STORY: Rakhmit – ‘I know what to do with my bills, I have people I can ask if I need help’
By providing clear, accessible assistance, Green Doctor Yasmeen was able to help Rakhmit overcome her anxieties, better understand her utility bills, and gain access to essential services. She now feels more secure in her home.
Rakhmit, 70, is a widow from South Yorkshire who lives alone in a socially isolated environment. She speaks very little English, which creates a significant barrier to managing daily tasks – especially when paying for her energy usage. Rakhmit’s late husband used to handle all the household expenses, leaving the widow unsure how to manage utility bills on her own.
This situation was causing Rakhmit anxiety about her financial responsibilities; she worried she was overpaying for energy services but lacked the knowledge and resources to seek help.
Everything changed when she came across Groundwork’s Green Doctors.
Rakhmit first met Green Doctor Yasmeen at an English for Speakers of Other Languages energy-efficiency session taking place locally. Designed to help attendees understand how to reduce their energy consumption and manage household bills, the English for Speakers of Other Languages sessions ensured participants – who spoke other languages – could access important information to control their usage at home.
As most of the attendees in Rakhmit’s session spoke and understood Punjabi, Yasmeen delivered the session in Punjabi to ensure they could fully participate and engage with the information.
After the session, Rakhmit approached Yasmeen with concerns about overpaying her bills, and requested additional support through a home visit. She also expressed curiosity about a carbon monoxide monitor, something she wasn’t familiar with before the session, and asked the Green Doctor to re-explain how it worked.
Due to her language barrier, Rakhmit was understandably anxious about having strangers in her home. She expressed that she wasn’t used to having anyone visit her, which made her feel uneasy. However, when Yasmeen paid her a visit, Rakhmit was at ease with her presence. Having previously met in the session, the pair had already formed a connection and built trust.
During the visit, Yasmeen took the time to go through Rakhmit’s utility bills with her. By breaking down each bill, Yasmeen provided Rakhmit with a clear understanding of what she was paying for and how much she should be paying for each service. The Green Doctor also explained ways Rakhmit could potentially reduce her energy consumption.
They discussed the carbon monoxide monitor, which had been covered in the English for Speakers of Other Languages session. After showing Rakhmit where the monitor was located in her home, Yasmeen explained why the device was crucial for her safety, especially since she uses gas appliances. Although Rakhmit was initially a little scared, she later expressed relief at understanding its importance.
A final measure was applying for the Yorkshire Water Sure scheme together – another significant step in helping Rakhmit feel more confident and in control of her financial situation. Thanks to the expert knowledge and resources she has accessed through Green Doctor, Rakhmit now feels empowered to make informed, independent decisions about her energy usage. Their support has enabled her to overcome language barriers to understanding bills and, more importantly, she no longer feels overwhelmed by her financial responsibilities.
Rakhmit said:
I was really nervous at first but meeting Yasmeen during the session has helped me feel more comfortable. It made a big difference, and I wasn’t as anxious because I knew who she was. I felt like I could trust her and that she understood my concerns.
I feel much more in control now. Thank you for taking the time to explain everything to me and help me with my bills. I know what to do with my bills, and I have people I can ask if I need help.
I feel so much better. I can sleep better now. I’m grateful for the visit and for all the information Yasmeen gave me.
Green Doctor Yasmeen said:
“Although Rakhmit was anxious throughout the visit, she appreciated the opportunity to ask questions she had previously been hesitant to raise. We assured her that support would be available whenever she needed it in the future. By the end of the visit, Rakhmit expressed how much more confidently she felt about managing her utility bills. She now understands the breakdown of her bills, the importance of energy efficiency, and the role of the carbon monoxide monitor in her safety.”