Children receiving care at Haven House have received a donation of life-changing technology worth thousands of pounds from children’s charity Lifelites.

Many of the children using the services at Haven House have complex conditions and life-limiting conditions, but the specialist technology which Lifelites has donated can give them the opportunity to do things they never dreamed of. It enables them to play, be creative, control something for themselves and communicate, for as long as is it possible.

The technology, along with training and technical support services which the charity provides for free, costs around £50,000 over four years. After four years, the charity will return to replace the equipment with the latest, up to date technology.

One of the pieces of equipment donated was an Eyegaze. This is a piece of equipment which 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 first time.

The hospice is also receiving a special portable bundle of technology for its Hospice at Home 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, touchscreen computers along with lots of games and other software specially designed to be enjoyed by life-limited children.

Adila Ahmed, Haven House's Community and Wellbeing Team Lead, said “We are incredibly grateful to Lifelites and all their supporters for this wonderful package of equipment. Our children and families will all benefit enormously from having access to such an incredible range of technology, which is targeted specifically to meet their particular needs.

"At Haven House we are focused on being innovative and strive to offer our children and young people the very best experiences available. This technology will empower our children and encourage them to reach their potential. It will make a real difference and we can’t wait to start using it.”

  

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 Haven House. 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.”

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 Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex, Freemasons of Essex, the Mark Benevolent Fund, GamesAid and Microsoft.