Joanne's story

London, England

 "The support got me out of the situation I was in and took away that immediate panic. It’s made it a lot easier for me to manage."​

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We recently spoke with Joanne, a GP receptionist and mother of two living in London. As the sole earner, her household relies entirely on her income. Despite working full-time, the rising cost of living meant her salary could no longer keep pace with essential household costs, resulting in over £1,400 council tax arrears and £300 energy debt.

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To help recover this energy debt, her energy company was automatically deducting a third of every energy meter top-up. This left her with significantly less credit to heat her home. She tried her best to maintain re-payments for her council tax too, but her limited budget made it difficult to reduce the total debt.

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This constant financial pressure created a persistent sense of anxiety and a feeling of being trapped in a cycle.

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​"I was just trying to stay on top of it, paying a little bit here and there rather than not paying at all. But with prices going up, I felt stuck in a rut.”​

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Finding a trusted path to energy support​

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Joanne first discovered Lightning Reach through an email from CDER, the team working with her to manage her council tax debt. The referral gave her the confidence to sign up and complete her profile, matching her with 50 support options for her council tax and energy arrears.

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Joanne chose to apply to YES Energy Solutions for help with her energy debt. She found the application process quick and straightforward. This was a welcome change from other forms she had completed before, which were often repetitive, complex, and time-consuming.

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YES Energy Solutions soon came back to Joanne, and provided her with £150 in energy vouchers to pay towards her energy debt. She received the first voucher straight away, followed by another two vouchers every 10 days.

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They also sent her an energy-saving pack containing draught excluders to improve her home’s efficiency and reduce her energy costs.

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​"It was extremely easy and straightforward. It didn't ask too many questions or the same information over and over again.”​

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​Regaining financial stability and control​

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Since Joanne had already been actively paying down her balance, the support from YES Energy Solutions cleared the remainder of her energy debt. This eased her immediate financial pressure, allowing her to shift focus on paying off her outstanding council tax.

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The referral from CDER didn't just solve one problem; it gave her a practical way to regain control of her entire household budget. Looking ahead, Joanne wants to ensure others don’t miss out on the same opportunity, encouraging anyone struggling to take that first and see what support they can find. 

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“I didn't know this help existed. People need to know the support is out there, because you don't know what you can get until you try.”

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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.