Living Their Best Life Online: The Livewire Power of Co-Design and Connection
Tracks
Ballroom 1 - In-Person & Virtual via OnAIR
| Wednesday, March 26, 2025 |
| 11:45 AM - 12:05 PM |
| Ballroom 1 |
Overview
Angela Grant, Starlight Children's Foundation
Presenter
Angela Grant
National Programs Manager
Starlight Children's Foundation
Living Their Best Life Online: The Livewire Power of Co-Design and Connection
Abstract
Children and young people with serious, chronic health conditions and disabilities can experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges compared to their physically healthy peers. They frequently report social isolation and struggle to build and maintain peer relationships due to the complexities of their conditions. For this group, social relationships are crucial to their mental health and wellbeing, making dedicated online communities like Starlight’s "Livewire Online" program essential. The members of this community often reflect that Livewire is a safe space, promoting social connection and wellbeing, which allows them to “live their best life”.
As discussions around government regulations limiting young people's access to social media continue, it is critical to recognise the value of programs like Livewire Online and ensure they provide a safe and supportive environment. Over the years, Livewire has evolved to engage its audience more effectively and meet their wellbeing needs. This evolution was guided by co-design principles, ensuring that the voices of young people were central to its development. The recent site rebuild reflected this approach, and young people were actively involved in shaping both the platform and its evaluation.
This presentation will showcase how Livewire incorporated community input for co-design, the positive outcomes of partnering with young people in the platform's evolution, and the reported impact on their social connection and well-being. It will also discuss the challenges faced and the future plans for the platform in an increasingly complex social media landscape.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Online communities supporting social connection and mental wellbeing are essential for children and young people with chronic health conditions and disabilities
2. In line with best practice, codesign principles ensure that young people’s voices shaped the online platform and its ongoing evaluation to meet the needs of this vulnerable population
3. Engaging young people in Livewire has led to positive outcomes in social connection and well-being, but ongoing challenges exist in adapting to a changing social media landscape and potential regulatory restrictions.
As discussions around government regulations limiting young people's access to social media continue, it is critical to recognise the value of programs like Livewire Online and ensure they provide a safe and supportive environment. Over the years, Livewire has evolved to engage its audience more effectively and meet their wellbeing needs. This evolution was guided by co-design principles, ensuring that the voices of young people were central to its development. The recent site rebuild reflected this approach, and young people were actively involved in shaping both the platform and its evaluation.
This presentation will showcase how Livewire incorporated community input for co-design, the positive outcomes of partnering with young people in the platform's evolution, and the reported impact on their social connection and well-being. It will also discuss the challenges faced and the future plans for the platform in an increasingly complex social media landscape.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Online communities supporting social connection and mental wellbeing are essential for children and young people with chronic health conditions and disabilities
2. In line with best practice, codesign principles ensure that young people’s voices shaped the online platform and its ongoing evaluation to meet the needs of this vulnerable population
3. Engaging young people in Livewire has led to positive outcomes in social connection and well-being, but ongoing challenges exist in adapting to a changing social media landscape and potential regulatory restrictions.
Biography
Angela Grant has over 20 years’ experience in the For Purpose sector designing and delivering programs to support the wellbeing of children & young people and their communities. She was a Board Director for the Australian Association for Adolescent Health for 6 years and is currently National Programs Manager at Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Angela has qualifications in English Literature, Drama and Positive Psychology and is an accredited Strengths Practitioner. She is passionate about amplifying the voice of young people and supporting dynamic teams to create change and positive impact through the programs they deliver.
