Since 2021, Teaching Staff Trust (TST) has partnered with Lightning Reach to streamline and enhance its financial support application process. TST provides vital assistance to individuals working, or who have worked, in various education roles, including nursery staff and teaching assistants.
Improving efficiency with seamless application management
Before partnering with Lightning Reach, TST faced challenges in securely accessing applicants’ bank statements, leading to delays in processing applications and limiting their ability to help those in need. With Lightning Reach’s integration, TST has seen a significant transformation in efficiency. The platform’s open banking feature enables secure, quick access to financial information, allowing for faster and more accurate decision-making.
As a result, TST has processed over 1,300 applications and distributed £725,000 in support, with applicants receiving an average of £1,100 to cover essential needs like energy, food, and housing. Reflecting on this change, Judith Smith, Chief Executive of TST, shares: “We’ve been with Lightning now for nearly three years - our experience has been excellent.”
Reaching vulnerable and underserved communities
Lightning Reach has enabled TST to expand its support to individuals facing severe financial hardship, particularly in deprived areas. “50% of all our applications come via Lightning Reach,” Judith explains, “and we get to know about people working in the education sector who would never have otherwise known that a charity existed for them.” Over 50% of TST applicants have no household income, and 79% are on benefits. “They come from the most deprived areas in the UK and are amongst the very lowest paid,” she adds.
This partnership has been so pivotal to TST’s mission that when the charity was awarded the ACO Small Charity of the Year award, Judith shared, “Our defining moment was partnering with Lightning Reach.”
Lightning Reach went on to win Charity Collaboration of the Year for work with TST and others
Enhancing the user experience
For TST, one of the standout features of the portal is its user-friendly design. The platform simplifies the application process, providing a ‘tell it once’ approach, where applicants only need to share their story once for the team to connect them with the appropriate support.
“The system is quick, easy to use, and friendly,” says Judith. This streamlined process has doubled the number of applications TST receives and made it easier for individuals to apply for additional grants and resources. “The team at Lightning Reach are immediately responsive to requests for help, changes, or any issues that arise,” she notes.
Making an impact with positive feedback
TST’s collaboration with Lightning Reach has not only improved operational efficiency but also made a profound difference to applicants. Over half of TST’s applicants have gone on to apply for further grants or check their benefit eligibility. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:
“It was so straightforward to fill out the forms. I didn’t even know this support existed for school staff - I feel very fortunate.”
“Amazing work - thank you, TST, for giving me hope.”
Through its partnership with Lightning Reach, Teaching Staff Trust has expanded its reach to vulnerable communities, streamlined its application process, and ensured that those in need receive fast and efficient support. For organisations seeking to enhance their ability to provide support, Lightning Reach offers the perfect solution to make a lasting impact.
If you are interested in discussing how the Lightning Reach portal could support your organisation in streamlining and accelerating the delivery of financial support to your service users, while reaching a wider range of potential clients to access support from your organisation quickly and easily, please get in touch with dave@lightningreach.org
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