RISE podcast

During this episode we're chatting with Chris Roberts, Sustainability Manager at Plus Dane Housing, about district heating and all things retrofit. Chris explains district heating systems and networks, details the learning curve they’ve been on during wave one and two, the lessons learnt they are taking forward and how networking with others has helped them improve their own processes when pla...

Kicking off the RISE podcast for 2025 - We’re delighted to be joined by Natalie Gardner, RISE Support Regional Lead, to take a look forward and discuss what's happening in the retrofit sector over the coming year. This latest episode takes a look at the upcoming changes you should be aware of. From The Procurement Act, Renters Rights Bill, updates to RdSAP as well as EPC, Natalie explains what the...

In the last RISE podcast of 2024 we’re joined by Kate Watson, RISE Bespoke Support Lead, to recap on all things retrofit from the year. Kate discusses the key highlights and news from the sector, including Warm Homes funding, and the work RISE has delivered to help support you on your retrofit journeys. The RISE podcast will be returning in 2025, but in the meantime we have lots of great episodes...

PAS is a key part and requirement to delivering retrofit projects successfully. In our latest RISE podcast we’re delighted to be  joined by Julian Boss, RISE PAS expert, to explain the purpose of PAS, why it matters and the wider impact on residents. For further advice on PAS, RISE have more resources available to support you: RISE PAS toolkits: https://riseretrofit.org.uk/resources/toolkits Under...

During this episode we're joined by Claire Brown, RISE Resident Engagement Subject Matter Expert and PHD Researcher at The University of Manchester. Claire shares the lessons learnt from across the sector and gives her top tips to building and delivering a robust resident engagement plan. Resources Claire mentions in this episode: RISE resident engagement toolkit: https://riseretrofit.org.uk/resou...

Equipping the next generation with green skills to deliver retrofit. Our latest podcast is all about green skills and how we develop them through the retrofit supply chain. We’re joined by Hannah Norton and Simeon Perry from Efficiency North, discussing their experiences with apprenticeships through their programme EN:Able Futures. Learn more about Efficiency North: https://www.efficiencynorth.org...

With the submission deadlines for both the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant approaching, we’re joined by Kate Watson, RISE Bespoke Support Lead to discuss what you can be doing in these final stages to maximise your chances of a successful submission. Kate shares her top tips, common errors and sign posts to the recent important clarifications from DESNZ. Reminder, The W...

Developing and delivering a successful retrofit project requires strong resident engagement. This week we are joined by Ellie Radcliffe, Programme Manager at the Carbon Co-op, to discuss the Retrofit for all toolkit - a brilliant resource that puts residents at the forefront of retrofit projects. View the toolkit here: https://cc-site-media.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/06/Retrofit-For-All-Toolkit...

Joined by subject matter experts Sophie Norton and Dan Leeming, Turner & Townsend, in this latest episode we talk all things Historic Archetypes – discuss the reasons for retrofitting this building archetype, the benefits gained, potential challenges and how these can be mitigated. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and follow up events available for free right now through RISE. Ple...

We’re pleased to be joined by Emma Kate Moraitis, Warmer Homes Programme Manager and Connor Backhouse, Retrofit Designer / Team Leader, from Northumberland County Council. Together, with host Sarah McClelland , Emma Kate and Connor unpack their experiences and learns learnt from previous retrofit programmes across both, social and private homes. They also discuss the approach they are taking for t...

During this episode we talk all things heat pumps with Claire Brown, Senior Consultant at Turner & Townsend and Andy Wilson, Carbon Literacy Consultant from Great Places Housing Group. As well us discussing sector experience we also discuss Claire and Andy’s own user experience, as both are heat pump owners. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and follow up events available for free...

After the recent announcement of both the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and the Warm Homes: Local Grant, we are delighted to be joined by Caroline Withey, Director of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Shaun Garvey, Director of the Warm Home: Local Grant from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.   With the government's new mission-led approach and ambition to retrofit 5 million...

Understanding your housing stock is fundamental to any successful retrofit project. In the latest RISE podcast, we're joined by Dan Leeming, RISE Support Manager. Throughout the episode we take a deep dive into housing archetypes, discuss different housing characteristics and why consideration is needed to ensure your project is tailored to suit. Learn more about housing archetypes at our upcoming...

