This guide is for organisations that have support scheme applications on Lightning Reach. You may have caseworkers and administrators processing applications on behalf of your organisation. The dashboard displays data related to your organisation’s applications and the applicants.
This guide explains your dashboard, covering key data points, their meanings, and tips for interpretation. For suggestions on additional data points or any feedback, please contact your Client Success Manager or email hello@lightningreach.org.
Accessing the reporting dashboard
To access your dashboard:
- Log in to the admin portal at https://admin.lightningreach.org/login.
- Click Reports in the left-hand menu.
- Your organisation's dashboard will then load.
Important Note: The dashboard processes large amounts of data, so it may take a few minutes to load. It works best in Google Chrome.
If you’re unable to access the dashboard, contact us at hello@lightningreach.org for assistance.
For common errors and troubleshooting, click here.
Main dashboard sections
The dashboard is divided into six main sections. Click any of the sections below to be taken to that area:
- Applications overview
- Monthly statistics
- Applicant demographics
- Other engagement
- Applicant feedback
- Application breakdown
Each section provides specific data points to help your organisation understand data for your support applications (if applicable).
1. Applications overview
This section provides a detailed summary of all applications submitted to your support schemes. It helps you track the volume of applications received, their outcomes, and key trends over time.
- Cumulative submitted applications over time: shows the number of applications received over time.
Tip: Below this graph, there is a smaller interactive graph (the blue area). You can adjust this by dragging the edges to change the timeframe for the data displayed, allowing you to focus on specific periods.
| Number of submitted applications | The total number of applications received. |
| Approved applications | The number of applications successfully approved. |
| Declined applications | The number of applications that were declined. |
| Inactive applications | Applications marked as inactive, typically due to lack of response or withdrawal by the applicant. |
| Direct applicants who started but did not submit | The percentage of users who began an application but didn’t complete and submit it. |
Awards
This section will provide data on the value of awards, the average awards per application, and the types of awards received by applicants.
| Total award value (£) | The cumulative monetary value of all awards granted. |
| Average award value per application (£) | The average amount awarded per approved application. |
| Types of awards received by applicants | A breakdown of awards across different categories, such as energy and utilities, food and essential items, furniture, and other support types. This is shown as a bar chart for easy visualisation. |
Timelines
This section provides insight into how long it takes applicants to apply and for an outcome to be reached.
Note: We have removed those who have completed forms in more than one sitting from the “time to complete” metrics in order for you to understand the typical user.
Similarly, time to complete an application statistics exclude invited applicants because it can take days for applicants to see the email inviting them to apply.
| Average days to application decision | The average time from submission to decision. |
| Days from submission to decision | A distribution chart showing how decision times vary. |
| Median time to complete profile (mins) | The typical time users spend completing their profiles. |
| Time taken to complete profile (mins) | A distribution chart showing how profile completion times vary. |
| Median time to complete application (mins) | The time it takes to fill out and submit an application. |
| Time to complete application (mins) | A distribution chart showing how application completion times vary. |
Additional information from applicants
Some applications may require additional documents or checks.
| Applications with connected bank accounts | The number and percentage of applications that include a connected bank account. |
| Applications with ID checks | The number and percentage of submitted applications requiring ID verification. |
| Applications with document uploads | The number and percentage of applications with uploaded supporting documents. |
| Document uploads associated with applications | A chart showing the distribution of document upload counts per application. |
Source
This section provides data on what method applicants came to apply to your support scheme.
| Proportion of applicants who applied individually (self-serve) vs via support worker | A pie chart comparing the two application methods - individual applicants using self-serve, and applicants supported by a support worker using a Lightning Reach support worker account. |
| Proportion of applicants who applied via matches vs those invited | A breakdown of how applicants arrived at the application process, whether through a match or a direct invitation. |
| Referral codes used by applicants | A breakdown of the different referral links users used to access your support scheme. |
2. Monthly statistics
This section shows monthly trends in key metrics, including the number of applications submitted and the total award values granted. Key charts in this section include:
- Submitted applications: Tracks how many applications were submitted each month.
