Fighting fuel poverty with the Green Doctors

Finding the best ways to help people save money and stay warm – Jake’s experiences as a Green Doctor apprentice

The Green Doctor Energy service provides home visits to residents in South Leeds to help them save money on energy bills and keep warm in winter and cool in summer. The project is based at the charity Groundwork Leeds and home visits are completely free.Jake, from Belle Isle, recounts his first experiences as a Green Doctor apprentice.

GD cropOn visits we try and switch their energy supplier if they’re paying too much for their energy/gas. We give them some advice on how to save on money, and use their gas/electric efficiently and stop damp and condensation from happening. We can also fit some energy saving measures like radiator panels, LED lights, and if they have draughty doors and windows we can have a look and see if we can do anything to help.

The first time I did draft proofing was on Groundwork’s door. It was very tricky, but as I kept going out to visits I made myself better and quicker. At first when I started we had radiator reflector that was very tricky to fit. Fortunately we now use better material that is so much easier to fit and we don’t waste as much material and time.

The best experience has been going to the houses and being able to help the people that are vulnerable and could just do with some advice and support. Coming across difficult tasks and being able to solve them in my own way, and if it’s too hard the team are there to give me some support and help.

My worst experience is going to visits and they are in really big problems, like a really big debt. We try our best to help them and if we can’t we get in contact with someone who can help. Going to the house when they have just lost someone in their family and they break down in front of you can be hard, and you don’t know what to do but try and give some support.

The best thing about this job is been able to go out, meet new people, have a nice chat to get to know them, and being able to help them if possible. Getting along with the team and being able to have a laugh at work as well as doing work and learning new things as I go along. Having my own bit to do which shows that I can be trusted and work by myself if needs be.

From the best Green Doctor Apprentice in Leeds.

 

This post was written by Jake Flesher using our Create an article for South Leeds Life page.

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