Livewire 

 


 “Connecting, supporting and empowering through online communities”

·          A serious illness, chronic health condition or disability can profoundly affect the everyday lives of adolescents by increasing their risk of social isolation, disconnection, lower social support, peer acceptance and lower emotional wellbeing. Maintaining relationships with other young people via a shared experience is essential.

·          The young siblings of people living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability face unique teenage challenges – often suffering from social and emotional isolation and experiencing feelings of guilt, confusion and anger.

·          Many families struggle to cope with a child living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability. Parents and carers often suffer a heaving emotional burden, physical stress and financial pressure. As a group, carers have been found to have the lowest wellbeing of any sub-group in society.

Livewire.org.au provides three separate online communities for family members - a place where they can connect and share experiences with other people who understand what they are going through. 

Livewire Members – For young people, aged over 10 and under 21, living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability. It’s a safe place online where young people can support and connect with one another. Livewire Members helps them to be more resilient and gain control of their situation, and reduces the loneliness, boredom and social isolation they often experience.

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. It’s a place for them to meet other siblings, share experiences with people who understand what they are going through and gain the skills and knowledge to help them feel more in control of their situation.

Livewire Parents – For parents and carers of people living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability. It’s a place for parents and carers to connect with one another, share experiences, find relevant information and feel supported in their situation.

Livewire is assisting Starlight in achieving its mission of enabling every seriously and chronically ill child and young person in Australia access to its programs. 

Sign up to Livewire now:

·          Just go to www.livewire.org.au and click on ‘Join’

·          Contact the Customer Support team on (02) 8425 5971

Livewire has been developed with funding from the Australian Federal Government under the Clever Networks program and in-kind contributions from Starlight and its partners.

Livewire partners include:

• Clever Networks
• Mallesons Stephen Jaques
• Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• Australian Federal Police
• Freehills Foundation
• LoungeTech 
• Tigerspike
• HWW

Visit www.livewire.org.au to find out more about this fun and supportive space, including upcoming events, news and how to register for membership. Email info@livewire.org.au or call (02) 8425 5971.