{"id":116,"date":"2023-01-21T15:17:11","date_gmt":"2023-01-21T15:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/queenscommonwealthtrust.org\/?post_type=project&p=116"},"modified":"2025-06-27T05:40:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T05:40:39","slug":"alike-the-community-for-people-with-cancer-by-people-with-cancer","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/queenscommonwealthtrust.org\/projects\/alike-the-community-for-people-with-cancer-by-people-with-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"ALIKE – battling loneliness and isolation for cancer patients"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every year 12,500 young people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK; 83% experience loneliness during or after treatment; 4 in 5 want to interact with others in a similar situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brad Gudger, a two-time cancer survivor, realised that there was a lack of dedicated space for young people with cancer to support each other online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cLiving with cancer can be lonely. Speaking to others who have been there, done that, and worn the unflattering hospital gown makes all the difference. That\u2019s what the Alike app is for.\u201d   <\/em><\/p>\nBrad Gudger<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Alike<\/a> connects people affected by cancer and helps them to combat loneliness. Peer support through the app is available any time, any place, and at any stage of cancer, improving the mental well being of patients and survivors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alike is currently the only not-for-profit peer support app, designed specifically for cancer patients and survivors over the age of 18. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alike App connects people with cancer to prevent the loneliness and isolation that comes from battling the disease<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This app is the first of its kind and has already received an incredible response from the cancer community, the charity sector, and the wider public. Alike is working in partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust, Young Lives vs Cancer and Trekstock Cancer Support. Alike is also working closely with Macmillan Cancer Support and NHS England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The app ensures that peer support is available any time, any place, and at any stage of cancer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alike is among nineteen organisations that are currently enrolled on the Youth Ventures Programme (YVP). Through the YVP, QECT provides youth-led organisations with flexible funding, practical tools and technical support, and access to a global network of young leaders for 2+ years.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With QECT\u2019s support since March 2022, Alike has been able to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amass a community of over 3,000 cancer patients and survivors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Implement Safeguarding and Privacy Policies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Re-assess and evaluate its operations and strategy, resulting in confidence to present their work to other funders <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cQECT’s continued support over the years, from our initial COVID-19\u00a0grant to our multi-year funding through the YVP, has encouraged\u00a0other grant-making bodies and philanthropists to support our cause\u00a0leading to a vital increase in income year-on-year. Beyond this, the\u00a0insight and knowledge from the QECT network has really helped us\u00a0explore avenues of income sustainability to ensure we can continue\u00a0to provide\u00a0Alike’s\u00a0platform long-term without having to rely solely on\u00a0charitable fundraising.\u00a0\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nBrad Gudger<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Future work supported by QECT in 2023:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/strong>Alike aims to <\/strong>have more users and features on the app, bring positive advantages to community and  support Alike\u2019s sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click below to watch Alike’s video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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