STORY: Green Doctor on the Ground – Jayne
Meet Jayne, 55 from Wigan, who joined Groundwork as a Green Doctor through the Cadent Foundation Green Doctor Academy. After a long-standing career in the transport industry, Jayne made the green switch to a brand new career where she is utilising her transferable skills to comfort and assist people living in fuel poverty.
Before applying to the Academy, Jayne had worked in the logistics industry for 35 years, until the impact of Covid-19 resulted in her becoming unemployed and relying on benefits. Jayne made up her mind that she wasn’t returning to the sector and sought a change in career.
Jayne was given the application at the Job Centre – the Academy was something completely different but employed the same skills of working and empathising with people. Jayne had always been environmentally conscious and wanted to learn more about methods of renewable energy, and the traineeship sounded like a good fit.
The first week on the course covered a range of modules, leading to a qualification to energy assess domestic buildings. This qualification and the Academy funding has opened a door for Jayne to progress further into the energy sector, with plans to attend a ‘Renewable Technologies’ course and expand her interest in taking action towards net zero.
A typical week for Jayne is varied and exciting. Sometimes she visits community centres and attends coffee mornings to raise awareness of the Green Doctor service in local areas, and at other times conducts phone consultations and researches the properties she has booked visits to. Her role takes her to houses, flats, community buildings and events where she could be giving energy and debt advice, gifting fuel vouchers or installing light bulbs. In every task, Jayne is providing support.
This role has seen Jayne becoming involved in policy events discussing housing, private landlords, and damp and mould. She is passionate about putting measures in place to protect residents who are often frightened and vulnerable. Being able to help with properties in disrepair or making others aware of small energy measures is a gratifying job, but it is Jayne’s support and compassion that people most value.
Jayne said:
“Each Green Doctor visit is totally different to the next, You’ll be amazed how many people are struggling out there. Sometimes they just want to have a bit of a chat.
“A story that sticks in my mind was a lady who had worked for the police for almost 30 years. She was terminally ill and had a seizure if her home wasn’t heated. Unfortunately, this illness meant she ended up in huge debt with her energy company. The one thing she was scared of was having the bailiffs sent round. We supported her with this situation and gave her advice to contact your energy company, contact a Citizens Advice Bureau and get a debt advisor.
I’m really looking forward to the NEA event about housing and private landlords, discussing what measures Parliament can put in place. But I’m most excited for the ‘Renewable Technologies’ course and learning more about that. If we’re going to get to net zero, we’ve definitely got to do something.
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
