Over nine months, 436 residents who were primarily women from ethnic minority backgrounds, refugees, and asylum seekers benefitted from the advice delivered. In addition to the sessions, 41 fuel and food vouchers were also distributed to those needing extra support during the winter.
Green Doctors spoke to many of the groups in their native language, which helped to build trust and increase participants’ confidence and comfort. As a result, Green Doctors have completed 213 referrals for resident home visits to ensure people attending ESOL sessions receive the in-home support they need to save energy and stay well.
One of the Green Doctors delivering the advice is Yasmeen Ali. When an opportunity arose for a continued career in community support, Yasmeen felt it was the ‘natural next step’ to become a Groundwork Green Doctor.
Since 2025, Yasmeen has worked as a Green Doctor in South Yorkshire where she spends most of her time supporting community members who face language barriers to increase their understanding of different energy measures, and to show them they are not alone.
Before joining Groundwork, I worked at Age UK as a community project coordinator and a researcher for the University of Sheffield. Both roles worked closely with communities, particularly those who may be vulnerable or underrepresented, and focused on engagement, outreach, and supporting people to access services and opportunities that could improve their quality of life.
I became a member of the Cadent Foundation Green Doctor Academy after seeing the job advert, which immediately appealed to me. I was particularly interested in gaining new knowledge and qualifications, especially the National Energy Action Level 3 Qualification in Energy Awareness. I saw this as an opportunity for professional development while continuing to work in community support.
The Academy provided me with the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on experience I needed to succeed. The support from tutors and the opportunity to learn from colleagues had a lasting impact on my journey as a Green Doctor.
In my current role as a Green Doctor, I still do a lot of community-based work. I deliver ESOL sessions, support hard-to-reach and underrepresented communities, and help people access services. Compared to my previous roles this was familiar territory, but I now also complete house visits, provide practical energy advice, and support households directly with reducing their bills and improving energy efficiency.
A key influence in my decision to become a Green Doctor was my previous experience referring people to Groundwork’s Green Doctor service. When I worked as an ESOL tutor at a local college, I often invited guest speakers to speak to learners. One of these was a Groundwork energy efficiency expert who delivered workshops to learners, helping them understand how to access services and reduce their energy costs.
I saw first-hand how beneficial these sessions were, especially for people who struggled with language barriers or understanding complex systems. That experience stayed with me and made the Green Doctor role feel like a natural next step.
Compared to my previous job, I feel very happy and content in my role. My skills and experience are valued, and I am able to see the direct impact of my work in people’s homes and lives.
Read how Yasmeen supported beneficiary Rakhmit to confidently understand her utility bills and gain access to essential services: STORY: Rakhmit – ‘I know what to do with my bills, I have people I can ask if I need help’ - Groundwork
