The Starlight Children’s Foundation, with the support of Optus, has launched the Livewire online community at the Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) 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 two netbooks and wireless connectivity to RPA Hospital to provide hospitalised young people with access to Livewire when they need it most. The computers are loaned out to patients to use from the comfort of their hospital bed.

One netbook is located on the children’s ward to be loaned out to young patients there and the other is loaned out through the Youth Consultancy team to adolescents located all throughout the hospital.

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.

Livewire is supporting 30,000 young people living with a serious illness or disability and their families, 8000 of which are active Livewire users. This is a fantastic achievement made possible by Livewire’s expansion into hospitals nationally.

RPA Hospital is the final hospital to launch in NSW thanks to Optus. It follows successful launches in ten other facilities in NSW, following the initial launch at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead over a year ago. There are over 30 000 children and young people admitted to these 11 facilities every year. Thanks to the NSW roll out, Livewire is able to better reach young people living with a serious illness or disability across the state, when they need it most.

Thanks to Optus, the Livewire program is now available in 24 hospitals and facilities around the country, as part of the national roll-out.

Livewire is collaborating with Youth Consultancy, based out of RPA Hospital, to reach adolescents based all throughout the hospital.

Youth Consultancy provide holistic support for adolescent and young adult patients at RPA Hospital aged 12-24 including advocacy, support, education and liaison. They also facilitate leisure activities, games and resources on the ward and in their off ward “chill” space where patients can take ‘time-out’ away from the medical environment.

Youth Consultancy in RPA says that Livewire plays an important role in providing holistic support for adolescents in adult hospitals.

“Today’s launch of the Livewire Hospital Program at the RPA 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 a RPA Hospital representative.

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 24 locations 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 between the age of 10 and 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.