In autumn 2022, Nolan from Retford lost his wife after she had bravely battled a terminal illness for several years. He left full-time work to care for her, leaving them without income and with rapidly dwindling savings. Following her passing, Nolan found himself in severe financial difficulty and struggling with his mental health. However, with support from the charity Groundwork Five Counties, he is now beginning to rebuild his life.
Nolan’s wife of 25 years had always managed the household’s utility bills and general administration. Suddenly, he was faced with an overwhelming amount of paperwork and had no idea where to begin or whom to ask for help.
Alongside his grief and financial hardship, Nolan had no money in the bank, was in poor physical health, had an unmanageable debt repayment plan, an empty kitchen, and a cold house. He sank into deep depression and even considered ending his own life.
In May 2024, his landlord, Bassetlaw District Council, arranged an appointment with Green Doctor Marie, who quickly recognised that Nolan needed far more than just energy advice. She prioritised providing emergency support and wellbeing assistance.
Nolan said: “Marie was the only person who really listened and helped in a meaningful way. We unpicked what I needed as a priority and put together an action plan.
“She immediately got me signed up for food parcels, found out what benefits I was entitled to and helped me apply, and signposted me to mental health support and a social prescriber to reconnect me with people. She rearranged my debt repayment plan to something more manageable and is working hard to have it waived altogether. She also made sure that I tackled the issues that I felt able to, and that helped me increase my confidence.
“Having someone by my side who genuinely cares has changed everything. I have started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. She checks in often to make sure I’m keeping my head up and working towards recovery. Marie is an actual lifesaver.”
Councillor Jonathan Slater, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Estates at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “The support of Marie and the Green Doctor service has been vital for Nolan, and I’m delighted that he is in much better health and in greater control of his life than when Marie first knocked on his door.
“While the Green Doctors primarily focus on reducing damp and mould in tenants’ homes and providing energy advice, this story shows how crucial the service can be in uncovering other issues that may not always be visible.”
The Damp and Disrepair service from Groundwork Five Counties helps social housing landlords connect with their tenants and improve their quality of life. This is achieved through in-home assessments, impartial money-saving and energy-efficiency advice, liaising between landlords and tenants to ensure swift and amicable repairs, and providing further support where needed.