Frequently Asked Questions
What is the relationship between Livewire and the Starlight Children’s Foundation?
Livewire is an initiative of the Starlight Children’s Foundation and is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Clever Networks Program and funding and in-kind contributions from Starlight and Livewire partners.
Livewire was set up as a separate entity to Starlight to ensure that Livewire would have the focus required for this major project without impacting on resources for Starlight’s core programs and that fundraising efforts could be separated in a transparent manner.
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What is the need for Livewire.org.au?
Livewire was established to support the needs of families in distress as a result of dealing with the impact of a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.
- An estimated 450,000 children and young people aged over 10 and under 21 years are living with the impact of a serious illness, chronic health condition or a disability in Australia.
- Serious illness or disability can profoundly affect the everyday lives of children and young people by increasing their risk of social isolation, disconnection, lower peer acceptance and lower emotional well-being. These problems are compounded by long hospital stays.
- Many families struggle to cope with a child living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability. Parents and carers often suffer a heavy emotional burden, physical stress and financial pressure.
- The brothers and sisters of young people living with a serious illness or disability face unique teenage challenges. These siblings often suffer from social and emotional isolation and can experience feelings of guilt, confusion and anger.
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What is Livewire?
Livewire provides free and safe online communities for families affected by a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability. It's a place where members, siblings and parents can connect with one another in a supportive environment.
Livewire (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 and in kind contributions from Starlight and Livewire partners.
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What is Livewire's Mission?
"To connect, support and empower young people living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability and their families, through online communities".
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How does Livewire deliver on this mission?
Livewire facilitates connection, empathy and understanding between people who are experiencing similar situations by offering three customized, safe online communities featuring social networking tools and entertainin content:
- Livewire Members – for young people, aged over 10 and under 21, living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.
- Livewire Siblings – for young people, aged over 10 and under 21, who have a brother or sister living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.
- Livewire Parents – for parents and carers of people living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.
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What are the outcomes Livewire aims to deliver?
The program outcomes of Livewire are members who:
- Feel less isolated
- Receive more social support
- Are more resilient
- Are empowered
- Experience less bullying and predation
- Can better overcome anxiety and stress
- Are alleviated from boredom
- Can creatively express themselves, and
- Feel an increased sense of belonging to the community
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How is Livewire different from other social networking sites?
Livewire provides online communities for specific target groups, tailored to meet their needs. Livewire’s online communities are private, safe, secure and moderated.
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How is Livewire kept safe and secure?
Ensuring that Livewire remains safe and secure is a top priority. We are working with the Australian Federal Police to ensure that our website, sign up processes chat host and volunteer training are optimised to keep our members safe.
We are working with SIFT Pty Ltd, who are leading specialists in providing a broad range of information security services, on ensuring the security of the web application, hosting environment and sign-up process.
Members can only get entry into the community after our membership team have either received a signed parental consent form (for members under the age of 18) or received a proof of identity form (members over the age of 18 and under the age of 21).
For members under 18, the Livewire Team will contact the parent to confirm that it is their signature on the parental consent form and a second person (usually a nominated health professional or NFP representative) is phoned to provide a second verification of the registrant’s identity. For members over 18 and under the age of 21, the proposed member is contacted to ensure they meet all criteria along with a second person (usually a nominated health professional or NFP representative) to provide a second verification of the registrant’s identity.
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What happens to a member when they turn 21?
Depending on their needs, they may stay a member of Livewire for as long as they are interested and able to contribute appropriately to the community. If a member demonstrates leadership qualities or expresses interest in taking on a leadership role inside the community then we will provide them with chat host/moderator training and encourage them to continue to participate in the community in that way.
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How can I become a volunteer?
We are always looking for enthusiastic internet savvy volunteers to ensure the members of Livewire are kept informed and engaged.
We have two types of volunteer roles available:
- Volunteer Chat Host - help out in our chat rooms and create member interactions
- Volunteer Content Contributors – provide up to date interesting information on a range of topics to our members i.e movies, health issues, celebrity news
For more information about volunteering please check out our volunteer section.
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What is the Livewire Bedside Access Program?
The Livewire Bedside Access Program provides bedside access to Livewire for young people in hospital.
The program involves rolling out purpose built Livewire on Wheels trolleys with a secured laptop and Livewire Loaner Laptops to be used at the bedside. Livewire also implements the wireless internet connection in the hospitals.
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What are Livewire on Wheels trolleys?
Livewire on Wheels trolleys are purpose built hospital trolleys with a secured laptop locked down to the Livewire site.
The Livewire on Wheels trolleys have been specifically designed to fit hospital specifications. The units double as a meal trolley, thereby minimising the normal storage problems in a hospital. The units are designed to comply with hospital infection control, OH&S, ergonomic and portability standards.
More information on our
Hospital Partners.
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What are Livewire Loaner Laptops?
Livewire Loaner Laptops are laptops locked down to the Livewire site which are loaned out to young people in hospital and used at the bedside.
Livewire is rolling out Livewire Loaner Laptops in paediatric hospitals, paediatric wards in adult hospitals and respite centres across Australia.
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In which hospitals is Optus supporting the roll out of the Livewire Bedside Access Program?
Starting at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Optus will support Livewire to deliver the Livewire Bedside Access Program to 26 metropolitan and regional hospitals across Australia by September 2011. The first hospitals to be rolled out after The Children's Hospital Westmead include:
- John Hunter Children's Hospital (NSW)
- The Sutherland Hospital (NSW)
- Wollongong Hospital (NSW)
- Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (WA)
- Gosford Hospital (NSW
- Wyong Hospital (NSW)
- Royal North Shore Hospital (NSW)
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (NSW)
- Princess Alexandra Hospital (QLD)
- Geelong Hospital (VIC)
- Joondalup Hospital (WA)
- Ballarat Base Hospital (VIC)
- Bendigo Base Hospital (VIC)
- Sunshine Hospital (VIC)
- Northern Hospital (VIC)
- Maroondah Hospital (VIC)
The remaining hospitals to benefit from this program will be announced in the months ahead.
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How is the Livewire Bedside Access Program rolled out?
Livewire consults with the key hospital representatives and identifies the opportunity. Livewire then seeks permission from the hospital to implement the program. Approval is required at the ward level, at the hospital executive level and at the Area Health Service level. Once the Livewire Bedside Access Program is approved in the hospital, Livewire implements the program and trains key hospital staff. Livewire provides ongoing support and assistance.
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last updated: 16 December 2009