STORY: Judith – ‘My Green Doctor made me feel more comfortable and confident to discuss any issues I was having’
Receiving a huge and unexpected energy charge left Judith, 74, feeling upset and helpless. Fortunately, support from Green Doctor has helped her take back control of her energy usage and finances.
Judith got in touch with the Green Doctor service after receiving a fine from her energy supplier for not paying one of her bills. She had been really struggling to afford the gas and electricity on her pension income and a small amount of disability allowance that covered her mobility issues. Judith offered to make an immediate payment, but much to her distress the energy supplier simply refused to cancel the late payment charge. Unable to manage her bills, and now with additional costs to make up, Judith reached out to Groundwork for help.
Green Doctor Rachel visited Judith’s home and together they contacted the energy provider to explain the situation. After some negotiation, Judith and Rachel were eventually successful in removing the fine.
They then discussed how Judith could make her energy bills more manageable going forward. Judith expressed that she’d prefer to pay her bills on a more regular basis rather than quarterly. The Green Doctor firstly found a cheaper energy supplier and moved her over account over onto a pre-payment meter which would help Judith stay in control of her spending.
Judith was given some behaviour change energy advice as well as small energy saving measures by Rachel to help reduce her energy consumption and to save money on her energy bills moving forward. This included the installation of radiator foils which reflect heat back into Judith’s room, rather than allowing it to be absorbed through the wall and lost outside.
Judith is thrilled with the help she has received from Green Doctor and feels much happier now she has her finances and energy usage in check.
Judith said:
I felt like I was struggling to manage my gas and electric bill and needed support to help me stay warm. My gas central heating was far too expensive to keep on!
“The support was excellent and Rachel was extremely friendly and approachable. This helped a lot because I felt more comfortable and confident to discuss any issues I was having. She gave me some items to help me keep my bills low enough to manage.
“I feel a lot better now that I know that I have somebody to go to in the future if there are any issues that I am experiencing with my utility bills.”
No-one should ever have to choose between heating and eating, but we know this is the reality for increasing numbers of people. You can find out more information and pledge your support here.
About Stay Warm, Stay Well
Stay Warm, Stay Well is a three-year programme that aims to help those living in fuel poverty by offering tailored energy advice, carried out by Groundwork’s Green Doctors.
Funded by the Cadent Foundation and led in partnership by Groundwork, the programme will invest £6m and support 14,500 households in communities across England.
In addition to the Green Doctor support, the programme is also funding an initiative to support the creation of the next generation of energy advisors via a 12-month traineeship opportunity through the Green Doctor Academy, to create more accessible pathways into work.
Find out more: www.groundwork.org.uk/stay-warm-stay-well
