About Us

19 Nov 2008

Right now in Australia, Livewire estimates there are 50,000 young people experiencing social isolation, lower peer support and lower wellbeing as a result of living with a serious illness or disability. 

• Their lives are regularly disrupted by hospital stays, treatments and absences from school.  
• They experience disconnection from their peers and every day life which impacts their self esteem and overall health outcomes. 
• Often they are also considered to be “different” and struggle to find others who genuinely understand what they’re going through.

A young person's serious illness or disability has an impact on the whole family. 

• Caring for a child with an illlness, health condition or disability can be relentless and lonely with little time for opportunities to connect with other people having similar experiences.  
• Siblings face unique challenges as teenagers - often suffering from social and emotional isolation and also coping with the demands of caring for a relative with illness or disability.

Livewire offers a solution for these young people, siblings and parents & carers by facilitating connection, interaction and support between people who are experiencing similar situations.  

What is Livewire?

Livewire  is a free and safe online peer support program connecting socially isolated individuals affected by a serious illness, chronic condition or disability.  Take a look at the online Livewire magazine to gain an insight into the peer support and connection enabled through Livewire.org.au. Click here to view the Livewire magazine. 

There are three online communities:

• Livewire Members - for young people, aged over 10 and under 21, living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability; a place where they can hang out, make new friends, share experiences, creatively express themselves and know that they are not alone.
• 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; a place where siblings can meet, be supported and share experiences with people who understand what they are going through.
• Livewire Parents - for parents and carers of people living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability; a place where parents can connect with others who understand what they are going through in a supportive environment created just for them.

Livewire.org.au is an initiative of the Starlight Children's Foundation and is supported by major partners including Optus.  It was established with funding from the Australian Government under the Clever Networks Program.
If there is anything else you would like to know about Livewire email us at member.services@livewire.org.au


last updated: 2 September 2010