Lifelites 25 Community Projects 2025 Winners

To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we launched our Lifelites 25 programme. We are proud to announce the seven winners of our inaugural Lifelites 25 Community Projects. The projects were selected by a public vote and an independent panel to receive bespoke packages of assistive technology for childrenwith life-limiting conditions.

From AI-powered avatar robots to sensory music technology, these projects represent the future of inclusion. Explore the 2025 winners below and see how these life-changing tools are helping young people communicate, play, and express themselves without limits.

Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust

Project Summary

Our AV1 robot project helps children with cancer stay connected to their school community during treatment, reducing isolation and supporting emotional well-being. The robots bridge the gap between the hospital bed and the classroom, allowing children to attend lessons, participate in assemblies, and join in playtime, all from their hospital room. The robot moves around the classroom, turning to look at the speaker and mimicking gestures like nodding or shaking its head, making interactions feel more natural. The “whisper mode” also enables children to communicate quietly with their classmates.

In addition to supporting the child’s education, the AV1 robots help their peers understand what the unwell child is going through and where they are. This fosters inclusivity and connection. By maintaining social and educational engagement, the AV1 robots ease reintegration into school, reduce anxiety, and improve mental health, helping children return to school with confidence.

Location: Worscestershire

Installation

“Lifelites’ support will have a huge impact on tackling isolation in children facing childhood cancer. We are really grateful for the support and time invested with the training.”

“Thank you so much for giving this charity & our children this wonderful opportunity.”

OmniMusic

Project Summary

We believe everyone has a human right to take part in the joy of cultural life and express themselves creatively.

OmniMusic’s ambitious, accessible music programmes empower children and young people with complex needs to thrive by making the music that matters to them. Where traditional instruments fail, we use Assistive Music Technology (AMT) and adapted instruments to level the playing field.

Only 26% disabled people can find a teacher to meet their needs, excluding too many from the joy and wellbeing benefits that music brings. We want to reach more children across Greater Manchester in specialist schools, making music possible for the children let down by mainstream provision.

Support from Lifelites will help OmniMusic expand across Greater Manchester (GM), reaching 480 pupils in 10 special schools over the next 2 years. More assistive technology will enable us to form a mobile Accessible Instrument Library for Greater Manchester.

Location: Greater Manchester

Installation

“Lifelites equipment will enable some of our most excluded learners to contribute to both individual and group music-making activities, in new accessible ways. The technology removes so many physical and communication barriers, it enables inclusion, agency and voice in a way that our traditional instruments simply cannot reach.”

“Ellie & Dan are exceptional trainers, super friendly & made learning fun and accessible.”

“We are so grateful for Lifelites’ support and for making the long trip to visit it us. This technology will make a huge difference to OmniMusic, and will enable us to reach even more children and young people who we previously haven’t had enough equipment to support.”

Rainbow Hub

Project Summary

At Rainbow Hub, we believe that every child should have a voice; disabilities and complex needs should never be a barrier to learning. That’s why we’re hoping to introduce life-changing technology in our specialist services to help children communicate, make choices, and — most importantly — have fun!

With your support, we can provide:

💡 Eye Gaze Technology – enabling children to communicate, play, learn, and interact

📱 iPads & Pupil PCs – enabling children to communicate, participate in lessons and develop vital skills

🔘 iClick Switches – enabling independence in everyday tasks, like switching on lights and using kitchen appliances in our life skills kitchen

🎪 Sensory Tent – enabling sensory exploration in a safe place, delivering engaging, themed experiences.

All technology will be used daily, making a real positive impact in the lives of children and their families.

Your support will help us break down barriers and create opportunities for every child to thrive.

Location: Lancashire

Installation

“It’s like a dream come true for Rainbow Hub to receive all this equipment and training on how to use it. Many lives will be improved.”

“I can’t really put into words just how grateful we are or how much of a difference the equipment will make. It’s simply life changing for some of our children. We are already thinking of ways that we can make best use, giving as many children as possible the opportunity to enjoy the equipment.”

