STORY: How energy support helped Paul to recover after serious illness
After suffering multiple medical emergencies at 52, Paul’s world had turned dark. Together, Green Doctors Jayne and Neill supported Paul* with his energy and finances to help him make a healthy and positive recovery – and take back control of his future.
Groundwork’s Green Doctors were first contacted by Paul’s support worker, who was helping him to claim crucial energy advice in addition to urgent support with missed council tax payments and disability benefits. Paul, who had been working as an electrician in Wigan, recently suffered a series of life-threatening injuries including a heart attack and stroke.
During the home visit, Paul expressed to Green Doctors Jayne and Neill that he desperately needed support to get back on top of his finances. Over a year of unpaid bills had resulted in considerable energy debts! The Green Doctors established that Paul owed over five thousand pounds to his energy supplier, who had now sent the details to a solicitor firm to recover the debt.
Jayne immediately contacted the solicitors on Paul’s behalf. When she explained Paul’s vulnerabilities and situation to them, the legal company agreed not to further contact Paul whilst he gets support from a debt advisor and from his support worker. A referral was then made by Jayne and Neill to Citizens Advice for specialist debt advice which meant Paul could start taking steps to manage his debt.
The pair of Green Doctors provided Paul with a range of household support to aid his recovery. Energy saving advice from Neill meant that Paul learnt to use his heating controls more effectively to save money, and useful advice on preventing damp and mould helped him to live in a healthier environment. Meanwhile Jayne had applied for a supermarket voucher through the Cadent Foundation Winter Support Fund so that Paul could stock up on essentials to boost his health and wellbeing.
Thanks to the Green Doctors, Paul feels like he can get back on his feet again. Holistic energy and financial support have been greatly beneficial to his recovery after illness, and for his future.
Paul said:
“Before I received support from the Green Doctors, I felt lost. I’d attempted to take my own life four times as I couldn’t see a future. After my heart failure and stroke, I was unable to work.
“The Green Doctor service was absolutely brilliant. I didn’t know this support was out there. I had nothing and you gave me advice, sorted a debt advisor and are still supporting me with that. I had nothing to cook with and you sorted me with a microwave and helped me get some food in.
“You made me feel I could sort my debts out and get back on my feet. I seriously I can’t thank you enough.
I feel like I can now cope without going down that dark path of drinking to block out my problems. I feel in control now.
*A pseudonym is used to here to maintain anonymity
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
