A mother in Barrow-in-Furness is using her experiences of benefiting from Cadent Foundation’s £1m Warm Fund to encourage others like her to reach out for support.
Emma, 38, received the emergency intervention after her washing machine broke just before Christmas. With no money to spare, and having not washed clothes for a fortnight, Emma was left needing urgent support.
She reached out to Groundwork’s Green Doctors and not only received energy efficiency advice to help manage her bills more effectively, but also qualified for a washing machine through the Cadent Foundation £1m Warm Fund.
The emergency fund is available to Cadent Foundation’s charity partners, including Groundwork and Citizens Advice, to distribute to households living in vulnerable situations throughout the year.
Emma said: When my washing machine broke, I was really stressed as I had my kids’ school uniforms to clean. Lots of people recommended the Green Doctors, so I got in touch and they quickly arranged a visit to my home. Within a week of the visit, my washing machine was delivered and installed.
Green Doctor, Chris Thexton visited Emma’s home to provide advice on how she can save money and energy. This included advising her to stop using her electric heaters which were costly and expensive to run, causing high electricity bills. Instead, Chris advised Emma to use a combination of her radiators, energy saving measures and making sure her doors were closed to keep the rooms warmer for longer. Emma has seen an immediate impact, not only on lowering her bills, but also keeping her house warm.
Emma said: The advice Chris gave me, along with the washing machine, has made such a big impact on my living situation already. My energy use and bills are lower because I’m no longer using my electric heater. I would strongly advise anyone struggling to seek support from their local Green Doctor as you never know what help is available to you.
There are a number of packages available from the fund, including appliances and winter warming bundles. The support is accessed following a questionnaire from Cadent Foundation’s charity partners, including Groundwork to assess eligibility. A home visit may also be required for larger items.
