GREEN DOCTORS Helping people keep warm, stay well and save money. Groundwork’s Green Doctors are working across the UK offering expert advice and guidance at road-shows, community events and in the home, often to those who are most vulnerable and at risk of fuel poverty.
Each Green Doctor service is designed as a tailored package of energy efficiency, money saving advice and support based on your priorities and our expertise in meeting the individual needs of residents.
They can help your tenants to use energy and water more efficiently in their homes and safeguard against ill health by providing practical support that supports them to keep warm and stay well.
The high level of training our Green Doctors receive along with our unique multi-agency approach means you can feel assured that they can respond to a range of health and well-being issues
during a home visit and make referrals to health or social care professionals when necessary.
OUR IMPACT LAST YEAR
“The best thing about being a Groundwork Green Doctor is making a difference to people’s lives, every single day” Tahir Akar, Green Doctor
Groundwork’s Green Doctors make a real difference to people’s lives. Safeguarding Health
Saving Money
Cutting CO2
As energy prices and the cost of living both continue to rise, fuel poverty will inevitably affect many more people, resulting in a rise in ill health among the most vulnerable in our society.
In addition to rising prices changes to the benefit system and uncertainty in the labour market means more people need support to effectively manage their household budgets.
After transport, domestic energy use is the second biggest contributor to carbon emissions in the UK*. Simple retrofitting measures and behaviour change interventions contribute to reducing our national CO2 emissions.
Green Doctors help people take practical steps to increase the warmth and comfort of their home, from arranging home energy efficiency improvements to providing free stay warm packs. A Green Doctor visit can help reduce isolation, prevent accidents and keep people healthy in their home.
Green Doctors help people reduce their outgoings by introducing energy efficiency measures and helping people to switch energy tariffs. They also ensure people are getting all the financial support they’re entitled to, including energy saving grants, warm homes discounts and debt relief.
Green Doctors help people identify practical, common sense steps to reduce the amount of energy and water they use. Each visit is likely to lead on average to half a tonne of carbon emissions being avoided annually. *Source DECC
Geraldine “I recently moved into a newly built flat and although it is generally energy efficient, I was getting a cold draught under my front door from the corridor, which made the flat chilly in the cold weather. I was also worried about the cost of my energy bills. During the Green Doctor visit, I was given energy saving advice
and they helped me to successfully apply for the warm homes discount, saving me £135 a year. They also suggested I register on the energy company’s Priority Services Register, as my arthritis is affected by cold it’s important for me to know if there are going to be any changes to my energy supply.”
Marc
“It’s been a positive and open working relationship that has enabled us to explore new ways to support residents through the home visits.
“Manor House Development Trust has worked closely with Groundwork to establish an award winning Green Doctor scheme as part of the Manor House PACT project. Our partnership with Groundwork has helped us develop a comprehensive service targeting hard to reach and vulnerable residents.
“The project has been well resourced and evidenced with comprehensive carbon reduction and behaviour change data, which demonstrates the value of the Green Doctor service.” Marc Mckenna
To find out more about working with Groundwork to help people keep warm, stay well and save money contact: greendoctorldn@groundwork.org.uk
www.groundwork.org.uk/London