New Livewire online community connects young Australians living with a serious illness or disability
Announcement posted by Starlight 19 Feb 2009
19 Feb 2009
New Livewire Online Community Connects Young Australians Living With A Serious Illness, Chronic Health Condition Or Disability
The Hon. Senator Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, today launched Livewire, a new online community which is the first of its kind in Australia, to help improve the emotional and social wellbeing of children and young people aged over 10 and under 21, living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.
A wholly owned subsidiary of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and co-funded by the Australian Government’s Clever Networks program, Livewire is designed to provide a free, safe and supportive online community for children and young people to hang out, connect, share experiences, creatively express themselves and know that they are not alone in their situation.
An estimated 450,000 young Australians aged between 10 and 21 are currently living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability. These conditions can profoundly impact their everyday lives, leading to frequent absences from school, sport and other social activities. The internet provides an innovative way to reach and connect these young people through a supportive online community.
“Connecting and supporting young people with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability through a safe online community has been a vision of the Starlight team for many years,” said Jill Weekes, CEO of the Starlight Children’s Foundation. “Livewire helps to distract that young person from their pain, helps them better understand their illness and connects young people facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone.”
Unlike other social networks, Livewire is a secure, moderated community tailored to the needs of its private members.
“By combining the latest in online and mobile technologies with a safe and secure approach, we are developing a great online community for young people who are also dealing with a disability, chronic condition or serious illness,” said Omar Khalifa, Managing Director of Livewire. “With video, music and games, Livewire is a fun place to check out. However, it’s the young people who create blogs, chat and interact that will shape Livewire, keep it relevant and a make it a really great place to hang out.”
The Hon. Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, said “The Livewire online community is a great example of broadband and digital technology assisting the support and well-being of people whose lives have been disrupted by chronic illness or disability. Livewire helps young people to stay in touch with those they love and to connect to gain support from others who may be sharing a similar situation.”
Livewire aims to have a significant impact on the social and emotional wellbeing of its members, to help relieve stress and anxiety, alleviate boredom and to help empower them to develop new life skills and make new friends.
Prominent child and adolescent psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg commented, “Too often, it goes unrecognised that young people with chronic illness or disability can be affected by anxiety disorders, mood disorders, self harm and even suicidal tendencies, and that these go hand in hand with their situation.
“Livewire is wonderful because you have 24 hour a day, immediate connection with a community of people feeling exactly the same way. This can instantly reduce their sense of isolation and put them in touch with someone who understands,” he concluded.
Livewire complies with strict safety measures to ensure the safety and security of its members. Each member’s parent or guardian is contacted personally to verify their identity before joining the community. What’s more, chat hosts trained by the Australian Federal Police are present seven days a week to moderate discussions.
The program is made possible by an investment of $7.2 million from the Australian Government’s Clever Networks program, and support from its launch partners. This funding has enabled Livewire to develop a long lasting, sustainable program that will support, inspire and encourage its members.
Livewire aims to connect 20,000 young people, siblings and parents by the end of 2009, and will work with and through other Not For Profit organisations, such as The Spastic Centre and Diabetes
The next phase of Livewire will be the launch of Livewire Mobile which will enable young Australians to access the site and its community via their mobile phone. Livewire on Wheels, a bedside access program, has already rolled out at
This will be followed by the creation of dedicated Livewire sites for both parents and siblings of young people with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability, enabling them to share experiences with others who understand what they are going through, and a research program which examines the therapeutic benefits of Livewire services and the impacts of Internet use on members’ social and emotional well-being.
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.
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For further details, to arrange an interview or photographs of Livewire members using the service please contact:
Vida Cheeseman, Howorth Mob: 0410 597 547 or vida@howorth.com.au
Jasmin Athwal, Howorth Ph: 02 8281 3838 or 0421 831 160 or email: Jasmin@howorth.com.au
About Livewire.org.au
Livewire.org.au is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Starlight Children’s Foundation and is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Clever Networks Program, Starlight Children’s Foundation and in-kind support from Livewire’s launch partners. www.livewire.org.au
About the Starlight Children’s Foundation
Since 1988 Starlight has provided its services Australia-wide to help seriously ill children and their families get through difficult times caused by illness or disability. Starlight’s programs are delivered in and out of hospital providing positive distraction to children and young people in their time of need, restoring the fun, laughter and joy that serious illness and disability takes away. www.starlight.org.au
Livewire is supported by funding and in-kind contributions from the following partners :
The Clever Networks Program
The Livewire project is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Clever Networks program. Clever Networks is a program of the Australian Government Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. The Clever Networks program delivers innovative broadband services to communities in regional, rural and remote
The Australian Federal Police (AFP)
The AFP is working to ensure all members remain safe while inside the Livewire community by providing training to the chat hosts. The AFP’s primary role is to enforce Commonwealth criminal law and protect Commonwealth national interests from crime in
TigerSpike Pty Ltd
TigerSpike is providing the hosting platform for Livewire and building Livewire’s
LoungeTech
LoungeTech is responsible for creating Livewire’s brand, look and feel, the site design and has built the media platform from ground up. Established in 1999, LoungeTech has been developing and delivering internet and mobile technology solutions for corporations, government agencies and not for profit organisations in
HWW Pty Ltd
HWW is providing Livewire with up to date content and information such as gigs and movie reviews. HWW is the leading creator, aggregator and publisher of quality content across new and old media including major online publishers, pay TV providers, wireless and print publishers. For more information on HWW please visit www.hww.com.au
Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC)
The ABC is
The Powerhouse Museum is providing Livewire with a mix of fun content and games for its members to enjoy. The Powerhouse is
NOTES:
1 Children’s Hospital Education Research Institute (CHERI) Report, September 2008