Ryegate House

Project Summary

At Ryegate House we want to give our children new ways to play, interact and communicate. Providing technology will offer the children the opportunity to learn new skills, improve mobility and give them new ways to communicate. Many of our children are nonverbal and nonmobile, so having advanced technology with give them a new way of learning and provide opportunities to develop their mobility and physical skills. With the chance to have new ways of communicating and expressing themselves, the children could have much more positive experiences and stays with us at Ryegate, allowing them to feel understood, and allowing them to make choices and decisions for themselves. This will also lead to the children to feel more comfortable and allow them to continue to build relationships and bonds with our staff members. We also aim to create spaces where the children can relax, feel safe and have fun!

Location: Sheffield

Installation

“I think using this equipment will benefit the children at Ryegate House as it will support communication and development by teaching them cause and effect and giving them enjoyment.”

St Ann’s Foundation

Project Summary

At St. Ann’s, we actively integrate innovative practices and technologies that support personalised learning paths for each young person’s unique set of challenges, strengths, and learning styles

We actively integrate innovative practices and technologies that support personalised learning paths for each young person.

Assistive technologies are critical tools in our classrooms, helping students enhance their communication skills and improve their engagement. By providing resources that cater to different learning needs, we empower our students to express themselves and connect with their peers in meaningful ways.

Our facilities are thoughtfully designed to accommodate students with complex needs. Dedicated classrooms offer flexible environments where tailored learning can take place. These spaces are outfitted with various resources that facilitate hands-on learning, collaboration, and movement, allowing students to thrive academically and socially.

We recognise that many of our students face significant challenges. Our approach is centred on empowerment. We enable them to take control of their learning journeys. Our committed teachers and therapists work closely with each student, offering guidance and support that encourages self-advocacy and personal growth.

We prepare our students not just for academic success, but also for a fulfilling and engaging life within and beyond our school community.

Location: London

Installation

“It was incredible, this technology will have a huge impact on our children and we will be forever grateful.”

“We are absolutely blown away to be able to give our children and young people opportunity to use assistive technology.”

St Elizabeth Hospice

Project Summary

St Elizabeth Hospice has been developing Zest since 2015, working closely with East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and other services, to ensure young adults aged 14 and upwards with progressive and incurable illnesses, have a smooth transition into adult care. Zest provides the specialist care, tailored treatment and services they need to be able to enjoy life to the full including a varied activities programme – adapted for maximum inclusion – encouraging participation in sports, games, crafts, music and other social activities. Technology can add further dimensions, but our limited, outdated and incomplete kit isn’t very appealing, especially for our more cognitively able attendees. Lifelites technology will help young people who are non-verbal to have a voice and be included in decision making, reduce isolation for those whose condition makes it difficult to socialise with peers and add connections through games and entertainment for a positive effect on metal wellbeing.

Location: Ipswich

Installation

“This equipment will have an enormous impact. We work with young adults that historically have had limited services and investements. This wide range of equipment will work with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilites.”

“We are so grateful for both the equipment but also the time invested in training. Ellie, Dan & Bryan have been so patient and informative. Thank you!”

Swings and Smiles

Project Summary

Swings & Smiles would be proud to partner with Lifelites to bring innovative technology to life-limited children, enhancing their opportunities for fun, freedom, and friendship, no matter how complex their needs are. This collaboration would introduce immersive sensory experiences, interactive storytelling, and accessible gaming, ensuring every child & young person can experience the joy of play in a way that suits them best.

With Lifelites’ technology, life-limited and disabled children at Swings & Smiles would have the freedom to explore virtual worlds, express creativity, and connect with others in meaningful ways. These resources will bring fun and excitement while also offering comfort and stimulation. Most importantly, they will help build friendship by creating shared moments of joy and connection with family and peers.

This partnership would enable us to continue providing inclusive, engaging experiences for all, no matter their challenges.

Location: Berkshire

Installation

“Lifelites technology opens up a world of possibilities for the disabled children we support – from sensory play to accessible gaming and creative expression. We can’t wait to start using it with our families and see the smiles it brings!”