In this episode, our podcast host Jordane Shaw is joined by Simon Jones, Air Quality Consultant and podcast host for Air Quality Matters. Together, they discuss the broad subject of air quality. How important it is that housing providers consider their residents’ ‘indoor’ air quality, the impacts of issues like damp, mould and ventilation, and how a well-considered retrofit project can make signif...

This latest episode of the RISE podcast focuses on monitoring and evaluation techniques for heat pumps, with Dr Richard Jack, Technical Director at Build Test Solutions. Together with our podcast host Sarah Daly, we explore the issue of over or under specification of heat pumps, why around 70% of heat pumps fitted in homes today may not be delivering as effectively as they could because of this is...

Marches Energy Agency (MEA) are an independent charity with the aim of helping households stay warm and well at home. They run free energy advice lines across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Derbyshire, and also work with local authorities to support the delivery of the HUG grant scheme. This episode we’re joined by Harry Gardner, Assistant Project Manager, Marches Energy Agency. Together wit...

This week’s episode focuses on the ‘BS 40104 Retrofit assessment for domestic dwellings – Code of practice’, otherwise known as the Retrofit Assessor Standard. Host Sarah daly is joined by Andrew Parkin, Technical Development Director at Elmhurst Energy, who’ve recently published an explainer on the standard. The episode unpacks what the standard involves, who’s it for and the public consultation...

This episode focuses on the research and findings of the "Retrofit Revisit: 10 Case Studies" report. Host Sarah Daly is joined by co-authors; Julie Godefroy, Head of Net Zero Policy, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and Marion Baeli, Principal, Sustainability Transformation at 10 Design. The report looked at the building performance evaluation of 10 retrofitte...

Host Sarah Daly is joined by Paul Norman, Director of Strategic Asset Management at Clarion Housing. Together they discuss a wide range of topics, from the importance of understanding your housing stock, strategic planning and how to monitor and evaluate complex programmes. There are a number of webinars, masterclasses and follow up events available for free right now through RISE. Please visit ⁠⁠...

In a large number of homes built before the 1970s, there is a high possibility that they have a humid, or even waterlogged, floor void. Host Sarah Daly is joined Tom Lipinski, Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder at Q-Bot, to discuss the risk of floor voids and what must be considered when approaching retrofit. There are a number of free webinars, masterclasses and follow up events available for...

In this episode host Sarah Daly is joined by Professor John Edwards, Director at Edward Hart Consultancy. Together they discuss key considerations for retrofitting heritage homes. From how to define a heritage property, to the challenges they present and how to overcome them. There are a number of free webinars, masterclasses and follow up events available for free right now through RISE. Please v...

In this podcast, our host Sarah Daly is joined by Ian Cartledge, Business Development Manager - Green Funding Solutions) at E.ON and Daniel Gatenby, Sustainability Manager at Haig Housing. Together they discuss integrating social value into your retrofit projects; whether social value has always underpinned projects, how the topic has evolved over time, and how social value can be encouraged as a...

In this podcast, our host Sarah Daly is joined by Kasang Kajang, Founding Director of KSquared and Alex Jahanshahi Edlin, Associate Director Sustainability / ESG and Net Zero at McBains. Together, they discuss what is actually meant by 'hard to treat' properties. They also explore how to deliver, and scale up retrofit when faced with more challenging construction types (e.g system built or...

Our host Sarah Daly, is joined today by Sarah Payling, Portfolio director (housing events and Unlock Net Zero) at Ocean Media. Together, they review this year's Housing 2024 conference, exploring the key themes and highlights, as well discussing the RISE workshop that took place on day three. There are a number of free webinars, masterclasses and follow up events available for free right now t...

In this podcast, host Sarah McClelland is joined today by May Lester, Senior Project Manager from Turner & Townsend to discuss the key project management considerations for a retrofit project. Sarah and May explore the key elements of a retrofit project, the best project management tools to use and common pitfalls to avoid. There are a number of free webinars, masterclasses and follow up event...