Annmarie's story

Durham, England

We recently spoke with Annmarie, who shared that she is struggling with rising energy costs, especially during the colder months. The financial stress of trying to keep her home warm also impacts her health. 

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With Universal Credit as her only income, everyday expenses quickly add up. From groceries and energy bills to council tax and basic household essentials, making ends meet is an ongoing challenge.

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“The bills have gone up so much. I try to make a little go a long way, but it doesn’t always work.”

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Finding the right support without stress

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When Annmarie was unable to find the funds to top up her energy meter, she contacted her utility provider for emergency help. They referred her to the Fuel Bank Foundation, who then pointed her to the Lightning Reach portal for financial support.

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Despite describing herself as “not very good with technology,” Annmarie found the portal straightforward and easy to use. She said it was simple enough that she didn’t feel the need to ask anyone else for help, which she expressed was a common occurrence for her. 

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“I’m really old school with technology and I hate digital applications, but I managed it. It was simple and I didn’t get stressed with it.”

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Through Lightning Reach, Annmarie was matched to two organisations offering support with energy costs. She applied to both YES Energy and the National Energy Foundation for support. She soon received outcomes to her applications and received: 

• An energy efficiency pack from the National Energy Foundation. This included radiator foil, window sheets, and draught excluder materials.
   

• YES Energy awarded her energy vouchers totalling £147.

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Practical help and lasting habits

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The support Annmarie received had an immediate impact. The energy vouchers from YES Energy meant she could top up her prepayment meter without worry. 

“It made such a difference. I could top up straight away and even had a bit left over for extra shopping, that meant a lot.”

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For the first time in a while, she felt some breathing space. She was hopeful that the winter pack she received would also help her stay warmer and spend less on heating as colder months return.

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Annmarie has also made practical changes to how she uses energy at home. She now turns off appliances at the socket, and waits until she has a full load before doing laundry to save on energy use.

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The support, both financial and practical, came at a time when things felt especially tough. 

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“Sometimes you can feel like you’ve got nowhere to turn,” she said, “but it just gives you that feeling that you actually have got somewhere to turn. Someone is listening.”

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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.