RISE podcast

Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise
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Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise (RISE) is a Government-backed, expert-led service. We offer free training, guidance and support to social housing providers and local authorities looking to secure funding for, and deliver successful programmes of, domestic retrofit. These podcasts aim to share insights, good practices, and lessons learned from relevant retrofit/Warm Homes projects. They are intended for informational purposes only and do not constitute recommendations or endorsements of specific suppliers, products, or services within the sector.

  1. 21h ago

    LGBTQ+ focused resident engagement

    Host Claire Brown is joined by Jack Mason, LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Coordinator at Stonewall Housing, and Sarah Willcox-Jones, Property Services Improvement Specialist at L&Q, to explore the importance of inclusive resident engagement within retrofit programmes. The episode highlights the unique housing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ residents, including safety concerns, isolation, discrimination and barriers to engaging with housing providers. Jack shares insights from research, including the landmark No Place Like Home study, while Sarah reflects on the role housing providers play in creating safe, inclusive environments for all residents. Together they discuss practical approaches to improving resident engagement, from collecting better demographic data and diversifying communication methods to building trust through visible allyship and staff training. Their conversation also explores the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge, a sector-wide initiative supporting housing providers to embed inclusive practices, strengthen resident engagement and improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ communities. For further information visit: www.stonewallhousing.org This podcast is an informal discussion between interested parties associated with Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise. Any views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and do not seek to represent the government. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and followup events available for free right now through RISE. Please visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find the right event for you.

    34 min

  2. May 27

    Community Health Impact Assessments (CHIAs) with the National Retrofit Hub

    Claire Brown from Turner & Townsend is joined by Sara Edmonds, Co-Director of the National Retrofit Hub, to explore the growing importance of community health in retrofit delivery. The conversation focuses on Community Health Impact Assessments (CHIAs) and how they can help local authorities, housing providers and communities better understand the relationship between housing, neighbourhoods and health outcomes. Sara discusses why retrofit must move beyond technical upgrades alone and instead place greater emphasis on trust, lived experience and long-term community wellbeing. The episode explores how issues such as damp, mould, fuel poverty, poor housing conditions and social isolation are deeply connected to the built environment. Sara shares practical examples from Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham, demonstrating how community led approaches can lead to more effective, trusted and sustainable retrofit programmes. The discussion also highlights the work of the National Retrofit Hub in bringing together organisations, communities and industry partners to strengthen retrofit delivery across the UK, while providing practical tools and guidance for those delivering programmes on the ground. For further information visit: Community Health impact Assessments in Retrofit Health, Place, and Retrofit Report Centric Lab's Ecological Health learning programme This podcast is an informal discussion between interested parties associated with Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise. Any views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and do not seek to represent the government. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and followup events available for free right now through RISE. Please visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find the right event for you.

    40 min

  3. May 20

    Measurement matters: navigating retrofit with data with Knauf

    In this episode, host Adam Armour-Florence is joined by Christopher Price, Technical Development Manager at Knauf Installation, and Nick Johansen, Commercial Director at Knauf Energy Solutions, to discuss why data measurement is becoming critical to successful retrofit delivery for housing providers. The conversation explores the growing gap between EPC assumptions and the real world thermal performance of homes. Drawing on extensive experience across fuel poverty, insulation, retrofit delivery and energy systems, the guests explain how housing providers can use data and measurement to make better investment decisions, improve resident outcomes and prepare homes for future decarbonisation requirements. The discussion also highlights how poor installation quality, thermal bypass and inconsistent retrofit standards can undermine project performance, even in homes that appear compliant on paper.  For further information visit: www.knaufinsulation.com www.knaufenergy.com This podcast is an informal discussion between interested parties associated with Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise. Any views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and do not seek to represent the government. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and followup events available for free right now through RISE. Please visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find the right event for you.

    36 min

  4. May 13

    The importance of coaching with Glee Coaching

    In this episode of the RISE Podcast, Claire Brown speaks with leadership coach Barbra Carlisle of Glee Coaching about the critical role leadership and coaching play in delivering successful retrofit programmes. The episode explores how retrofit leaders can navigate ambiguity, manage complex teams, support behaviour change and create psychologically safe environments where people feel heard and empowered. Barbra shares insights into self-awareness, communication, team dynamics, accountability and why coaching is about curiosity and growth rather than fixing performance. The conversation also highlights the importance of inclusive leadership, celebrating small wins, avoiding burnout and building resilient teams capable of delivering large scale retrofit projects while keeping residents and communities at the heart of the process. For further information visit: www.gleecoaching.co.uk This podcast is an informal discussion between interested parties associated with Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise. Any views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and do not seek to represent the government. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and followup events available for free right now through RISE. Please visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find the right event for you.

