For Josie, a simple request for help led to a life-changing outcome. At 82 years old, Josie lives at home with her daughter and was referred to Revival for support with some everyday tasks, including contacting her bank to request a new PIN and helping her manage correspondence.
During the visit, our team discovered a letter from Josie's energy provider that raised concerns. The account was still in her late husband's name, despite him having passed away seven years earlier. Even more worrying, Josie was paying £725 per month for her gas and electricity and had built up £5,000 in credit.
Josie explained that she had always felt her energy bills were unusually high and was struggling to afford them. She was unaware that such a large credit had accumulated on the account and did not realise the account had never been transferred into her name.
Going the extra mile
With Josie's permission, Revival's team began working with her bank and energy provider to put things right.
We helped arrange a new bank PIN and contacted her energy supplier to update the account details. When initial changes were delayed, we continued supporting Josie through follow-up calls and additional home visits, ensuring the issue was resolved and keeping her informed throughout the process.
During a final visit, our team contacted the energy supplier alongside Josie and confirmed that her account had been successfully transferred into her name. The supplier also confirmed that around £4,000 would be refunded directly to Josie's bank account. To help with future energy costs, Josie chose to keep £1,000 credit on the account.
Most significantly, her monthly direct debit payments were reduced from £725 per month to just £50, bringing them in line with her actual energy usage.
Throughout the process, our team also helped Josie organise important paperwork, understand her finances and check that all arrangements were being made correctly, giving her reassurance and confidence every step of the way.
A life-changing outcome
What started as a request for practical support resulted in a significant improvement to Josie's financial situation and overall wellbeing.
The support helped her recover thousands of pounds that were rightfully hers, dramatically reduce her household bills and gain a clearer understanding of her finances. It also resolved ongoing banking and administrative issues, reducing stress and providing peace of mind.
Most importantly, Josie felt listened to, supported and empowered throughout the process.
Helping people stay independent for longer
Josie's story highlights the value of personalised support, and the difference early intervention can make. By taking the time to listen, identify concerns and advocate on her behalf, Revival helped Josie maximise her income, reduce financial pressures and maintain her independence at home.
Josie was delighted with the outcome and thanked the team for their support, telling us she was extremely happy with the changes made to her energy account.
At Revival, we're committed to helping people remain independent, safe and supported in their own homes for as long as possible. Sometimes, a simple conversation can make a life-changing difference.
