Households in Birmingham are being encouraged to get an energy-saving health check thanks to a ‘green doctor’ service.
A team of green doctors are now operating in parts of the city in a bid to help vulnerable people, who are over 60 years old and / or on low incomes, to save money and avoid fuel poverty by giving them energy-saving advice.
The free service involves energy-saving experts surveying properties and giving residents tips to keep warm, save money on gas and electricity bills, reduce energy usage and save the environment.
The green doctors also help residents by installing energy-saving devices, such as draught-proofing, energy-saving lightbulbs and water-saving hippo bags for toilets, free of charge to help people save money.
We are working in partnership with Moseley Community Development Trust and Groundwork West Midlands to deliver the project. The scheme is funded by Be Birmingham’s Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF) and the European Union Social Fund.
The partnership has a team of green doctors and a target to carry out a total of 800 green doctor visits before March 2011 and to date we have completed 217 visits.
Currently we have two green doctors, Mohammed Nasim and Negus Downer, who have both completed a City and Guilds Qualification to become qualified home energy inspectors.
Mohammed, who started working at Family Housing through a Future Jobs Fund placement and now has a full time job with us, said: “A lot of the tips may be small but ultimately have big savings for people’s purses and the environment. People have been surprised by some of the advice because it involves things that people don’t think of, like not leaving the TV on standby and only filling the kettle with as much water as is needed.”
The service is available to people aged over 60, or claiming benefit, or with a disability or ill health, in Handsworth, Summerfield, Ladywood, Soho, Nechells, North Moseley, Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath, Alum Rock, Washwood Heath and Saltley.
The green doctor project builds on other eco-work already pioneered by us and our partners. These joint schemes include the installation of solar panels on homes in Summerfield and South Lozells and the de-conversion of older properties into energy-efficient homes funded by Urban Living and Birmingham City Council.
The project in Summerfield, which included installing solar panels and low-energy heating in 329 homes, creating eco-showhomes with 2000 visitors touring the area, and supporting the Housing Education Initiatives to work with children from six local schools to create a ‘green’ website, radio station and energy advice DVDs, has recently won a series of awards including a prestigious national industry accolade in the Sustainable Housing Awards 2009.
If you would like to refer a resident who is eligible for a green doctor visit please contact Mark Robinson on 0121 766 1100.
Find out more information about the Green Doctor and other eco projects by Family Housing.