A CHARITY dedicated to helping people save money on energy bills has focused its efforts on Darlington and the Tees Valley.

Called Green Doctors, the free service is set up by Groundwork North East & Cumbria, with funding from Northern Powergrid and Northern Gas Networks, and offers advice to vulnerable households on different ways to save money on their energy bills through switching tariffs and increased energy efficiency. It is open to eligible people whether they are renting from the council, a housing association, a private landlord or are in privately owned homes.

The charity has visited more than 2,100 homes last year and helped people save a total of £83,700 by switching energy tariffs and £10,644 from water advice and installing energy saving measures including LEDs and draught proofing.

Cllr Kevin Nicholson, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and housing, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Groundwork to help tackle fuel poverty in Darlington. The Green Doctors can provide valuable assistance to many people – it may be an elderly person needing help to switch energy suppliers; a young family applying for energy grants or someone suffering a health condition exacerbated by the cold who is struggling to keep their home to a safe temperature.”