Mary's story

"The support that you’ve never come across, matched against your profile, is incredible. I discovered new support that is definitely relevant to me and my circumstances."

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Mary and her daughter live in a static mobile home and are facing financial difficulties, primarily due to high LPG gas costs. She struggles with her electricity bills and has found little support for park home residents. In winter, she needs four gas bottles per month, and in summer, one or two, each costing £80. Unable to work due to mental and physical health issues, Mary relies on benefits to support herself and her daughter.

 

Mary has struggled to get adequate support from the government’s household support fund, which can't cover the full cost of a gas bottle. The rising cost of living has also forced Mary to drastically change her food shopping habits. She now consistently buys the same items, avoids purchasing anything different, and frequently switches supermarkets to find cheaper deals.

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Previous energy support through Lightning Reach support partner Charis

 

For the previous two years Mary has relied on vital support from Lightning Reach partner Charis through their Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme. This is an Ofgem approved scheme, which enables residents living in a park home in England, Wales or Scotland to apply for a £150 payment to help towards the cost of their energy bills. 

 

“Charis has been fantastic, for the last two years I have applied for £150 in energy support, it has been a godsend. I can't thank them enough, they've been amazing.”

 

Discovering a new way to find and apply for support

 

This year, permanent park home residents applied for this support via the Lightning Reach portal, enabling them to discover additional support as well. Mary went on to complete her Lightning Reach profile.

 

”It was so straightforward, you put in what you do now and in the past and you can find what help is there. I do a lot of googling but with Lightning Reach there is no confusion and it's all in one place.” 

 

She was then matched with support that she had never discovered before. 

 

"When I completed my profile, I was like, 'Wow, look how many matches!' The support that you’ve never come across, matched against your profile, is incredible. I discovered new support that is definitely relevant to me and my circumstances."

 

Mary went on to apply for the Charis Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme, this time through the Lightning Reach portal.

 

“It was no problem at all, even if they require more information I’m always happy to provide more. Most of the time I do applications on my phone, which can be frustrating at times, but this didn't take long at all to complete.”

 

Alongside the warm home discount, Mary also discovered and went on to apply for further support on the portal from a national charity.

 

Financial relief leads to stress relief 

 

Mary received £150 in energy support alongside a new washing machine and fridge freezer from Charis and £250 in vouchers to help towards new bedding, food and clothing from a national charity.

 

It’s great to hear the impact these awards have had on Mary’s life, not just from a financial perspective but also helping towards the stress relief of her current circumstances. 

 

"The support I received has been a massive stress relief. Not being able to get the basics is stressful, so getting help once a year from Charis for my gas bottles takes a massive stress off. The additional assistance has also helped me buy fresh food and cleaning supplies, unlike food banks that mainly provide non-perishables.”

 

After a great experience, Mary will continue to use and recommend the Lightning Reach portal in the future. 

 

“I find the Lightning Reach portal a lot easier to use than other support search tools I’ve used. It is a godsend, I will tell people about this, I’ve already told my sister!”

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If you or someone you know is looking for support, you can get started on Lightning Reach at www.lightningreach.org/application-portal