How refugee is helping families with energy bills

A former refugee who fled Afghanistan said he has found happiness helping dozens of families cope with the cost of living crisis.

Ahmad Akram is an advisor for Severn Wye Energy Agency – a sustainability charity supporting people in hard-to-reach communities in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Powys.

He supports Afghan families in their homes, conversing in Farsi to explain how they can reduce their energy use and avoid spiralling debt.

"Life in the UK has been fascinating. I've grown a lot personally and professionally, have had opportunities to maintain my abilities and, most importantly, help others," Mr Akram said.

In August 2021, amid turmoil at Kabul Airport as thousands tried to escape the Taliban, the 23-year-old fled Afghanistan with his parents and siblings.

"It was very busy at the airport and the day that we got there, it seemed impossible for me and my family to be able to get out of Afghanistan."

Their departure was far from certain as they faced a continual threat of violence.

"It was a nightmare for me and my family. I have brothers and sisters younger than me, obviously their lives were all in danger," Mr Akram said.

However, as his father had worked as a supervisor at the British Embassy, the family were eligible for one of the UK's Afghan resettlement schemes.

Having found a job as an energy advisor in Gloucestershire, where he now lives, Mr Akram recognised refugee families needed his support, particularly with the energy cap expected to rise in April.

Forecaster Cornwall Insight, which tracks the energy market, said high domestic energy prices were likely to be "the new normal".

Severn Wye Energy Agency said about 3,500 households may be slipping through the net and falling further into fuel poverty.

As well as supporting Afghan and Ukrainian refugees, the agency is visiting travelling communities and people living in remote rural areas, in a project funded by gas suppliers, Cadent Gas and Wales and West Utilities.

"We have staff who can speak different languages and we also work with refugee organisations to reach those people", said Sandy Ruthven, CEO of Severn Wye Energy Agency.

"Sometimes there are cultural barriers, sometimes people are suspicious of officials coming into their homes. They may not understand how to call their energy company and we can help with all of those things."

In the first few months, Mr Akram and his colleagues visited more than 750 properties, including Khairullah Rahimi's home near Tewkesbury.

In December 2023, the father-of-seven fled Afghanistan where he'd been working in security at the British Embassy in Kabul.

He was eligible for the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

Mr Rahimi said he's had help to reduce his family's energy use, particularly by using his boiler and washing machine at different times and on lower settings.

"It is very tough and overwhelming to pay these huge bills we receive but I do have support from my case worker who is always helping me and my family," he said.

"We don't work, unfortunately, due to the language barrier which is most challenging, but my wife and I are both studying English to try and find work."

Mr Akram is determined to help others navigate the tricky terrain of paying household bills as prices continue to fluctuate.

After settling in Gloucestershire, he said he has found happiness, peace and security.

"The first day I woke up in the UK was a big relief," he added.

"I went to the other room to see my dad and my family sleeping peacefully, and that was the best feeling I ever had in my life – seeing my family safe."

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