Charlotte's story

“A lot of people don’t understand how much help there is. I’ve been blown away by the amount of support I’ve had.”

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Single mother, Charlotte, started struggling with her finances after mental health challenges led to her losing her job. As financial pressures mounted, Charlotte fell behind on her rent and electricity bills. With no immediate family support and her debts accumulating, she knew she needed help.

 

Finding a way forward through Lightning Reach

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Desperate for support, Charlotte reached out to her housing provider, who introduced her to the Lightning Reach portal. 

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Through the portal, Charlotte was connected with Yes Energy Solutions, who helped assess her financial situation. After just a week, she was awarded a £500 grant, which was credited directly to her Octopus Energy account. She also received a range of energy saving gadgets, including a temperature monitor which alerts her when she’s going into the high-bill range.

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“The Lightning Reach portal is really user-friendly and easy to use. I was having some other help through my landlord, but my support worker didn’t actually know about Yes Energy Solutions.”

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The financial relief came as a shock, lifting a significant burden off Charlotte’s shoulders.

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“I cried with relief when I found out! I didn’t think I would get that much help, quite honestly. Anything would have been great, but when they said they could clear £500 of my energy debt, it made it a lot more manageable for me.”

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The impact: a fresh start and a brighter future

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With the grant in place, Charlotte was finally able to start managing her finances again. The reduction in her energy debt meant she could focus on stabilising her situation rather than constantly worrying about bills.

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“Without the Lightning Reach portal, I wouldn’t have had the help from Yes Energy Solutions. Now I feel less pressure, I can actually focus on getting myself in a good financial place.”

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The financial support also gave Charlotte the chance to reassess her future and make more mindful financial decisions.

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Charlotte’s journey has been one of resilience. The support she received through Lightning Reach and Yes Energy Solutions has given her the confidence to take control of her life again.

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“It means so much when you’re in such a place like that to have this kind of help. Without it, I probably wouldn’t be getting where I am today.”

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Charlotte now hopes to continue improving her financial stability while focusing on her mental health.