The Starlight Children's Foundation, with the support of Optus, has launched the Livewire online community at Fremantle Hospital to give young people with a serious illness or disability a safe environment to make friends, gain peer support and share experiences with others who understand them.
Livewire and Optus have donated a netbook and wireless connectivity to the Fremantle Hospital to provide hospitalised young people with access to Livewire when they need it most. The computer is loaned out to patients to use from the comfort of their hospital bed.
The launch follows the successful roll out of Livewire in Western Australia in April when the program was delivered to Princess Margaret Hospital and Joondalup Hospital. Thanks to Optus, the program is now available in 22 hospitals around the country as part of the national roll-out into 26 locations by end of this year.
Livewire gives members the opportunity to chat with other young people, create blogs, play games, listen to music and watch videos. Research from the Murdoch University's Centre for Everyday Life reveals that having access to a supportive network of peers is highly valuable for young people facing such difficult circumstances.
For 10 year old Tenille Morrison, one of the first patients to access Livewire at Fremantle Hospital, the program has been a welcome source of entertainment and connection throughout her hospital stay.
Tenille is from the remote Mount Margaret Community, 300 km north of Kalgoorlie. She was flown to Fremantle Hospital to have a kidney biopsy and has spent 3 days on the children's ward. Spending time in hospital can be an isolating and scary experience for a young patient, especially when they are so far away from friends and family, and in an unfamiliar place.
Thankfully, Livewire was able to make Tenille's experience in hospital a more positive one. Throughout her stay she enjoyed listening to music, messaging friends, playing games and watching videos in Livewire.
"Today's launch of the Livewire Hospital Program at the Fremantle Hospital is great for young people. Livewire provides them with the opportunity to connect with other young people facing similar challenges so they won't feel alone," said Nora Lane, Clinical Nurse Manager Fremantle Hospital Children's Ward.
Optus' support for Livewire makes it possible for young people living with a serious illness or disability to stay connected during their hospitalisation; providing them with invaluable peer support and friendship in Livewire's online community.
"Communication breaks down barriers and connects people. We're proud to support the Livewire program so young people across Australia can communicate and support one another in a safe environment using Optus' wireless broadband technology. Since we launched the national Livewire program in 2009, we have connected 22 hospitals across the country," said Maha Krishnapillai, Optus Government and Corporate Affairs Director.
"Right now in Australia there are up to 50,000 young people experiencing social isolation, lower peer support and lower wellbeing as a result of living with a serious illness or disability," says Kylie Johnson, Head of Programs, Livewire.
"With the latest internet applications such as chat, blogs, forums, music, video and games, as well as a team of moderators who ensure a safe environment for all, Livewire is filling a gap in the lives of these young people by providing them with a fun place to hang out and interact with peers who are going through similar experiences as them," said Ms Johnson.
This program was initially established with funding from the Australian Government under the Clever Networks program, and now relies on the support of donors and major corporate partners such as Optus to continue to grow the community.
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.
For further details or to arrange an interview please contact:
Heather Marano, Livewire, Ph: 02 8425 5929, Mob: 0450 904 875, email: heather.marano@livewire.org.au
Kasia Ciszak, Optus Corporate Affairs, Ph: 02 8082 8315
About Livewire.org.au
Livewire.org.au is an independent subsidiary of the Starlight Children's Foundation and is supported by funding from corporate partners and donors. www.livewire.org.au
About the Starlight Children's Foundation
Since 1988, the Starlight Children's Foundation has been providing innovative programs designed to lift the spirits of these children, young people and their families when they need it most. There are over 600,000 child and teenager admissions to Australian hospitals every year and currently Starlight is only able to reach "1 in 3". Starlight's ultimate goal is to enable every seriously ill child, young person and their family the opportunity to access and benefit from Starlight's innovative programs.www.starlight.org.au
About Optus
Optus is an Australian leader in integrated communications. The company specialises in a broad range of communications services including mobile, local, national and long distance telephony, business network services, internet and satellite services and subscription television.
For Optus, corporate responsibility and business success go hand in hand. We believe that our responsibility as a leading corporate is more than just solid financial performance. Our responsibility to our society, our people and environment is also important. We partner with organisations that work to improve the welfare of the communities in which we operate. Optus is the exclusive telecommunications partner of Starlight and Livewire Program. We partner with organisations where there are shared objectives and where through the use of our technology, products and services, we can help build better communities and remove barriers that may prevent people from accessing the benefits of technology. For more information please visit www.optus.com.au/corporateresponsibility.