Champion Spotlight: Jen Plews

Lifelites caught up with one of our Champions, Jen Plews, Healthcare Assistant at Butterwick Hospice, to find out more about her work and how she uses Lifelites technology with the children and family she supports.

How long have you been working at Butterwick Hospice?

I have worked at Butterwick since it opened 26 years ago.

What’s the best part of your role?

Everything… I have always considered myself incredibly privileged to be part of the Butterwick team, working with such amazing and inspirational children, young people and their families.

What’s the most challenging part of your role?

Probably one of the most challenging aspects of my role is breaking down the barrier of what a lot of people’s idea of a children’s hospice is. I’m always asked that it must be so sad, so I’m always trying to explain that there is constant noise, constant laughter, never a dull moment, no two days are the same to me – that is the hardest part of my job.

How long have you been a Lifelites Champion?

I have been a Lifelites Champion for about 4 years now.

What is your favourite piece(s) of Lifelites technology and why?

I absolutely love the Tilt and Touch screen. It is so versatile – from watching Peppa Pig (still a great favourite), to creating amazing swirly masterpieces with even the lightest of touches. And the fact it can be moved around to wherever a child/young person wants it: bedroom, multi sensory room, etc.

How does Lifelites technology enhance or transform the experience for the children who use your service?

We have a young man who uses the Eyegaze at school but does not have his own. The first time he used ours during a respite visit, he was able to tell us so much. It made his personality shine even more brightly. We know our children have good understanding by their non-verbal reactions to how we communicate with them, but to get back their thoughts and feelings via the Eyegaze is incredible 🥹.

Do you or your colleagues have any unique, innovative or fun ways of using Lifelites technology?

I think we just use Lifelites technology quite routinely, really. We can quite often have 3 iPads on at once in different areas of our large lounge, each with something different playing on them. We have children with very diverse tastes, so in one day we could have someone listening to Little Mix, someone else listening to Pan Pipes and someone watching Mr Bean!😂

What advice or tips would you offer other Champions who may be new to the role?

Just to try and be a part of everything that Lifelites offer… and if you have any worries concerning equipment, just get in touch with Bryan as he is an absolute whizz at sorting out technical difficulties. 😊

Any other comments about Lifelites and the technology you would like to share?

Lifelites is amazing… as a very small children’s Hospice, we have benefited immensely from their input 😊

Learn more about how we support our palliative care partners and support our work.