20/05/2025
The Starlight Children's Foundation brings joy and laughter to seriously ill children and young people, helping them cope with the pain, fear, and isolation of hospital and treatment. They achieve this through play, creativity, and social connection, partnering with health professionals to enhance the overall healthcare experience.
1. Bringing Happiness to Hospitals:
Starlight Express Rooms:
These are medical-free zones in hospitals where children can play, connect, and receive social support.
Captain Starlight:
Visits children on hospital wards, bringing laughter and play to those who are too unwell to leave their beds.
Fun Events and Activities:
Starlight organizes events like Easter Hat Parades and craft activities to provide joy and entertainment.
Starlight Moments:
Creates experiences of fun, joy, and happiness for families with a palliative child.
2. Supporting Healthcare Professionals:
Partnering for "Total Care":
Starlight works with health professionals to support the overall well-being of children.
Reducing Anxiety and Stress:
By providing fun and play, Starlight helps reduce anxiety and stress for children and families.
Improving Treatment Compliance:
Starlight's programs contribute to increased treatment compliance and reduced missed appointments.
3. Reaching Across Australia:
National Reach: Starlight works in every state and territory of Australia, providing support to children and families across the country.
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children: Starlight provides support to children in remote Aboriginal communities.
The Listen Carefully Project: A national collaboration led by Starlight to improve how children and young people are listened to in the healthcare system.
4. Wish granting:
Starlight Wishes: Grant wishes for children, which can be travel, hero, experience, or gift wishes, providing a distraction from treatment and surgery.