    28 min

  5. May 6

    Learning from data insights with Acuity

    In this episode, Adam Armour-Florence is joined by Sean Brennan, Benchmarking and Corporate Director at Acuity Research & Practice, to explore how data and insight can strengthen retrofit delivery across the housing sector. With over 17 years’ experience in local government and social housing, Sean shares practical perspectives on using benchmarking, resident satisfaction data and service performance insights to improve decision making. The discussion focuses on how organisations can shift from reactive approaches to preventative strategies, helping to identify risks early, enhance resident outcomes and maximise the impact of retrofit investment. Whether you're working on large-scale schemes or preparing for future funding opportunities, this episode offers valuable guidance on using data, resident insight and shared learning to deliver more effective retrofit projects. For further information visit: www.arap.co.uk This podcast is an informal discussion between interested parties associated with Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise. Any views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and do not seek to represent the government. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and followup events available for free right now through RISE. Please visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find the right event for you.

    21 min

  6. Apr 29

    U-value measurement with Build Test Solutions and Energy house Labs

    In this episode, host Claire Brown is joined by Richard Fitton from Energy House Labs at University of Salford and Richard Jack from Build Test Solutions to explore how we measure the real world thermal performance of buildings. Focusing on U-values, the conversation unpacks why traditional ‘calculated figures often fall short, and how in situ measurement is transforming our understanding of heat loss, energy efficiency and building quality. Drawing on cutting-edge research from Energy House Labs and practical tools developed by Build Test Solutions, the episode highlights the surprising variability in building performance, even among seemingly identical homes. The conversation explores what U-values really measure and why they matter, the gap between predicted and actual building performance and how new technologies are enabling more accurate measurement of heat loss, air tightness and thermal efficiency. It also looks at why a measure first approach could reshape retrofit strategies, alongside the growing role of data, testing and international collaboration in improving housing standards. For further information visit: www.buildtestsolutions.com www.energyhouselabs.salford.ac.uk This podcast is an informal discussion between interested parties associated with Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise. Any views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and do not seek to represent the government. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and followup events available for free right now through RISE. Please visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find the right event for you.

    38 min

  7. Apr 22

    Retrofit Success Guides with SHAP

    In this episode, Adam Armour-Florence introduces the Retrofit Success Guides, developed in collaboration with Sustainable Housing Action Partnership (SHAP). The discussion explores how these guides aim to support organisations delivering retrofit projects by providing structured, practical and evidence-based approaches. Guest Poonam Sakarsudha shares her background in communications, highlighting the importance of clear engagement strategies in driving meaningful social and environmental change. Alongside her, Richard Bubb reflects on the collaborative effort behind the guides and their role in addressing the complex challenges of large-scale housing retrofit. Poonam and Richard emphasise that successful retrofit goes beyond technical delivery, it requires strong communication, resident engagement and ongoing learning. They discuss the importance of monitoring outcomes, ensuring residents can effectively use new technologies like heat pumps, and fostering collaboration across local authorities, housing providers, and communities. For further information visit: www.shap.uk.com/retrofit-success This podcast is an informal discussion between interested parties associated with Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise. Any views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and do not seek to represent the government. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and followup events available for free right now through RISE. Please visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find the right event for you.

    38 min

  8. Apr 15

    International collaboration for retrofit

    Host Adam Armour-Florence speaks with Stephen Fernandez, Director and Global Building Retrofit Leader at Arup, to examine how international approaches can inform more effective, scalable programmes across the UK. Drawing on over 25 years of global experience, Stephen shares insights from leading retrofit projects and working across multiple regions. Key themes include the role of international collaboration in shaping policy and delivery models, the value of standardised, long term funding programmes and how proven approaches from countries such as Germany and the Netherlands are helping to reduce costs and increase confidence in retrofit at scale. Stephen also outlines clear, actionable steps for housing providers, local authorities and policymakers to adopt global best practice, covering governance, data sharing and delivery structures that support consistent, high-quality outcomes. For further information visit: www.arup.com/services/building-retrofit This podcast is an informal discussion between interested parties associated with Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise. Any views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and do not seek to represent the government. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and followup events available for free right now through RISE. Please visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to find the right event for you.

    19 min
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About

Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise (RISE) is a Government-backed, expert-led service. We offer free training, guidance and support to social housing providers and local authorities looking to secure funding for, and deliver successful programmes of, domestic retrofit. These podcasts aim to share insights, good practices, and lessons learned from relevant retrofit/Warm Homes projects. They are intended for informational purposes only and do not constitute recommendations or endorsements of specific suppliers, products, or services within the sector.

Information

  • Creator
    Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    126
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise
  • Show Website
    RISE podcast

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