Sarah's story

Sheffield, England

“My life has been really sad a lot of the time, and I’m not happy that often, but this came at the right time; it really, really made a difference.”

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Health issues and financial struggles 

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For many years Sarah faced the long-term effects of an abusive marriage, which along with financial difficulties, took a severe toll on her mental health, making it difficult for her to work. Relying on disability benefits, she struggled with managing her finances, especially as the cost of living continued to rise. Following her divorce, she also took on the role of caregiver for her daughter, who faced her own mental health struggles. Sarah’s savings were drained as she dedicated herself to her daughter’s care, leaving her financially vulnerable. 

The impact of these challenges was especially severe during the winter months. The expenses left Sarah feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to go for help.

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“I’m really careful with what I use, but I froze two winters ago. The standing charges are so high, and food prices have crept up, what used to cost £15 now costs more like £25.”

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Discovering the right support

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When looking for support, Sarah came across the Lightning Reach portal through her TSB banking app. At first, she was hesitant, unsure if an online platform would be worth her time, especially given her difficulties with technology.

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“I’m not big on using technology, so I was a bit like, what is this? Is it going to be worth my time?”

However, her need to replace a broken cooker and washing machine pushed her to give the portal a try. To her surprise, Sarah found the Lightning Reach portal easy to use, even on her phone. When she applied for support through the Home is Where the Harm Is campaign,

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”It was almost too easy, it was really easy to apply for. It wasn't very long to complete and was quicker than the applications I have done in the past.”​​

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Sarah went on to successfully receive £200 in support from the campaign. The support allowed her to purchase a new cooker and washing machine, and get electrical work done which has made a significant difference in her daily life. She was shocked at how easy and quick the whole process was.

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“Honestly, I submitted the application thinking they’d probably ask for more information. After everything I’ve been through, my expectations were low – I wasn’t counting my chickens. When it was approved so quickly I was gobsmacked!”​​

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Timely support bringing relief

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The support Sarah received came at a critical time, not only improving her living conditions but also having a positive impact on her mental health.

"You saved my life, I'm standing in front of my new cooker and washing machine. I made myself a lovely Sunday dinner and washed my clothes, it made me so happy. My life has been really sad a lot of the time, and I’m not happy that often, but this came at the right time; it really, really made a difference."

She now feels hopeful knowing that there are resources available to help her get through tough times. She expresses deep gratitude for the Lightning Rech portal and the support she received.

“The reason I gave you my time today is because it made such a difference to me; you really did save my life, thank you so much.”

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Sarah’s story illustrates the impact that easily accessible support can have on individuals facing significant life challenges. Through the Lightning Reach portal, she was able to find the help she needed, improving her quality of life and giving her a sense of hope for the future.​