Susannah's story

“The biggest impact was the level of anxiety dropped – I had been really worried about it all the time and it just took that away.” 

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We recently spoke with Susannah, a single mum who works full-time. She lives in temporary accommodation with her 24-year-old son, who has additional needs and isn’t able to work. This leaves Susannah trying to manage all the household costs for them both on her income.

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Despite paying what she could, rent arrears of £1,600 had built up. Having experienced homelessness in the past, the situation caused her great anxiety. She told me she often felt overwhelmed just trying to manage their rent, food, bills and other essentials.

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“I was kind of stuck financially. I was the bank for my son, and all my money was going on trying to cover everything.”

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From giving support to receiving it

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Susannah first came across Lightning Reach through her work at Age UK, where she spends her time helping others to access vital grants and support. It felt natural for her to help others, but she admitted she had never really stopped to think about what support might be available for herself.

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Susannah used the Lightning Reach portal to apply directly to a national charity, who processed her application within a few days, and even sent a £50 supermarket voucher to ease the immediate pressure. Soon after, they awarded her £1,250 towards rent arrears, which was paid directly to her housing provider, Notting Hill Genesis. She also received £500 for food and household essentials.

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“I was in a bit of a hole and thought, why don’t I just for once put myself first and try and get some money for myself. It was a godsend.”

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Back in front again

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The support Susannah received has had a lasting impact. Clearing most of her rent arrears eased the pressure on her tenancy, while the grant for food, essentials and energy meter made day-to-day living more manageable.

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“I had been really worried about it all the time and it just took the worry away. I could manage the rent, manage the food, manage the bills, and for the first time in a long time I wasn’t panicking about what was going out.”

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Most importantly, the fear of slipping back into housing insecurity began to ease. Susannah described how much calmer she felt once the support came through, and how it allowed her to regain some control. She also told me she wanted to share Lightning Reach with colleagues at Age UK, so that others in her community could find the same support when they need it.

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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.