Resource

LEAD method summary: Youth Action At Home

Providing easy resources for self-led home energy surveys, helping young people become ‘energy detectives’ and influence energy use in their homes.

Briefing note

Good practice

Provided by: South West Net Zero Hub

This resource is hosted externally - access it here

Part of: LEAD programme: Local Energy Advice Demonstrator

Topics

Building surveys and asset registers Capability and skills Public consultation and public engagement Domestic retrofit measures Public awareness

The Local Energy Advice Demonstrator (LEAD) programme trialled innovative approaches for delivering retrofit advice to hard-to-reach groups and hard-to-treat homes. This resource provides a summary of insights into one of the methods trialled by the South West Net Zero Hub within one or several of its six projects.

Youth Action At Home: How the method works

Young people aged 10 and up are encouraged to explore energy use at home through interactive, group-based activities. Using printable resources like a DIY home energy survey pack, they learn to identify their home type, heating systems, areas of heat loss, and potential improvements. The aim is to make energy literacy fun and engaging, influencing household behaviour. Resources may include child-friendly surveys, photo-guided tips, and a menu of common problems with DIY and retrofit solutions. This approach builds awareness and confidence in energy-saving actions among young people and their families.

Consult the full LEAD method summary on Youth Action At Home – linked above and below – for information on why the method works and what you’ll need, as well as an accompanying case study and top tips should you wish to use this method. To finish off, there is also a list of additional resources, such as webinars, online courses, and any other tools or guidance relevant to this method.