- Award values: Displays the total value of financial support granted each month.
Tip: Below each graph, there is a smaller interactive graph (the blue area). You can adjust this by dragging the edges to change the timeframe for the data displayed, allowing you to focus on specific periods.
3. Applicant demographics
This section provides a breakdown of the different types of users who have submitted applications to your support schemes.
| Applicants by age | Shows the age distribution of applicants. |
| Applicants by region | Displays where applicants are located across different regions. |
| Applicants by local authority | A more specific breakdown of where users are based. |
| Applicants by housing status | Shows applicants’ housing situations (e.g., renting, owning, temporary accommodation). |
| Applicants with dependent children | Displays whether users have dependent children in their household. |
| Employment status | This will show the current employment status of applicants. |
| Monthly household income | Shows the income levels of applicants’ households. |
| Applicants in receipt of benefits | Highlights the percentage of applicants already receiving benefits. |
| Applicants in debt | Shows how many applicants report having debt. |
| Applicants by gender | Provides a breakdown of applicants by gender. |
| Applicants by ethnicity | Displays the ethnic background of applicants. |
| Household members with disabilities | Shows the percentage of applicants who report that someone in their household has a disability. |
| Disability types reported by applicants | Lists the types of disabilities reported. |
| Areas where applicants requested financial support | Details the types of support requested, such as funding for essential items, training or education grants, et cetera. |
| Areas where applicants asked for support and advice | Highlights the types of advice sought by applicants, including guidance on finances, housing, and employment. |
| Applicants description of household circumstances | Summarises how applicants describe their current household situations. |
| Applicants description of relationship circumstances | Summarises applicants’ relationship situations, including family breakdowns, separation, or domestic challenges. |
| Applicants description of housing circumstances | Summarises applicants’ housing situations, such as homelessness, temporary accommodation, or risk of eviction. |
Note: Some sections, like areas where applicants received financial support, allow users to select multiple answers. Other sections, such as gender or age, only allow one answer per user.
4. Other engagement
This section shows how applicants have engaged with other support available on the Lightning Reach platform. It includes data on additional grants applied for and benefit checks completed.
| Total further engagement | The total number of further actions applicants took on the platform, such as applying for other grants or completing benefit checks. |
| Percentage of applicants with further engagement | The percentage of applicants who engaged with other support options. |
| Other grants applied to | The number of applicants who applied to additional support schemes. |
| Number of benefit checks completed | Tracks how many applicants completed a benefits check. |
| Number of lite matches clicked | Shows how many users clicked on lite matches to explore other support options. |
| Percentage of applicants applying to other grants | The percentage of applicants who went on to apply for additional grants. |
| Percentage of applicants completing a benefits check | The percentage of applicants who completed a benefits check. |
| Percentage of applicants clicking on a lite match | The percentage of applicants who engaged with lite matches. |
5. Applicant feedback
This section provides insight into user feedback on the application process. After submitting an application, users are asked to provide a rating from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) and have the option to leave written feedback.
| Application ratings | Shows a breakdown of the ratings users provided, from 1 to 5. |
| Application feedback | Displays written comments submitted by users, which can provide valuable insights into their experience. |
Tip: Use this feedback to identify areas of improvement in the application process or to highlight positive user experiences.
6. Application breakdown
This tab provides a detailed view of each application you’ve received. You can see the user ID, application ID, grant name, status, caseworker name, reference, and date/time created.
You can also use the search bar to find specific applications quickly.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
If you encounter any issues with the dashboard, here are some common error messages and solutions.
Common errors
| Error message | Description | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Timeout error or blank page | This happens when the dashboard takes too long to load. | Refresh your browser or click the three dots in the top right corner of the box and select "Force Refresh." |
| No data available | This appears if there’s no data to display for the selected time period. | Adjust the filters or check back later for updated data. |
Need further assistance?
If you need any help, please contact us at hello@lightningreach.org