Lifelites and Wooden Spoon Partner to Bring Assistive Technology to Children's Hospices

Lifelites was the proud recipient of incredible support from Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, throughout our technology installation season from September 2025 to March 2026.

Four Wooden Spoon regions (Oxfordshire, Yorkshire, Wales, and Ireland) donated £5,000 each. They raised a total of £20,000 to help provide the latest assistive technology for children to our palliative and healthcare partners in their local areas.

The generous donations funded life-changing equipment, including our Cosmo Switch system, VR headsets, Magic Carpet, and Tilt and Touch Table. This inclusive play equipment enables children and young people with complex needs to play, create and communicate in ways that would otherwise be impossible.

Impact on Children’s Hospices: Stories from the Frontline

Helen & Douglas House Hospice (Oxfordshire)

Kat Williams, Head of Care at Helen & Douglas House Children’s Hospice in Oxford, explained how Lifelites technology has transformed the care they provide:

“It’s incredible when you think about how far the technology has come and what it offers children living with life-limiting conditions. The Lifelites Eyegaze, the Magic Carpet, and the sensory equipment have been amazing for our children. And the technology isn’t only for the children living with life-limiting conditions, it’s also used by their siblings, so they can play together. It’s for all the family so they can interact together.”

Ryegate House (Sheffield)

Beth Gratton, Play Leader at Ryegate House, shared the positive impact within their setting:

“Before Lifelites, Ryegate House had no access to assistive technology. Now, the technology provided to us by Lifelites is making a massive difference and has had such a positive impact within our setting. It has allowed our children with life-limiting conditions and complex needs to explore new experiences. For most of our children, it is the first time having access to this kind of inclusive play equipment.

We are so thankful for the donation from Wooden Spoon Yorkshire and the opportunities that this amazing technology has brought to our children. It has made such a difference and has made the children’s stay with us a much more positive and fun experience! Thank you.”

Bringing Inclusive Play to Wooden Spoon’s TagFest 2026

Lifelites was also delighted to be invited to run a sensory area at Wooden Spoon’s TagFest 2026, which took place in Coventry on June 20th. The annual event sees teams of children and young people living with learning difficulties come together for a day of rugby, family fun and support.

The day was filled with laughter and enthusiasm, highlighted by a special visit from Her Royal Highness Princess Anne. Beyond meeting incredible families, another highlight was the mascot race, where each team’s mascot ran a 100-meter dash in full costume!

During the event, we had the pleasure of meeting the Wooden Spoon team, including Steve Murphy from the Oxfordshire region, who was on hand to present Lifelites with a giant cheque.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Access in 2026 and Beyond

Barry Monahan, Director of Projects and Systems at Wooden Spoon, highlighted the future of the partnership:

“We are delighted that by working with Lifelites, Wooden Spoon has been able to support so many seriously ill children in the UK and Ireland, and we are looking forward to continuing this partnership and working together going forward. As we move through 2026 and into 2027, our regional network will look to help many more children with complex disabilities enjoy a childhood of fun and accessibility.”

Richard Lupton, Senior Engagement and Fundraising Officer at Lifelites, added:

“The generous ongoing support of Wooden Spoon is truly inspiring and helps us continue providing life-changing children’s hospice technology, training, and support to special education and care services across the UK and Ireland. Together, the partnership between Wooden Spoon and Lifelites is making a tangible difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable children, and their families, in our local communities.”

Learn more about how you too can support Lifelites to provide life-changing technology to families that need it the most