It doesn't include anything else from the app.
Keep in mind: if you clear your browser data or remove the app, what you've entered goes too. Download a copy first if you want to keep it.
Version 0.1 prototype · October 2026