A donation of life-changing technology has been made to Acorns Children’s Hospice offering children the chance to do things they never dreamed of.
Acorns for the Three Counties, based in Worcester, has received brand-new, state-of the-art equipment worth thousands of pounds from children’s technology charity Lifelites.
Many of the children cared for by Acorns have complex conditions, but the specialist technology from Lifelites offers new opportunities to play, be creative and communicate, for as long as is it possible.
Susan Hayward, Head of Care at Acorns for the Three Counties, said: “We are extremely grateful to Lifelites for this incredible donation of state-of-the-art technology. Being able to offer the children we care for access to such pioneering equipment makes a huge difference to the quality of the time they spend with us.
“The computers and equipment provided by Lifelites is always so popular with the children and young people visiting the hospice and provides hours of fun and laughter. On behalf of everyone at Acorns, thank you to Lifelites for this generous donation.”
A team from Lifelites visited the Bath Road hospice last week to present the equipment and to offer training and technical support services to Acorns staff and volunteers.
The technology, which Lifelites provides for free, costs around £50,000 over four years. After four years, the children’s technology charity returns to replace the equipment with the latest, up to date models.
Simone Enefer-Doy, Chief Executive of Lifelites said: “We’re delighted to be able to donate lots of our magical technology for the children and young people at Acorns. The huge range of equipment is specially adapted so that it can be used by anyone, regardless of their disability.
“Every moment is precious for these children and their families, and this technology will give them the opportunities they deserve to make the most of whatever time they have left.
“We couldn’t have provided this package if it wasn’t for the generosity of our supporters, so for this we are incredibly grateful.”
Among the pieces of equipment donated is an Eyegaze. This technology allows those with limited mobility to control a computer using just their eyes. By using the Eyegaze, children who struggle to communicate with their family and their carers are able to do so – often for the very first time.
The hospice also received a special portable bundle of technology for its outreach team, which provides care for children out in the community. This special bundle, known as the Tech Trunk, can travel wherever the children are, whether that’s in their own home or in hospital.
Other items donated include iPads and touchscreen computers along with lots of games and other software specially designed to be enjoyed by children with disabilities.
Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people across Worcester and the West Midlands, as well as support for their families.
In the past year, Acorns has cared for more than 870 children and supported over 1,.220 families, including those who are bereaved.
Lifelites has donated equipment to every children’s hospice in the British Isles over the last 20 years and continues to provide new technology and ongoing support to ensure that children in hospices have a chance to escape the confines of their conditions.
Lifelites were only able to donate this package of technology due to the generosity of supporters. They were The Sobell Foundation, The Provincial Grand Lodge of Herefordshire, The Provincial Grand Lodge of Hertfordshire, The Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire, the Mark Benevolent Fund, GamesAid and Microsoft.
To find out more Acorns, please visit www.acorns.org.uk
ENDS
Photo caption: Life-changing technology has been donation to Acorns Children’s Hospice by Lifelites. Pictured is Cailtin with a Tech Trunk.
For more information or for interview, photograph or filming opportunities, contact the PR and Communications team:
David Chamberlain: 01564 825020 / 07817 612422 / david.chamberlain@acorns.org.uk
Nicki Robinson: 01564 825062 / 07814 302153 / nicki.robinson@acorns.org.uk
Notes to editors:
Due to the sensitive nature of Acorns care services it refrains from using the words ‘terminal’ or ‘terminally ill’ in its press releases and public communications when describing the children who use Acorns and the conditions that they have. Instead, Acorns uses the words ‘life limited’, ‘life limiting’, or ‘life threatening’. Acorns kindly requests that you respect this in your communications when referring to Acorns Children’s Hospice. Acorns children have a lot of living to do. Thank you.
• It costs £27,000 every day to run Acorns services providing care for children and support for their families. The charity relies heavily on donations to fund the majority of its activities.
• To find out more about Acorns, please visit www.acorns.org.uk
