Newsroom

10 March 2023

Green Doctor programme to be extended thanks to Council’s Climate Action Fund

A scheme that has helped more than 400 households to reduce their energy costs is to be extended.

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Blackpool Council will be working with Groundwork to extend the Green Doctor programme that they offer to residents for a further 12 months, providing help and advice on how to save on energy costs and live in a warmer, more comfortable home to more residents in the town.

To date, the Green Doctor programme, has helped 464 households across Blackpool providing assistance and installing over 3,000 energy saving measures. This has resulted in carbon savings 29.84 tonnes of CO2 per year.

The scheme, that was due to end in April, will now be extended using £40,000 from the Council’s Climate Action Fund.

The additional funding has secured a new member of staff to deal with additional enquires as well as provide training to the Libraries at Home staff who frequently visit older or vulnerable residents so that they are fully trained up in offering the advice needed as part of the Green Doctor programme.

Support from Green Doctor includes;

  • Identifying causes of heat loss in homes
  • Helping identify and tackle damp or mould problems
  • Offering useful tips for saving energy and water whilst ensuring your home stays safe and comfortable
  • Installing small energy efficiency measures, such as draft excluders, LED lightbulbs and radiator reflector panels
  • Supporting you to switch energy providers to save money
  • Registering households with the Warm Homes Discount and Priority Services Register
  • Provide information on how to access other support, such as emergency heating, government subsidies or grants, advice on energy or water debt

Cllr Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said:

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“It is wonderful that we are able to extend the Green Doctor service to many more Blackpool residents, using the expertise and knowledge of Groundwork. “From the carbon saving figures we have already seen in Blackpool, it is clear that these changes and recommendations make a significant difference. With the current rise in household energy bills, there has never been a better time to make these changes, to benefit our residents as well as the planet.”
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Jon Hutchinson, Programme Director at Groundwork said: 

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“We are delighted to be working with Blackpool Council and to utilise the additional funding to enable us to roll out this scheme to more Blackpool residents. “This funding will ensure we are able to manage and provide the service to those households who need it the most.”
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For anyone who is interested in this service, they can refer themselves by emailing greendoctor.clm@groundwork.org.uk or call free on 0330 1740 863. More information can be found at the Groundworks website – www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor

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