Tessa's story
Through the Lightning Reach portal Darren received support from:
Through the Lightning Reach portal Darren received support from:
Through the Lightning Reach portal Jessica received support from:
Through the Lightning Reach portal Jessica received support from:
Image changed for privacy
Through the Lightning Reach portal Tessa received support from:
Finding stability in uncertainty: how Tessa found a safe home through Lambeth Council’s homelessness pathway.
London, England
When Tessa discovered she was pregnant, she was already homeless. With her parents out of the picture, she had no immediate family support. The pressure of her situation became overwhelming.
​
"Everything just got a bit too difficult to deal with. With rising prices, it just got worse and worse."
Without a home, she spent months moving between friends’ houses. Tessa was eventually told she needed to find somewhere else to live, explaining they couldn’t have a newborn living under their roof. This left Tessa worrying about her situation.
"It’s never easy asking for help, especially when you’re completely needing to rely on people. But I didn’t want stress with this baby, so I had to ask for help."
​
A pathway to support
​
Tessa knew she needed to find long-term support. She contacted Lambeth Council’s housing advice team, and was introduced to the Lightning Reach portal. After creating her profile, Tessa applied for Lambeth’s support for those at risk of homelessness. The process was simple, guiding her through each step.
​
Within two weeks, Tessa was contacted and offered temporary accommodation, providing the peace of mind she needed to focus on preparing for her baby’s arrival. Receiving confirmation of her new home was a moment of relief after months of uncertainty.
​
“It all happened really quickly - I’ve got a roof over my head now!”
​
The portal offered further support. Tessa explained that she used the in-built Policy in Practice benefits calculator, which confirmed she was already receiving the benefits she was eligible for.
​
Tessa felt like she was moving in the right direction, taking her first step into a wider network of support. She saw a clear path for additional help, planning to explore these options further to help ease her financial situation.
​
“My support matches were amazing. They were all very relevant to my situation and it was nice to know that there was extra support if I needed it.”
Support that makes a difference
​
Tessa’s story demonstrates the vital role of accessible support during critical life moments. Thanks to Lambeth Council, she now has a safe place to prepare for her baby’s arrival.
​
Do you or someone you know need a helping hand? Find support today at www.lightningreach.org/application-portal