STORY: Green Doctor on the Ground – Neill
Meet Neill from Wigan, who tackled a career in professional football before fighting fuel poverty as a Groundwork Green Doctor in Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside.
Being a Green Doctor wasn’t always Neil’s calling. Prior to working at Groundwork, he was a professional footballer – first as an apprentice for Everton, then eventually playing for Wigan Athletic F.C. for almost a decade. He even had a spell as club captain! Following the end of his football career – which also led him into coaching and Premier League commentary on local radio – Neill switched up his focus to employment in the charity sector.
At Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside, Neill began working on different community projects where he really enjoyed helping other people to solve problems. This transferrable skill, along with an interest in the energy industry, eventually opened the door for Neill to become a Green Doctor. He has been in the role for over a year now and finds his work, supporting people with their energy bills and beyond, deeply rewarding.
Neill said:
“Speaking to people working as Green Doctors, I thought the role really suited me. I enjoy being able to help people, from being able to solve their energy problems to in recent times helping clients in food and fuel poverty. It can be very rewarding.
“I also enjoy being part of the team that are so helpful and supportive. New problems are always coming along, so having a knowledgeable and helpful team, that have themselves possibly been through the same situation or one very similar, is a real blessing and builds confidence when helping clients.
“I have many experiences of helping people in many ways, from helping a client sort out their water debt due to a leaking toilet in a rented property, to being able to support a client that had been in hospital for many months, so hadn’t been able to access his energy account and then built up debt. These and many more, and each one personal to the client.
“It is vital to help the many people that are in energy crisis, who feel they have nowhere to turn, and don’t know how to solve their issue and move their life on.”
“Being a Green Doctor is the most rewarding job I have ever done. I enjoy every day and look forward to new challenges each day brings. I can’t speak highly enough of the managers and the team I’m part of – who are all focused on helping people as best they can.”