Champion Spotlight: Claire Potterton & Claire Floyd

Lifelites caught up with two of our Lifelites Champions, Claire Potterton and Claire Floyd to find out more about their work at Naomi House and Jacksplace, and how they use Lifelites’ technology with the children and families they support.

Claire Potterton – Play and Activities Team Lead

How long have you been working at Naomi House and Jacksplace?

2 years

What’s the best part of your role?

The privilege of being able to make a difference to a child/ young adult and their families. I love that my role is to create opportunities that may not be possible to access otherwise and that we can create a space for families to engage with each other in a positive way, make memories, laugh, cry and be together in a safe, familiar environment. I love that I have the opportunity to add value and enrich their days together.

What’s the most challenging part of your role?

Although my role allows me to create these special, magic moments it can be emotionally challenging when families are struggling and grieving. We have the opportunity to build such strong connections with the families so ultimately it feels special to know that we can support them through each phase of their journey.

How long have you been a Lifelites Champion?

Since early 2023

What is your favourite piece of Lifelites technology and why?

I absolutely love the PODS Sensory Tent. It’s something that we can easily move to wherever it is needed, there are no boundaries or limits for its use. We create an immersive space to go with our monthly themes and the dome always enhances this space.

The PODS Tent gives that sensory feedback that so many of our children and young adults require. It a lovely space for the children and young adults to be in for some calming and quiet time but it’s also a really great to space to do one to one music, Tac Pac, sensory stories, etc.

This bit of kit is so versatile and used daily by the children, young adults and siblings in-house.

How has the introduction of Lifelites technology enhanced or transformed the experience for the children who use your service?

We use Lifelites technology on a daily basis and having this equipment means that we can find ways to adapt and enhance an activity.

The Eyegaze is an incredible bit of technology that we are so grateful to be able to share with families during their time here. It means we can provide an opportunity for the Eyegaze to be explored in a comfortable environment and therefore open up opportunities externally for the families but also to be able to support with communication for our children and young adults.

All of the technology allows us to create accessible, adapted sessions that can support the needs of the children and young adults. Often the use of an iPad or the Tilt and Touch Table can add that extra bit to a session to make it more accessible. It also just creates added fun!

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

To explore and speak to other Lifelites champions as well as Lifelites trainers.

We recently had a visit from Dan (Lifelites trainer) for some training and this was so helpful for everyone involved.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice on the equipment because when it is used properly, you can get great results and a true benefit to the users.

I am still fairly new to this but I am slowly learning and realising that exploring and playing with the equipment is the best way to discover what you can do with it all.

I would also recommend attending the Super User Day. It’s a great opportunity to learn new things, meet others and share ideas.

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

We use the PODS Sensory Tent to enhance our themes for our immersive room. This always brings a lot of fun to our activities and can bring the theme to life.

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

We are so grateful for the technology we have, the support to use it and the knowledge that we can apply for more in our update soon!

Claire Floyd, Activities Team Youth Worker.

How long have you been working at Naomi House and Jacksplace?

Since 2004

What’s the best part of your role?

Enabling young adults to achieve more independence.

What’s the most challenging part of your role?

Working with children and young adults towards the end of their lives.

How long have you been a Lifelites’ Champion?

I started working with Lifelites in 2005!

What is your favourite piece of Lifelites technology and why?

My favourite piece of technology is the ‘it click on plus/click on’.

The reason is that a young person or child with limited mobility can use it for everyday equipment such as fans, food mixers etc. this enabled them to have more independence.

How has the introduction of Lifelites technology enhanced or transformed the experience for the children who use your service?

Lifelites technology has made it easier for children to communicate, use equipment and has enhanced their sensory experiences.

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

If a child doesn’t take to a piece of Lifelites technology straight away don’t dismiss it. They too must learn the cause and effect of a piece of equipment and this can take time.

If possible, hold quick pop-up training sessions for other members of staff. The more people who know how to use the Lifelites technology the more it will benefit the children we are working with.

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

We love to use the ‘it click on’ while cooking. We plug in hairdryers to melt chocolate & we plug in mixers to make cakes.

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

We have had several parents whose children struggle to communicate. They are told about several apps that might help their child. These apps can be expensive & parents are unsure which app would work best for their own child. When they visit us, we can offer them the chance to trial these communication apps provided to us by Lifelites on our iPads. We can help them navigate each app which can ease some of their anxieties and help them to help their child. We also can show them the equipment that Lifelites provided to help us attach the iPads to wheelchairs/beds etc.

I also had a work colleague come to me for advice about communication apps. This was for her grandson who does not verbally communicate.

I showed her all the apps and she went home with all the info to show her daughter. Several weeks later, my colleague came into work and played me a recording of her grandson’s app saying “Hi Nanny”. She cried with so much joy that he could communicate and thanked me for making it possible.

I told her that Lifelites had made it possible by giving us the apps and iPads in the first place!