Annette's story

“We were trying to build a home from nothing. The house was empty, and so was my bank account.”

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A veteran’s fresh start with financial pressures

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Annette, a Navy veteran and mother of two, had been living in a two-bedroom flat that no longer met her family’s needs. When she was offered a three-bedroom house through her housing association, it felt like the fresh start they needed.

 

But while the new home provided more space, Annette’s financial situation quickly became a challenge. Having carefully saved for the move, she was forced to use her savings to cover the first month’s rent and moving costs. During this time she moved to Universal Credit which left her without income for six weeks, and the loss of child support payments added further strain. Combined with rising living costs, the pressure to furnish their new home and cover basic essentials left Annette feeling overwhelmed.

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“I had to use everything I had just to cover the first month’s rent and moving costs. There was nothing left for furniture or even food. It was heartbreaking.”

 

Her eldest son, who has ADHD, was particularly impacted. He had been sleeping on a temporary bed in the living room, with no personal space to decompress or focus on his studies. 

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Annette’s priority was to give her sons a comfortable, stable home, including carpeting the house to make it more welcoming and homely.

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Discovering support through Lightning Reach

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At first, Annette was reluctant to seek help.

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“I didn’t think there was anything out there for someone like me. I just thought, ‘There’s always someone worse off.’”

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However, as financial pressures mounted, a friend encouraged her to reach out to military charities. Annette contacted the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, who introduced her to the Lightning Reach portal.

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“I’d never applied for help from military charities before, but the portal made it so simple. It saved me so much time and stress.”

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The portal allowed Annette to fill out her profile and connect with multiple organisations offering support.

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“The whole process was really easy. You could do it all on your phone, which was brilliant. There was enough guidance to get through it, even if you weren’t great with computers.”

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Through Lightning Reach, Annette secured support from three organisations:

• £900 from the Naval Children’s Charity

• £150 in food vouchers from the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust

• £475 from the Royal British Legion

 

These grants allowed her to purchase beds for her sons, desks for their schoolwork and gaming, carpets to make the house more welcoming, and other household essentials.

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For Annette’s eldest son, having his own bed and desk made an immediate difference in his mental well-being. The financial support gave Annette and her family the comfort and stability they needed.

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“The house now feels like ours. It feels like a home.”

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A brighter future ahead

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With her new sense of stability, Annette is now looking to rebuild her career. She plans to complete a business administration qualification and return to work. Annette’s experience with Lightning Reach inspired her to advocate for the portal within her community, particularly among ex-military friends.

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“I’ve told my friends and family, especially those who are ex-military, about the portal. It’s about making people realise they’re not asking for too much. The support is there for a reason.”

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For Annette, the help she received was more than just financial assistance, it helped her provide a better life for her family.

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“The whole process was so easy and reassuring. It made me feel valued, and that’s something money can’t buy.”

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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.