Two weeks before the first lockdown in 2020, Claire split up from her husband and had the prospect of juggling work with caring for her two young boys. Already in crisis, in Autumn 2020, Claire was made redundant. Since then her family has had to survive on a fluctuating and inadequate universal credit entitlement.

 

Her family’s financial situation at a cliff’s edge after months without hope, a broken washing machine prompted her to seek charitable support. Through the Turn2us Grants Search tool she was able to quickly process a grant application and soon learnt that she would be awarded a flexible cash grant. 

 

In order to receive the funds, she would need to evidence her financial situation – which was made all the easier and quicker through the Lightning Reach platform. She was surprised and delighted at how quick, easy and secure the process was. No need for printing or endless pages of forms.

 

Hours later the grant award was approved, and Claire was notified, lifting the giant burden of uncertainty and stress off her shoulders. Within a week, the funds were in her account which proved to be a lifeline. She is now able to cover her essential expenses and could afford to get a little boy a cake for his March birthday.

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“This grant made a huge difference to my family. I would recommend this way of processing grant applications online to anyone, even people who don’t feel that confident with computers."