He explained: “Before I thought of creating an app, I always knew I wanted to create a youth-led charity that provided dedicated peer support for people impacted by cancer.
“Thanks to volunteering in the charity service and with the NHS, before my relapse I had a strong group of friends who had also experienced cancer. Alike, as a charity, is the culmination of all my personal and professional experiences. What motivates me has always been the memory of being in a hospital bed and feeling a type of loneliness that words can’t give full credit to.
“What I’ve seen in my community was a problem with access. There’s some great organisations that help our community, but if you’re in a rural area, or less mobile, or facing life after treatment, it can be much harder to make those connections. I’m not an expert in developing apps or charities. I’m an expert in lived experience. What I didn’t have skills in, I reached out to experts in the field. This is what makes Alike special. Alike isn’t my charity. It’s by and for everyone in the community.”
The app’s feedback has been “really encouraging” said Brad, with many people emailing and posting on the app how grateful they are for the service.
What’s more, added Brad, is young people are making connections and sharing their experiences in a safe place.