Subject: Area Based Scheme progress, Retrofit For All kick-off and more! 🎆

Area Based Scheme progress, Retrofit For All kick-off and more! 🎆

The site work in the Levenshulme Area Based scheme is well underway and you can read more about the approach which is being taken and the mechanisms involved in this new insights paper by Harlow Consulting.

We have also been hosting some of our first Retrofit For All project events with the London School of Economics Housing and Communities team at the wonderful National Communities Resource Centre at Trafford Hall in the Cheshire countryside.

In addition to the exciting activities and events that have taken place in the last couple of months, we also have some exciting events upcoming. From the upcoming EcoHome Lab event looking at some of recent the tech work to the ongoing Energise Manchester series of retrofit workshops taking place across South Manchester. If that wasn't enough, there is a really interesting looking exhibition on at HOME Manchester, focussing on individual and collective responses to the changing climate - we aren't involved, but think it looks great!

So while the dark nights are drawing in, there is plenty to keep yourself occupied and focussed on making the retrofit improvements we all need to see.

Join Carbon Co-op today!

Housing Plus Academy: Putting people at the heart of retrofit approaches in social housing

In September we held our first event for the Retrofit For All project with London School of Economics Housing and Communities at the National Communities Resource Centre at Trafford Hall. The event brought together housing providers, contractors, policy makers, and tenants to gain insights about their experience of people-centred approaches to retrofit through publicly funded schemes and to review Carbon Co-op’s initial Retrofit for All Toolkit. This blog covers reflections from the event and learnings for the project moving forward.

Read more about the event

Levenshulme Area Based Scheme: insights paper

A photo of two women in high vis jackets and helmets standing on scaffolding at roof level

This paper, produced by Harlow Consulting, sets out the processes behind the Area Based Scheme approach in more detail. It describes the:

aims of the scheme
the project partners, stakeholders and key relationships between these
the finance mechanisms.

It presents some initial findings around:

economies of scale vs. a customised approach
communications and engagement.

Songs for the Storm to Come by Mikhail Karikis

A photo of performers from the Songs of the Storm to Come exhibition with women looking upwards

Songs for the Storm to Come is an immersive sound and multi-screen video installation taking place at HOME Manchester, by award winning, internationally renowned Greek/British artist, Mikhail Karikis. It focuses on collective and individual responses to the impending transformations of the UK, as forecast by climate change scientists. Powerfully evocative, the work searches for ways to activate hopeful shared futures.

Continuing his practice of collaboration with communities, Karikis worked with members of Manchester based SHE cooperative choir for women and non-binary people, and with sound researchers from the School of Digital Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University. In Songs for the Storm to Come, the choir members observe maps sourced from climate modelling data, showing Britain’s transformed geography for 2050 as a result of rising sea levels. They reflect on the radical social and political changes required, and call for the power to bring us together to form communities in the face of these changes.

Book now

What we are reading...

Cities, placemaking, living and the net zero challenge.

The transition to net zero is probably the biggest generational challenge we will face. It is vast and will impact every strand of people’s lives as we move to a lower carbon future. Hear from cities and stakeholders on the frontlines of the developments of our cities.

Read the study

An image of a 'green' city with architects plans in the background

In the community

A photo of stack of carpets in pink, blue and grey.

Fitted a carpet for warmth and now all is musty!

One member is looking for advice about damp infiltrating their carpet and underlay. After having fitted carpet in a bid to insulate their home, they are now facing a musty odour and are seeking ideas on how to resolve the issue.

Join the conversation

Upcoming Events

Songs for the Storm to Come

By Mikhail Karikis

9th November, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Home Manchester

DIY Draught Proofing

14th November, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

St Margaret's Centre and Playing Field, Whalley Range

DIY Draught Proofing

20th November, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

422 Community Hub, Longsight