Lightning Reach user stories Making a real impact on real people
Video testimonials
Stories
Amy
Wokingham, England
“It’s had such a positive impact. It was just a massive weight off my shoulders. It really helped with my mental health, knowing that something is actually there to help for once.”
"The support that you’ve never come across, matched against your profile, is incredible. I discovered new support that is definitely relevant to me and my circumstances."
"This award has eased the burden of upcoming bills and will help alleviate my other costs. The support made a significant difference in reducing my mental health worries."
“What you do is amazing, it's fantastic. It wasn't just the financial difference it made to me, but the emotional support which made a big difference. It lifted my mood and made me more proactive.”
“Mentally I couldn't cope, I wasn’t in a good place. The help from PA Housing and this portal has been a godsend because I wouldn't have found any of this support.”
“It's a brilliant tool! It brings up support specific to your needs. Platforms like Lightning Reach restore belief and trust that there are people out there that genuinely want to help you.”
“The portal is amazing, there is so much information. Without the portal, I would have never had help like this. There was so much support on there no one had told me about, which is fantastic.”
“Knowing there’s support out there for people like me means the world. I don’t like asking for help, but this came at the right time and made a real difference.”
“To go from nowhere to getting support was incredible, I didn't even know this existed. It relieves so much stress, looking ahead at winter knowing that we will have some things to help."
“When we heard we got more support from [the Home is Where the Harm Is campaign] it felt like Christmas day. It was amazing to see my son happy. We were able to afford healthy food, which is crucial for his condition."
“My experience has been great, thank you for existing and creating such a tool. The best thing is that it brings all the help you can get in one place...it gives you hope that you are about to reach the light of help.”
“A lot of things can be daunting and people can be ashamed and overwhelmed looking for support but Lightning Reach makes it very effective at what it needs to do. It puts people at ease using it.”
“When you can't provide for your children it can be a very stressful and lonely situation...it has taken so much stress off, the place now feels like a home for me and my children.”
“It (the portal) is massively valuable, giving you options you don’t realise are out there, for people who think there is no way out this gives them hope.”
“It relieved a lot of pressure to be able to put food in the cupboards. It was just knowing somebody could support you which meant just as much as the financial support.”
“Lightning Reach is really good for directing you to all the right places. I am truly grateful, the award meant we could have a warm meal and pack lunches for at least the next month!”
“It was surprisingly quick...it took away the worry of having to turn the heating off as the bills went sky high. I just think it's [the portal] a brilliant idea, really helpful, glad I found it!”
“For somebody not good with computers you really helped…that did a lot of good for me. I have learnt a lot...I managed to do the second one [application] on my own."
"It has helped me think clearer, and it’s been great to see what help is out there... It has really helped me in reducing my stress, both mentally and physically.”
