Seek Out to Help Out was a community focused game of hide and seek devised during the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020. Created for the London borough of Hounslow, its intention was to encourage a sense of solidarity, between the struggling local businesses and a rapidly changing demographic.
The proposal was the result of extensive quantitative and qualitative research, using Brentford as its test bed in the said borough.
The accumulated data highlighted several issues, notably the difficulty for the town's retail and hospitality, to attract and maintain regular local custom.
The influx of new professionals, attracted by extensive residential redevelopment into a previously predominantly working class area, posed particular challenges.
Taking it's cue from local currency campaigns and 'buy local' token initiatives, a fun reward based proposal was developed. One that would encourage both the newly arrived and long established residents, to discover or rediscover their locality, while fostering relationships with the town's shops, bars, pubs and restaurants.
Local businesses, the 'Hiders' in the game, start by promoting offers on the Help Out to Seek Out app. These can be claimed by the 'Seekers', simply by following clues on the application, to hidden tokens thoughtfully placed by the Hiders in and around the locality.
Once discovered, scanning the printed QR code within, reveals the offer won and the route back to the business to claim it.
A fun experience to foster a sense of belonging for individuals, friends and family, as well as encouraging local spending.
Seek Out To Help Out
George Podoski 2020
Instagram: @georgepodoski