Micha's story

We recently spoke with Micha - an ex-military professional and homeowner. Her struggles began a couple of years ago with a divorce that left her finances under strain. Not long after, she faced an even greater challenge: surgery for a brain tumour. Unable to return to work whilst recovering, she struggled with rising living costs - made worse by an energy-inefficient home that pushed her bills higher.

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She knew she needed help, but asking for it felt difficult because of the pride and self-reliance instilled during her military service.

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“It feels shameful and embarrassing, especially when you’re ex-military. I think you’re expected to be very proud, and when you need help, you feel like a failure.”

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​​Guided to the right support​

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Micha found her way forward through the Royal British Legion, who guided her to the Lightning Reach portal to apply directly to their support scheme. 

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As a result of her application to the Legion, she received £1,200 towards her households bills - clearing arrears and freeing up around £150 a month for food and essentials. They later supported her again with a further £200, which Micha put towards loft insulation, making her home warmer and more energy-efficient.

 

“It’s absolutely tremendous. The help with the bills gave me an extra £150 a month that I could put towards food and other things. It also helped me get enough money together to have my loft insulated”​

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​​Lasting change at home​

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The support Micha received has had a lasting effect. Thanks to her new loft insulation, she has already seen her energy costs begin to fall - making day-to-day living more manageable and giving her greater warmth and stability during her recovery. 

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She reflected that accessing this vital support online made the process feel more approachable and less daunting - breaking down the stigma she had felt about asking for help. Micha hopes her experience will encourage others to seek support before things reach crisis point.

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“A lot of people will leave things until they get so bad that there’s no way back - it’s important they know the support is there and there’s no shame in accessing it.”

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Get help today

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Could you or someone you know benefit from financial support? Create your account today at www.lightningreach.org/application-portal to see what you're eligible for.