Jimmy’s story: finding support with new winter clothes

Edinburgh, UK

Jimmy was signposted to Lightning Reach by City of Edinburgh Council and received £150 to buy essential winter clothing from Poppy Scotland.

“I wish I had known about this support a lot earlier.”

After developing COPD and experiencing ill health, Jimmy was unable to continue working. This led to severe financial challenges, and ultimately, he lost his home and became homeless.

After some time, Jimmy was able to secure a new property through the council. However, getting set up again meant he had to spend everything he had, leaving him with no savings and no financial safety net.

At this point, his funds were “non-existent,” and as winter approached, the pressure began to build.

Discovering support with winter clothing through Lightning Reach

Before using Lightning Reach, Jimmy had found applying for support difficult and emotionally challenging. Speaking to organisations directly made him feel uncomfortable during an already vulnerable time.

“When you hit that disaster zone you feel like a failure. It's hard to make the phone call, but it's easy to do it online.”

Using Lightning Reach changed that experience. The online process felt quicker, easier, and far less stressful compared to previous applications. Through the portal, Jimmy was able to apply for a clothing grant from Poppy Scotland - not just once, but twice over time. This support came at critical moments when he had no financial cushion to fall back on. He had previously accessed some support from other organisations, but hadn’t realised how much other help might be available.

Practical support ahead of winter

This support came at a crucial moment, when he knew he would need these items but didn’t have the means to afford them.

“I knew I was going to have to get a pair of decent boots and a warmer jacket for the winter, but to get help with that relieved so much stress. I thought “thank god, now I can pay my electricity bill”.”

By covering these essential costs, the winter clothing support freed up money for other urgent expenses like gas and electricity - helping Jimmy manage day-to-day living without falling further into difficulty.

Jimmy is now more aware of what support is available, and plans to explore other opportunities through Lightning Reach in the future. He also wants to share what he’s learned with others who may be struggling.

Get help today

Could you or someone you know use a helping hand building up your financial resilience? Create your account today at www.lightningreach.org/application-portal to see what you're eligible for.