Thanks to the generosity of the Freemasons of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, the children’s charity Lifelites has donated a brand-new bespoke package of life-changing technology worth tens of thousands of pounds for life-limited and disabled children on the Isle of Wight.
The specialist technology gives the children supported there the opportunity to do things they and their parents never thought possible: to play, be creative, control something for themselves and communicate, for as long as possible.
Thanks to this assistive and inclusive technology, these children will have the chance to escape the confines of their conditions, communicate their wishes and fears and connect with their loved ones; something that has proven especially difficult due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The donation will cost Lifelites around £50,000 over its 4-year life cycle and includes all the special technology, training for hospice staff on how to get the most out of it with the children that they work with and technical support to keep it all in good working order for the hospice users for whom every second counts.
As part of the package of assistive technology, Lifelites has donated inclusive gaming equipment such as the Xbox with an adaptive controller and switches that enables children to play and control something for themselves. It also gives the children’s parents, brothers and sisters the chance to join in and play together as a family. The Virtual Reality set gives children the opportunity to do things they’ve never thought possible, such as walking along a beach, swimming with turtles, climbing Everest or sitting around a camp fire.
Simone Enefer-Doy, Chief Executive of Lifelites, says:
“Following a difficult year, Lifelites is delighted to be able to donate a package of magical technology for the children and young people using the services of Isle of Wight children’s hospice at home. The Lifelites-donated equipment is often specially adapted and accessible for use by anyone, irrespective of any physical restrictions they may have.
“We know that every second counts for these children and their families, so all the Lifelites-donated technology is mobile which means it can reach every child, wherever they are in the hospice – even if they can’t get out of bed – as well as in the children’s own homes.
Article continues below this advertisement “We couldn’t have provided this package if it wasn’t for the generosity of our supporters, including the freemasons of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight., so for this we are incredibly grateful.”
Jane Hazeldine, of Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s Children Hospice at Home services, says:
“I know that this equipment will hugely benefit the children that we care for, but it also equips and supports the staff to do the very best that they can do. We know that the children will despite their conditions and despite, their limitations will get so much pleasure and joy and benefit from it. So a huge thank you to Lifelites.”
David Perkis, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire and Isle of Wight says:
“We are very pleased to be long-term supporters of Lifelites work, and it is exciting to see how Lifelites-donated technology can make a real difference to the lives of life-limited and life-threatened children using hospice services. I know it continues to be a difficult time for a lot of people, but seeing how technology has the power to make vulnerable children’s lives better is a real boost.”
