Starlight Children's Foundation Australia
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Mission Statement
Starlight's mission is "To brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families". Because sick kids are still kids at heart... When a once-bright life becomes dulled by needles, hospital visits and painful treatments, Starlight helps sick kids forget their illness and re-discover the joy of childhood. We know there's more to treatment than medicine. That's why since 1988, we've partnered with Australian health professionals to develop programs based on positive psychology principles that support the 'total care' of our children and teens. Like the young people in our care, we are distinctly Australian. Our unique programs are the result of extensive research and respond to the specific needs of Aussie kids and teens. We know what kids and their families are facing when serious illness or injury consumes their lives. We disrupt the relentless cycle of pain and trauma and offer a welcome break so that sick kids can simply be kids. We believe fun fights fear and wins every time.
About This Cause
Starlights programs are based on research by the World Health organisation. In hospital and Out of hospital programs are outlined below ; Starlight are probably best known for our magical Wishgranting program A dream come true, An incredible gift of hope during the toughest of times. A Starlight Wish is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a seriously ill child and their family. An incredible gift of hope during the toughest of times, Starlight Wishes help sick kids and their families dream big and leave the pain of treatment behind. From the moment a child is told their Starlight Wish is to be granted the excitement begins. Dreaming, planning and talking about the wish is a great distraction from treatment and surgery. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel that lifts spirits and brings families together. Starlight Express Rooms There's a Starlight Express Room in every children's hospital in Australia. We need to keep our doors open 7 days a week, 365 days a year so we're there when sick kids and their families need us the most. A fun haven for play ! Where mayhem, joy and laughter are the order of the day. We believe that play is the work of children. While sick kids often experience a very adult world of stress and trauma, play is the powerful force essential to developing resilience, wellbeing and a sense of normality. Our Starlight Express Rooms are a medical free haven for sick kids and their families seeking a welcome break from the relentless cycle of medical treatments and procedures. It's the place we get down to the serious business of having fun! Run by Captain Starlight and our wonderful volunteers, our Starlight Express Rooms are unique spaces filled with laughter, smiles, fun people and enjoyable activities. For kids too sick to leave their beds, Starlight TV delivers all the antics and fun of the Starlight Express Room live to their bedside daily. Captain Starlight also works with doctors and nurses on the wards bringing smiles to young faces everywhere. At night the Starlight Express Room transforms into a teen-only hang out space, where our Livewire facilitators offer inspiring skills-based workshops that encourage creative expression. Livewire Connecting with sick teens Did you know there are a growing number of teens in our children's hospitals and these young people have different needs to younger children? Designed to combat loneliness and isolation, Livewire connects teens and young people (10-20) experiencing serious illness or disability through creative workshops when they're in hospital, as well as via an online community. Livewire helps teens navigate life with a serious illness, support each other and most importantly, to focus on the positives of what they can do, not what they can't. By day, Livewire delivers workshops and activities on the wards, whilst at night the Starlight Express Room becomes a teen-only hang out. A chill out zone where young people with serious illness or disability can be social, build friendships, feel independent and connect with others who know what they're going through. It's a place that's not school and definitely not the domain of doctors, nurses, younger kids or other adults. A place where they can just be teenagers. Livewire transforms the teen hospital experience by distracting them from pain and stress and enabling them to feel understood, accepted and supported. Livewire facilitators "get" what teens are experiencing. They provide dynamic activities that enhance personal development, encourage engagement and foster a sense of normality in a relaxed environment. Uniquely Australian, Livewire was developed in 2006 in partnership with leading Australian health professionals to address the growing numbers of teenagers living with serious illness and disability. It can't be found anywhere else in the world. Livewire.org.au: A virtual hang out Livewire Online Connecting sick teens Adolescence is hard enough without the challenge of a serious illness or disability. Designed to combat loneliness and isolation, livewire.org.au connects teens and young people (10-20) experiencing serious illness or disability, through a safe online community. It helps teens navigate life with a serious illness, support each other and most importantly, to focus on the positives of what they can do, not what they can’t. For those who prefer to stay in their hospital room or are feeling isolated at home, they can interact online via a safe, vetted Australia-wide community. Captain Starlight Fighting for fun! The healing power of play. Medical treatment is only part of the picture when it comes to the wellbeing of a seriously ill child. While health professionals focus on treating illness, Captain Starlight is the super hero who captures a sick kid's imagination and creates a healing environment filled with entertainment, fun, laughter and joy. Sporting a silver cape, Captain Starlight is professionally trained to break down barriers and connect with kids to make mayhem, joy and laughter the order of the day. Our Captain Starlights are a talented bunch. They're highly skilled professional performers who draw on their unique talents - dance, music, art or performance to help sick kids through their most challenging moments. Captain Starlight's role may seem simple - playing games, telling jokes and performing magic tricks - but it's a critical part of a child's overall care. Uniquely Australian, our Captain Starlight program was developed in partnership with leading Australian health professionals to complement the Australian healthcare system - it can't be found anywhere else in the world. You'll find Captain Starlight working their magic in wards and in Starlight Express Rooms in every children's hospital in Australia. And most recently we've developed fortnightly Captain Time Wow Podcasts so kids can stay connected to Captain Starlight even when they're between hospital visits or receiving treatment at home Healthier Futures Initiative Supporting Indigenous communities, prevention is the cure in remote and regional communities throughout Australia. Throughout the year, Captain Starlight joins forces with health professionals to treat children living in remote Indigenous communities and regional areas. By engaging with our Indigenous kids through song and dance, we've helped to improve attendance at health clinics by up to 60%. Captain Starlight builds trust and sparks lasting relationships between health professionals, Indigenous kids and the community, easing stress and pressure on health professionals