“You don’t have to be elderly to receive support”: Young brain surgery survivor’s powerful message at charity’s 40th anniversary

Recovering from her second major brain surgery, Alisha had moved to an unfamiliar area and was living alone. She was experiencing seizures, struggling to pay household bills and feeling increasingly isolated.

“At the time I felt quite lonely and very isolated,” she recalled. “I felt very overwhelmed.”

Her housing officer contacted charity Care Network Cambridgeshire on her behalf, marking the beginning of a significant change in her circumstances. For Alisha, knowing that someone was finally there to help brought enormous relief. “It was kind of like the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The charity helped arrange a community alarm with a falls detector and a key safe, providing reassurance that Alisha could access assistance if she experienced another seizure. Living alone had been frightening, but these practical measures helped her feel safer and less anxious in her own home.

Care Network also supported Alisha in navigating the benefits system after she had initially been refused Personal Independence Payment (PIP). With help accessing the financial support she was entitled to, she gained greater independence and the ability to manage everyday expenses.

The transformation was particularly visible in her home. Sandra recalled visiting Alisha’s bungalow when it was cold and had little more than bare concrete flooring.

Over time, Alisha has carefully transformed the property into a comfortable and welcoming home.

“Little by little, she has made it into something that is truly a home,” Sandra told the anniversary audience, praising Alisha’s determination and resourcefulness.

For Alisha, financial independence has also meant being able to get out into the community, spend time with friends and enjoy experiences that many young people take for granted. “Being with my friends, socialising, that is everything to me,” she explained.

But the support went far beyond practical and financial assistance. Regular contact with Sandra, a Care Network Independent Living Coach, provided a familiar, reassuring presence and encouraged Alisha to build her confidence and develop connections in her new community. “It really helped me come out of my shell,” Alisha said.

One of the most powerful moments of the anniversary conversation came when Alisha challenged the assumption that care and support services are primarily for older people.

As a young adult, she admitted that seeing support services represented largely by older generations had initially made her hesitant to seek assistance. “You don’t have to be elderly to receive support,” she told the audience during Care Network’s 40th anniversary event at Girton, Cambridgeshire.

Care Network Cambridgeshire provides practical, emotional and community-based support to help adults of all ages overcome challenges, maintain their independence and improve their wellbeing.

She highlighted the stigma that can surround asking for help, particularly among younger people experiencing physical or mental health difficulties, financial problems or loneliness. Alisha believes more young people need to know that support is available and that they shouldn’t feel embarrassed about reaching out.

Today, she is looking towards the future with renewed confidence. Her ambitions include finding employment, developing a career, making more friends and hopefully welcoming a guide dog into her life.

Her advice to others facing difficult circumstances is simple: “I’d say reach out at the earliest possible opportunity, don’t be embarrassed or afraid to ask for help.”

As Care Network Cambridgeshire celebrates 40 years of supporting adults of all ages across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Alisha’s experience demonstrates how practical help, financial guidance and genuine human connection can make a lasting difference — whatever someone’s age.

Watch Alisha’s conversation with Sandra on YouTube.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Care Network Cambridgeshire is a local charity supporting adults of all ages across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough through services including Help at Home, RISE and Community Support.

The charity celebrated its 40th anniversary in October 2026, recognising four decades of supporting local people and strengthening communities.

People at the heart of everything.

Media enquiries

Sam Holson
Care Network Cambridgeshire
sam.h@care-network.org.uk
01954 211919
www.care-network.org.uk

Registered Charity: 1120693