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RISE podcast

RISE podcast
Author: Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise
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© Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise
Description
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.
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.
94 Episodes
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Host Jonathan Newton is joined by David Barnsley, Associate Director at Turner & Townsend, to explore the JCT 2024 contract update and what it means for retrofit projects. With over 35 years of experience in procurement and construction contracts, David provides expert insight into the key changes, including updates around collaboration, dispute resolution, and the introduction of a target cost contract.The discussion covers practical advice for housing stock owners on choosing the right contract type, navigating legal limitations, and understanding how procurement strategies align with project goals under the new JCT framework.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.
Jonathan Newton speaks with Jenny Danson, CEO of the Healthy Homes Hub, about the critical role of ventilation in home retrofitting. Jenny highlights how poor ventilation can harm residents' health and stresses the need to go beyond minimum compliance by designing systems that suit real-life use. The discussion reinforces the importance of putting health at the center of retrofit projects through simple, effective solutions, resident education, and long-term monitoring to ensure healthier, future-proofed homes.For further information visit: www.healthyhomeshub.ukThis 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.
In today’s podcast, host Claire Brown is joined by Jamie Bartley, CEO & Founder at Unyte, to explore how natural materials, especially hemp, can support low-carbon retrofit solutions and result in well-performing carbon negative buildings. Claire asks Jamie about the common misconceptions surrounding materials such as hemp, what the wider social and health benefits are, and what housing stock owners should consider when it comes to the specification of materials in their next retrofit project. For further information visit: www.unyteenergy.comThis 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.
In today’s podcast, host Jonathan Newton is joined by Sarah Price, Director at Spruce Retrofit Consulting Ltd, to discuss the importance of understanding retrofit standards.Sarah gives an overview of the standards that are available, the differences between them and the obstacles practitioners face when applying these standards. The discussion also provides insights into the measures housing stock owners can take to ensure best practice and the steps they can take towards retrofit success such as focusing on their intended outcomes of the retrofit project, finding reliable contractors, the use of retrofit designers, and learning from performance evaluation and feedback.For further information visit: www.spruce.uk.comThis 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.
What are the main challenges faced by women in fuel poverty and how can they be supported through inclusive, sustainable housing strategies? To help answer this, Claire Brown discusses Women in Solidarity for Energy (WISE) with Marilyn Smith, WISE Coordinator and Executive Director of The Energy Action Project (EnAct). Together they look at how organisations such as EnAct work with partners to create effective solutions and the impact of thoughtful energy initiatives. Marrilyn also shares her insights on how housing stock owners can approach their next retrofit project to better support women facing fuel poverty.For further information visit: https://wise-energy-solidarity.eu/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.
In today’s podcast, Jonathan Newton is joined by Joe Miles, Founder and Project Director at Atamate. Together they explore the benefits of a data-driven approach to decarbonisation in buildings and how organisations looking to retrofit at scale can use data and technology to their advantage.Joe outlines how moving away from a fabric-focused approach towards a people-focused and service-first strategy can be a lower risk and lower cost route to retrofit success. The discussion also covers how organisations can use data and refinement to continue to optimise their success following retrofit, and how elements such as simplified controls can improve the ways in which residents react with and use technology.For more information visit: https://www.atamate.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.
In today’s episode host Jonathan Newton is joined by Hannah Dixon, Director at Progress in Practice, to discuss the Carbon Co-op Levenshulme Area Based Retrofit Scheme. Hannah outlines the shared values and culture of collaboration that existed right from the start of the project, and how key successes such as the valuable relationships and engagement with householders and the supply chain can help inform others looking to replicate the model. For further information visit:https://www.progressinpractice.co.uk/https://carbon.coop/portfolio/levenshulme-abs/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.
In this episode Jonathan Newton is joined by Wes McGeeney, Net Zero Technical Manager at Thirteen Group to discuss the language around air source heat pumps and how this can influence adoption from both consumer and industry perspectives. Wes describes the challenges faced with planning and education and how these have been overcome, as well as the factors that influence the performance and efficiency of air source heat pumps.For more information visit: https://www.thirteengroup.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.
What exactly is Radon and what should housing stock owners be doing to identify, monitor, and mitigate radon risks as part of their retrofit planning and delivery? To explore this, Claire Brown is joined by Yvonne Power, Managing Director at Radon Solutions Ireland. Their discussion covers areas such as the best stage for testing radon levels, how common retrofit measures such as increasing airtightness and insulation impact radon levels in homes, and what should be done to reduce those risks. For further information visit:https://www.ukradon.org/https://rsi.ie/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.
Overheating and its impact on vulnerable communities in the UK is a growing concern. In today’s podcast, Jonathan Newton is joined by Andy Love from Shade The UK. They explore the effective strategies that can help mitigate overheating including accessible shaded and green spaces, ideas for policy changes and methods to help keep buildings cool. Andy also outlines the key areas that housing stock owners should consider when incorporating successful overheating prevention into their retrofit projects. For further information visit: https://www.shadetheuk.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.
