Lightning Reach

As we wrap up 2024, we’re feeling incredibly grateful. Together with our amazing partners, we’ve been able to make a real difference this year - supporting those who needed it most. Every project and collaboration has added up to something bigger. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to keep growing and working alongside all of you to make an even greater impact. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a fantastic start to 2025 from all at Lightning Reach! 🎄

What a year for Lightning Reach 🚀 check out our wrapped below to see what we've been up to!

How can housing leaders prevent crisis for residents over winter? Join our Partnerships Lead, Dave Farquharson and key experts from National Energy Action (NEA) and SNG (Sovereign Network Group) on 21st January as we gather for our free Winter Warmth Network webinar. Save your spot 👇

"When I heard the money was coming, I cried for about an hour. It was such a relief.” After years of financial hardship following her husband’s passing, Kathy faced another challenging winter, worried about rising heating and food costs. Living alone in her park home with high expenses and limited savings, every penny mattered. Kathy had always relied on her daughter to navigate digital processes, wary of scams and her own lack of digital skills. But last year, after being signed posted by MoneySavingExpert.com, she successfully applied for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount from Charis through the Lightning Reach This year, determined to do it on her own, Kathy took the leap - and was amazed at how simple it was. In just a few clicks, she reapplied and received £150 towards her heating bills, along with a much-needed fridge/freezer and air fryer. The impact? Kathy now has peace of mind, knowing she can keep her home warm and manage her groceries without constant worry. 👉 Read Kathy’s full story and learn more about how Lightning Reach can help: https://lnkd.in/d3qchjJV #FinancialSupport #CostOfLiving #WarmHomeDiscount

We love partnering with organisations like ScotsCare who take their clients' data security seriously! Sending financial documents via email? 🚫 It’s simply not secure. Emails can easily be intercepted, putting sensitive client information at risk. Through the Lightning Reach portal, we offer a secure and hassle-free way to share financial evidence, ensuring that your clients' information stays safe and sound. #SecurityFirst #TechForGood #Openbanking

Big news! 🥳 Our work with Link Housing and Lightning Reach won top prize in the Service Development category at #DigiFest24! It’s been an incredible journey collaborating with the amazing teams at Link Housing and Scottish Federation of Housing Associations. We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved together and can’t wait to see what’s next!

Financial stress can feel overwhelming - but the right support can bring peace of mind. Michelle, a single mum from Pontypridd, knows this all too well. Struggling with bankruptcy, reduced hours, and rising costs, the pressure of providing for her 13 year old daughter was constant. Bills piled up, essentials were cut back, and peace of mind felt out of reach. But everything changed when she found the Lightning Reach portal. In just 30 minutes, Michelle applied for support and received a £700 grant from our fantastic partners at Racing Welfare . The relief was instant - gas, electricity, food - all covered. But more importantly? The reassurance that came with knowing she wasn’t alone. 💬 "It relieved a lot of pressure - just knowing somebody could support you meant as much as the financial help." Often, support isn’t just about money - it’s about restoring hope and calm in the hardest times. 💡 This winter, we have an enormous amount of support available through the Lightning Reach portal. Direct your clients to find support today at: https://lnkd.in/dUmHsY89 Read Michelle's story here https://lnkd.in/gVmcyM-Q #CostOfLivingCrisis #FinancialWellbeing #Support

🎉 Welcome Fife Housing Group to the Lightning Reach Community! 🎉 Fife Housing Group, one of Scotland's leading providers of affordable housing, is joining forces with Lightning Reach to enhance their already impressive commitment to tenant wellbeing. With over 2,500 properties under their management, Fife Housing Group understands the importance of providing accessible and efficient support to their residents. By integrating Lightning Reach into their services, Fife Housing Group is empowering tenants to: ⭐ Take control: Create personal accounts and explore a wide range of support options tailored to their needs. ⭐ Access assistance with ease: Connect with vital resources and apply for assistance directly through the platform. ⭐ Benefit from staff expertise: Receive guidance and support from Fife Housing Group's dedicated team, ensuring no one is left behind. After fantastic successes with other housing associations in Scotland, we're excited to see the positive impact this collaboration will have on Fife Housing Group's tenants! 💡 Is your organisation ready to embrace a more efficient and empowering approach to support? Get in touch at [email protected] to explore the possibilities with Lightning Reach. #FinancialSupport #UKHousing #AffordableHousing #HousingAssociations #TechForGood #SocialImpact #Scotland

It’s been an amazing first month for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount, managed by the brilliant team at Charis. We at Lightning Reach are proud to support them in managing applications and helping ensure payments are reaching people quickly - and the impact has already been remarkable! With colder months setting in and energy bills rising, the support provided by Charis is making a real difference in people’s lives. The feedback received from awardees has been truly moving, and we’re delighted to share just a few of their heartfelt messages: 💬 "Many thanks for approving my application. This will be such a huge help as the winter months become such a worry." 💬 "I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU! This money will keep me warm. It has taken a worry away from me. Some of my health issues feel much worse when I am cold!" 💬 "Thank you. You just don’t know what this means to us. We live in a lodge, near the River Humber, it's brutal in winter." The Warm Home Discount is helping to ease the burden for so many during what can be a challenging time of year, and we’re proud to play our part in making it happen. #WarmHomeDiscount #Charis #SocialImpact

📢 Fuel Poverty Awareness Day: the stark reality this winter This winter, over 6 million households in the UK are facing the harsh realities of fuel poverty. At Lightning Reach, we see the impact of this crisis every day as individuals and families turn to us for help finding and applying for financial support. The overall landscape paints a worrying picture: 🔹 6 million households are currently in fuel poverty. 🔹 Energy prices remain 50% higher than pre-crisis levels. 🔹 Energy debt has soared to £3.7bn, up from £2.6bn just a year ago. 🔹 Government support for energy bills has been reduced, leaving many households vulnerable. From our Lightning Reach user data, the challenges are clear: ➡️ 69% of users report struggling with home energy costs - the highest category among their financial challenges. ➡️ More than 50% pay via direct debit/regular bills, while over 35% rely on prepayment meters, which can exacerbate difficulties during winter. ➡️ Certain demographics, such as low-income households and single-parent families, are disproportionately affected. The numbers are staggering, but behind every statistic is a person, a family, or a community trying to stay warm and safe. This is why we’re proud to stand with National Energy Action (NEA) to support Fuel Poverty Awareness Day. Together, we’re shining a light on the issue and working to ensure that no one has to choose between heating and eating. At Lightning Reach, we’re committed to making financial support more accessible, faster, and simpler for those in need. 👉 If you’re struggling, or know someone who is, visit our platform to explore available support: https://lnkd.in/dXfH4vZx 💡 Join us in raising awareness and taking action this Fuel Poverty Awareness Day. #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay #FuelPoverty #EnergyCrisis #CostOfLivingCrisis