Watch Alisha’s Q&A interview at Care Network Cambridgeshire’s 40th Anniversary Event, supported by Care Network employee, Sandra

“You don’t have to be elderly to receive care.” It’s a message Alisha feels passionately about, and one she shared with an audience at Care Network Cambridgeshire’s 40th anniversary celebration.

Sharing her story at our 40th anniversary

One of the most memorable moments of Care Network Cambridgeshire’s 40th anniversary celebration was hearing Alisha speak openly about her experiences.

During a live conversation with Sandra, who has supported her as an employee of Care Network, Alisha described the challenges she had faced following brain surgery, the difference receiving support had made and her hopes for the future.

Speaking publicly about such personal experiences takes courage. But Alisha wanted people to understand that care and community support aren’t just for older generations.

Her story is a powerful example of what can happen when someone receives the right help at the right time.

Feeling isolated and unsure where to turn 

When Alisha was referred to Care Network, she was recovering from her second major brain surgery and had recently moved to a new area. Living alone, experiencing seizures and struggling financially, she felt overwhelmed. “At the time I felt quite lonely and very isolated,” she recalls.

Even everyday expenses, such as gas and electricity bills, had become a source of worry. She didn’t know the area, had few local connections and wasn’t sure where to turn for help.

When her housing officer contacted Care Network Cambridgeshire on her behalf, it brought a much-needed sense of relief. “It was kind of like the light at the end of the tunnel.” For the first time in a difficult period, Alisha felt she had someone to turn to.

Practical support that helped Alisha feel safe

One of the immediate priorities was helping Alisha feel safer living independently. Because she had been experiencing seizures, she worried about what might happen if she needed emergency assistance while alone. 

Care Network helped arrange a community alarm with a falls detector, alongside a key safe so emergency services could access her home if necessary. These relatively simple measures made a significant difference. “It made me a lot less anxious as well,” Alisha explains. Having that reassurance helped her feel more secure and confident at home.

From a cold bungalow to a place to call home

Care Network also helped Alisha navigate the benefits system and access financial support she was entitled to. This was particularly important because she had previously been refused Personal Independence Payment (PIP), despite her circumstances.

With support to address her financial difficulties, Alisha gained greater independence and began transforming her bungalow into a home she could enjoy.

Care Network Employee, Sandra, remembers how different things were when she first visited. The property was cold, with bare concrete flooring — far from the comfortable home Alisha needed while recovering from surgery.

But gradually, Alisha began making changes. “Little by little, she has made it into something that is truly a home,” Sandra recalls.

For Alisha, being able to pay her bills, furnish her home and feel comfortable in her own surroundings has brought enormous relief. It has also given her the freedom to spend time with friends and enjoy everyday experiences again. “Being with my friends, socialising, that is everything to me.”

The difference care network and a familiar friendly face can make

While practical and financial support were essential, Alisha says the personal connections she developed were just as important. Having Sandra as a consistent, friendly presence gave her someone she could trust and talk to. 

Rather than constantly meeting different people, Alisha valued the reassurance of knowing who would be visiting and building a relationship over time. Sandra’s warmth and positive personality helped Alisha feel more comfortable and confident. “It really helped me come out of my shell,” she explains.

Sandra also encouraged Alisha to become familiar with her new surroundings and develop local connections. These conversations helped her find motivation and something positive to work towards. Gradually, Alisha began to feel less isolated and more confident about getting out into her community.

“You don’t have to be elderly to receive care” Perhaps the most important message Alisha wants to share is that support is for people of different ages.

When she first considered asking for help, she noticed that information about care services often featured older people. As a young adult, she struggled to see herself reflected in those materials and questioned whether support was really intended for someone like her.

She also admits that asking for help didn’t come naturally. But her experiences have changed her perspective. Alisha believes there is still stigma around younger people needing support with their physical or mental health, finances or everyday independence. She wants others to know they shouldn’t feel embarrassed or wait until their situation becomes overwhelming.

Looking forward to a brighter future

Today, Alisha is looking towards the future with renewed confidence. She has greater financial independence, a home she enjoys living in and a growing sense of connection to her community, and plenty of ambitions.

Alisha hopes to find employment, develop a career, make new friends and eventually welcome a guide dog into her life. These are the everyday hopes and aspirations of a young woman looking forward to what life might bring. For Alisha, the difference is that she now feels more able to pursue them.

By sharing her experiences at Care Network’s 40th anniversary celebration, Alisha has helped demonstrate why the charity’s work continues to matter — and why nobody should assume they’re too young to need support.

Her advice to anyone facing similar challenges is simple: “I’d say reach out.”

Could Care Network help you or someone you know?

For 40 years, Care Network Cambridgeshire has supported people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, helping them improve their wellbeing, maintain independence and feel connected to their communities.

Whether you’re experiencing isolation, facing practical challenges or simply unsure where to turn, finding the right support can make a real difference.

Watch Alisha’s full interview with Sandra on YouTube 

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