What are the biggest challenges women face in building long-term careers in retrofit, and how can the community help overcome them? To explore this, Claire Brown is joined by Ellora Coupe, Founder/ Director of Her Retrofit Space. Their discussion covers the areas where women face difficulties and need more support, common misconceptions about women’s roles in retrofit, different perspectives that can be brought by women and the positive outcomes helping women connect, grow, and lead in the retrofit industry. For more information visit: https://www.herretrofitspace.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.
In today’s podcast we look at how a data-driven approach can enhance the effectiveness of retrofit initiatives and drive smarter decision-making in housing decarbonisation.To explore this subject, Jonathan Newton is joined by Balazs Csuvar, Director of Innovation and Net Zero and Edward Houghton, Director of Research and Insights, DG Cities. Together they unpack how data capture can be utilised in a meaningful way in order to support innovation, learning and planning for communities and organisations tackling net zero. For further information visit: https://www.dgcities.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.
In today’s episode, Claire Brown discusses the benefits of using AI-powered solutions for heat pump installs with Caroline Bowen and Chris Arnold from Dabalox. Together they look at how AI enhances the efficiency and affordability of heat pump installations, and how housing stock owners can incorporate AI-driven solutions into various points of their retrofit strategy. For further information visit: https://www.dabalox.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.
How can contractors and housing providers avoid PAS 2030 suspension and maintain compliance for their projects? To explore this important issue, Jonathan Newton is joined by Chris Ferguson and Paul Dawson from LHC Procure. Their discussion covers best practices for ensuring retrofit success, and integrating lessons from past suspensions to improve installation quality, monitoring and maintenance. For more information visit: www.lhcprocure.org.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.
In today’s episode, Jonathan Newton discusses The Community Retrofit Hub project with Colin Timmins and Filipe Amarante from National Energy Action (NEA). Colin and Filipe explain why The Community Retrofit Hub’s approach is to place householders central throughout the retrofit process and outline how to achieve this. The discussion covers the importance of providing end-to-end support through building trust and partnerships, involving householders in the decision making process, guidance in liaising with installers and providing aftercare in areas such as technology use and maintenance requirements.For further information visit: https://www.nea.org.uk/who-we-are/retrofit-technical-research/the-community-retrofit-hub-project/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.
In today’s episode, host Jonathan Newton is joined by Dr Martin Fletcher, Senior Research Fellow at Leeds Sustainability Institute. Martin gives an overview of the Deterioration of Retrofit Insulation Performance (DRIP) report, outlines the biggest lessons learned, and explains how they can shape future retrofit initiatives. The episode also looks at the main factors that contribute to the deterioration of retrofit insulation and how they can be mitigated, best practices for maintaining and monitoring retrofit improvements over time and how housing providers can successfully implement long-term sustainability measures in their retrofit initiatives. For further information visit: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/research/leeds-sustainability-institute/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.
How can housing stock owners incorporate lessons learned from retrofit projects to improve future initiatives? To help answer this, Steph Dylak, Programme Manager at GMCA, joins host Jonathan Newton to talk about her experiences of the HUG programme. The conversation covers the initial key objectives of the HUG programme, the evolution of these objectives during the process, challenges faced along the way and how these challenges were overcome. For further information visit: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.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.
In this episode Sarah McClelland talks to Dan Bowers, Head of Psychology at the University of South Wales, about the significance of technology acceptance in the retrofit industry. Together they discuss why housing stock providers should prioritise technology acceptance and how leveraging insights into this can enhance their retrofit projects. For further information visit:https://www.southwales.ac.uk/To listen to our previous episode go to:Indoor air quality and retrofit with the University of York 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.
In this podcast, our host Jonathan Newton is joined by Bryan Charter, CEO at SuSy house, and Katherine Piper, Customer Operations Manager at Bristol City Leap. Together they explore how a technology-driven app can be used as an engagement tool to complement large-scale sustainability initiatives, accelerating retrofit adoption and carbon neutrality. For further information visit: https://susy.househttps://www.bristolcityleap.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.
Claire Brown is joined by Charles Smith who is the Policy Director of Policy development at Historic England. Charles outlines what exactly is classed as a historic building, and gives an overview of Historic England Advice Notes (HEANs) and the various areas they cover. The discussion also explores how HEANs can be used and applied in order to benefit those looking to undertake a retrofit project. For further information visit: https://historicengland.org.uk/If you have any feedback contact: governmentadvice@HistoricEngland.org.uk This podcast aims to share insights, good practices, and lessons learned from relevant retrofit/warm homes projects. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute recommendations or endorsements of specific suppliers, products, or services within the sector.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.