At Alike, safeguarding isn’t about control. It’s about care.
We exist to help people diagnosed with cancer feel less alone. That’s a powerful thing, and it comes with responsibility.
Our approach to safeguarding helps us protect emotional safety, take action when harm occurs, and uphold the trust placed in us. We know we can’t eliminate all risk, and we don’t promise perfection. But we can stay alert, act with intention, and keep evolving as our community grows.
We do this by:
An important note: Alike is a peer-support charity, not a statutory service or healthcare provider. The Alike app is an opt-in platform for adults (18+) who choose to participate with full agency and consent. While Alike takes safeguarding seriously and has robust measures in place, it cannot guarantee absolute safety or assume clinical responsibility. Our role is to act proportionately, provide safe spaces, and escalate concerns appropriately.
Keeping Alike safe is something we do together. Our team, Trustees, volunteers, and partners all play a part, and our Safeguarding Lead makes sure concerns are handled quickly, fairly, and with care. Our Board ensures that our approach is embedded across everything we do.
If you ever have questions or want to talk to us about a safeguarding issue, you can reach us at safety@alike.org.uk.
We take a practical, survivor-centred approach to protecting people.
Our safeguarding processes are guided by the 5 Rs:
This framework helps us act proportionately and compassionately, protecting people while maintaining trust.
If you ever feel unsafe on Alike, are worried about someone else, or want to raise a concern about something you’ve seen, please let us know.
Alike app users can report directly in the app.
Or just email us at safety@alike.org.uk. Your message will always be treated with care and confidentiality.
Alike is a space for connection and peer support, but we’re not a crisis or medical service.
If you ever need extra help, please reach out to one of these trusted organisations:
For cancer support
If you need someone to talk to
If you need medical help
You don’t have to go through anything alone. Whether it’s here on Alike or through the organisations above, support is always within reach.
For full details of our safeguarding measures and procedures, you can read:
Although Alike is an 18+ community, we are committed to upholding international child safety standards and preventing the use of our platform for any exploitative or illegal purpose.
Alike strictly prohibits any content, behaviour, or activity that involves or promotes Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) or Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). This includes any attempt to share, request, create, or distribute such material, or to use the platform to engage with minors for exploitative purposes.
If we become aware of any CSAE or CSAM content, we will immediately remove it, suspend the associated accounts, and report the incident to relevant authorities such as the UK Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Alike operates in accordance with the UK Online Safety Act 2023 and related guidance from Ofcom on online child protection.
For any concerns relating to CSAE, please contact our Safeguarding Officer directly at safety@alike.org.uk.
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. It’s how we protect emotional safety, look after one another, and keep Alike a space where people can connect freely and feel safe being themselves.