STORY: Jade – ‘At a time where I was feeling hopeless, my Green Doctor lifted me up’
Jade, 30, from Wigan, was stuck in a nightmare when her boiler broke down, triggering cold showers and climbing energy bills. Jade and her family have been supported by Green Doctor to make their home warmer and cheaper to heat.
Jade resides with her two children in a constantly chilly flat. One day her boiler broke down and the whole family began to suffer from cold and intermittent showering. Jade tried to substitute her broken boiler with electric heaters to stay warm but found that this temporary fix was causing her electricity bill to soar.
As bills had become more expensive due to the cost-of living-crisis, Jade was already struggling to provide for her children, and the problems with the flat became a massive source of stress and guilt. When Groundwork’s Green Doctor service received a referral for Jade, they immediately booked in a home visit to support her with this troubling situation.
Days later, a Green Doctor discovered Jade’s home was both cold and draughty – the broken boiler had left Jade without hot water and heating since the start of the year, which was weakening the property’s already-poor insulation. The Green Doctor discovered the draught’s source was Jade’s old windows that didn’t close properly, thereby allowing the cold to creep into the flat.
Steps to remedy this were taken, including the fitting of several draught excluders and ensuring Jade was equipped with a roll of draught tape to keep her uPWC windows sealed. The Green Doctor taught Jade how to insulate the rest of her home with radiator foil in order to maximise the flat’s warmth.
Other financial support from the Green Doctor, such as a pre-paid card towards her energy bills and new LED light bulbs, meant Jade could further keep down electrical costs. Jade was also given help with her food bills through the provision of an Aldi food voucher, which will enable her to buy food for herself and her children, so they don’t go hungry.
Finally, the Green Doctor made sure Jade would stay toasty in the colder months by sending her a heated blanket and Winter Warmer Pack containing a hat, scarf, gloves, hot water bottle and travel mug.
Jade’s cold flat is now warmer and more energy efficient with the valuable guidance and range of support from Groundwork’s Green Doctor.
Jade said:
Before my Green Doctor helped me, I was feeling stressed and overwhelmed. I had moved into a new property, which is very old, poorly insulated, and has no floor coverings. My children would complain it was cold all the time. It was like being stuck in a nightmare.
The Green Doctor visit was simple. He was so informative, positive, and friendly. At a time where I was feeling hopeless, my Green Doctor lifted me up. It was nice to feel heard about the impact the cold was having on my family. Even just being able to talk to someone who understood, made it feel like a weight had been lifted. People should be aware and benefit from the amazing work they do. I’m so grateful for the information and support I received.