Young refugee gains confidence through Green Doctor support

At 21, refugee Ahmed moved into his first home after arriving in the country at 17 and growing up in care. Without experience or guidance, he did not know how to manage households bills or use energy at home efficiently. With guidance from charity service Green Doctor, he gained essential know-how and saves hundreds of pounds a year.

Ahmed fled from Syria when he was just 17 and has been under the care of Derby City Council, who have helped him build up a new life in Britain. Ahmed is now living on his own for the first time. To get him started, the Council referred him to the Green Doctor to help him make the most of his energy usage at home.

The Green Doctor is a fully funded service by charity Groundwork Five Counties that provides households in the East Midlands with energy and money-saving advice. The service is for people of all walks of life but has a strong focus on those classed as ‘vulnerable’, which Ahmed is due to him leaving care, his young age, and refugee status.

Ahmed says: “I didn’t know where to begin with my energy bills, it all seemed very expensive and difficult. I’m on Universal Credit and studying to become a nurse, so I don’t have much money. I’m not fluent in English yet and the language that energy suppliers use is hard to understand, so I struggled to find out how everything worked.”

When Green Doctor Cath visited Ahmed, she secured him a better energy tariff, enrolled him in ‘PeakSave’ for cheaper off-peak electricity, signed him up for Severn Trent’s Big Difference water bill discount, and added him to the Priority Services Register for emergency support in case of power cuts or other sudden loss of utilities.

Ahmed: “Cath saved me hundreds of pounds on bills so I’m not overcharged, and showed me how to save energy at home. Each radiator in my house is different and I didn’t know how they worked. She helped me to understand the controls and I can use them efficiently now. Autumn and winter here are very cold for me, so this is helping me a lot.

“She also gave me a free air fryer to save even more money, as using my electric oven would use so much electricity. Cooking for just one person is much quicker and cheaper with an air fryer; that’s another big thing I learned.

“I am very grateful to Cath, without her I would not have learned how to do these things. Now I know, I can take that information with me to every future home. I feel more confident and independent.”

The fully funded Green Doctor service is available in the East Midlands to people of any age and background, whether they own their home, rent, or are a social housing tenant. It is funded by local and national funders.

For more information and to get a free home visit, visit the website: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/fivecounties/green-doctor/