Welcome to the new issue
Retrofit Action Week starts THIS Saturday!
If you're a regular reader of this newsletter, you may be aware of this as we've mentioned it a few times π
This issue we preview ALL the week's activities - and get you so enthusiastic, you just HAVE TO sign up for something because you just can't resist the awesome power of Retrofit Action Week.
Maybe we're getting a bit carried away - but seriously, do find some time in your week's schedule to join us for something. Good things happen when people join together and make them happen.
Get stuck in, retrofitters...!
Retrofit Action Week (RAW)
Get involved in one of the local activities over Retrofit Action Week
The week sees organisations from Greater Manchester's community groups, businesses and education providers staging their own retrofit-related activities during the week for you to join, for free. And it's all supported by British Gas - which is pretty bloomin' fabulous (not least because their support helps us keep our retrofit events free for you).
Everyone around Greater Manchester has a role to play in decarbonising our homes, so whether you're a housing professional, a householder or a community group activist, there is something for you to join in with! All events are free but will need you to register ahead - so if you want to join an event, do that soon!
So we've got you mega-excited for Retrofit Action Week. Now you're asking "what's on?" Here's the list...
Green Open Homes (led by People Powered Retrofit); Retrofit Fundamentals Course (People Powered Retrofit); Retrofit Essentials 'Bootcamp (SHRA; led by Turner & Townsend); Deep Retrofit (Progress in Practice); Practical Guidance for Housing Professionals (Carbon Co-op); Heat Pump Focus & Clinic (Heat Pump Federation & members); Retrofit Rendezvous LIVE (MCS) and Navigating Planning and Construction (People Powered Retrofit); Greater Manchester Retrofit Summit and - the week's finale - The Home Upgrade Show (Low Carbon Homes).
I know, right? There's a lot. Click for event/activity info and register π - soon!
Greater Manchester Retrofit Summit
Preparing for rapid retrofit scale-up from 2025
The Greater Manchester Retrofit Summit will be online (no travel - yay!), over the mornings of Mon 9 - Weds 11 Oct.
Each morning session is themed (see below) showcasing the great work of Greater Manchester's retrofit practitioners, protagonists and low carbon leaders. Meet them, and many others for super-current presentations, live chat and even livelier Panel Discussions each morning.
Our online event format is mega-popular because it's interactive, informative and sociable. All without having to leave your desk.
MORNING 1 β Mon 9th Oct Market conditions: Sessions will cover current local market conditions, near-term outlook, financing and insights from those delivering retrofit across Greater Manchester.
MORNING 2 β Tues 10th Oct Creating and managing retrofit demand: Case-studies from social housing and private sector operators, with panel debates exploring opportunities to improve and scale whatβs already working well.
MORNING 3 β Weds 11th Oct Supplying and managing retrofit measures to meet increased demand: Case-studies from large and small contractors with panel debates exploring opportunities to improve and scale whatβs already working well.
Drop in online to suit your schedule over any/all of the 3 mornings. Register π before 5pm Sunday 8 Oct
The Home Upgrade Show
Unmissable for housing/retrofit professionals and householders
RAW culminates with The Home Upgrade Show - and there's so much good stuff going on at the event, we've created a Visitors Guide to show you what's on, get you registered π, and plan your visit.
This event is a back-to-basics, in-person Expo & Workshops event designed to help us decarbonise our housing to create better, healthier and warmer homes for all. A showcase of over 50 local and regional suppliers, service providers and workshop leaders - it supports housing professionals, property owners, householders and community groups with information, trusted advice, on-the-ground expertise and support for their retrofit projects and ambitions.
The event will provide info, help and support for housing professionals, householders and communities to progress their retrofit ambitions and projects around Greater Manchester - whether that's for housing at-scale, street-by-street or home-by-home.
Click the Guide to register π in advance and plan your visit. (Tickets will be Β£10 on the door).
Retrofit Rendezvous LIVE - with MCS
Socialise while you decarbonise
Join us at The Home Upgrade Show at a big old get-together on the Friday afternoon over refreshments at 'Retrofit Rendezvous' LIVE - the retrofit community gathering and social reception sponsored by MCS.
And...Victoria Baths volunteers are providing private tours of this remarkable building - not to be missed.
For pre-registered exhibitors and visitors. Get on the guest list ππ½ββοΈβ³
Putting even more 'retro' into retrofit
Now, this is a 'first' for us - and you, we imagine!
Visitors at The Home Upgrade Show will get a 'sneak peek' at some rather lovely retro home furnishings to add some retro 'pizzaz' (that's still a word, right?) by our friends at The Vintage Home Show (happening at the same venue, Sun 15th Oct). Meet and relax over tea and cake sitting in an Edwardian swimming pool (emptied), while gazing at Mid-Century, retro and vintage furniture, lighting and ceramics that will be available to buy (you're welcome - all part of the service) - maybe you'll spot that perfect piece to compliment your own home upgrade.
Join an historic tour of the beautiful Victoria Baths venue - volunteers who support this iconic Manchester building will be showing visitors around and sharing its fascinating history. We will keep all registered visitors updated with tour timings.
Next issue
We will be slap-bang in the middle of Retrofit Action Week
Specifically, in the throes of the Greater Manchester Retrofit Summit. Despite this intensive activity - and because we love bringing low carbon news to your Inbox - we will be delivering our usual curated round-up of the latest low carbon housing news, action, events and jobs + of course, an update on Retrofit Action Week activities and reportage, hot from the laptop of our roving retrofit reporter and climate story-teller, Josh.
π¬ If you are at one of our events next week, come and find us - we love to meet our readers in-person!
So, if you are based anywhere near the Greater Manchester area - and even if you're not - we hope we've inspired you to check out the week's activities and get involved. You're bound to learn loads, pick up some very useful info and meet great people.

RAW Media Partner
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Renewable Energy Installer & Specifier (REI) is the leading information source for professional installers, technology suppliers and service providers in the renewable and microgeneration sector keeping the sector informed through regular, free to access, communications and strong web presence.
Meet the REI team at The Home Upgrade Show this October.