These RISE Masterclasses 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.
Retrofit information, support, and expertise (RISE): Masterclasses
Retrofit information, support, and expertise (RISE) offers training, guidance, and support to help social housing providers, local authorities, and their supply chains plan and deliver successful domestic retrofit programmes.
These videos 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.
Overview
The content is educational, focusing on practical delivery, compliance, and capacity‑building for large‑scale housing retrofit. It is designed primarily for social housing providers, local authorities, housing associations, and retrofit supply chains who are planning or delivering domestic retrofit programmes.
Delivering retrofit
Most of the content consists of long‑form RISE Masterclass sessions (typically 30–60 minutes). These cover both introductory and advanced topics, such as:
- What retrofit is and why it matters.
- How to plan and phase retrofit programmes.
- Common pitfalls and lessons learned from real projects.
- Roles and responsibilities across the retrofit team.
PAS 2035 and technical compliance
A significant strand of content focuses on PAS 2035, the UK standard that governs domestic retrofit. These videos explain:
- PAS 2035 roles (Retrofit Assessor, Coordinator, Designer, Installer).
- Risk pathways and documentation.
- Quality assurance and post‑installation considerations.
This content is especially relevant for organisations needing to meet Warm Homes or other government funding requirements.
Resident engagement and communications
RISE places strong emphasis on resident engagement, reflecting its importance in successful retrofit delivery. Dedicated playlists cover:
- Developing resident engagement strategies.
- Accessible and inclusive communication.
- Managing disruption and expectations.
- Engaging ‘hard‑to‑reach’ or digitally excluded residents.
These sessions are highly practical and frequently linked to RISE’s engagement toolkits.
Procurement and supply chain support
Another core theme is procurement and supply‑chain readiness, including:
- Writing retrofit‑ready specifications.
- Procuring services and works compliantly.
- Working with frameworks and consortia.
- Building supply‑chain capacity at scale.
This content supports housing providers that are moving from pilot projects into full programme delivery.
Funding, grants, and government process
The channel also includes guidance on government funding mechanisms, particularly:
- Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.
- Warm Homes: Local Grant.
- DESNZ reporting, milestones, and RAG ratings.
- Use of government grant portals and data submissions.
These videos are often process‑driven and aimed at grant recipients and delivery partners.
Specialist and emerging topics
Some sessions explore more focused or forward‑looking areas, such as:
- Retrofitting non‑traditional or heritage properties.
- Indoor air quality and ventilation.
- Emerging retrofit technologies.
- Building safety and regulatory change.
These tend to be expert‑led discussions rather than introductory training.