There are approximately 450,000 young Australians living with serious illnesses, chronic health conditions and disabilities. These conditions often impact their every day lives and quite often leads to absences from school, sport and other social activities making them feel isolated and lonely.
Livewire is a new online community, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Starlight Children’s Foundation and the first service of it’s kind in Australia, created to connect and support these young people.
Livewire is completely unique from Facebook and MySpace because the content on the site is specifically tailored to the needs and ability of its users. Teenagers who have a serious illness, chronic condition or disability want the same features that other young people use (like blogs, music, games, entertainment) but the interactive features of the site such as chat and messaging has been a huge drawing card because it gives these children the chance to make friends and talk about the things that make them laugh, that worry them and how they’re feeling. Chat rooms are also supervised by trained moderators.
Livewire on Wheels, a bedside access program, has already rolled out at Canberra Hospital and The Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick. Throughout 2009, the program will aim to target an additional seven hospitals right throughout Australia, including The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Perth, Mater Hospital in Brisbane, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Livewire is safe and secure. The site is supported by the Australian Federal Police and applicants need to verify a number of details pertaining to their condition and go through a screening process before they can join, which includes the need for parental consent.
Any young Australian aged over 10 and under 21, who is currently living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability who wishes to join Livewire or find out more information should visit www.livewire.org.au or contact member.services@livewire.org.au.
