Engagement and community participation

How can you get involved?

Improving homes is both a technical task and a social process that affects people’s routines, comfort, and sense of stability. That’s why the Lewisham Retrofit Programme was designed with resident engagement at its core. We recognise that the people who live in these homes carry essential knowledge: they know where the draughts are, how damp moves through the building, which spaces are hardest to heat, and how the rhythms of daily life interact with the fabric of the building itself.

Our Resident Engagement Plan, developed specifically for this programme, outlines how we’re working with residents at every stage, from early assessments to post-retrofit support. If you would like to read it, feel free to email retrofit@lewisham.gov.uk and we’ll be happy to share it with you.

Shaping the retrofit process

Your feedback is vital. Through interactive surveys, mapping tools, and informal conversations, we will invite residents to identify the specific issues that affect comfort and energy use in their homes. These contributions help us tailor retrofit designs—not just based on technical data, but informed by how homes are lived in day to day.

Resident champions

Some residents take on a more active role by becoming Resident Champions. Champions are local advocates who help neighbours navigate the retrofit process by sharing updates, answering questions, and bringing concerns back to the Council and project partners. This role is supported with training and optional involvement in citizen science and evaluation activities, offering opportunities to influence both delivery and long-term learning.

Events and conversations

We host regular workshops, drop-in sessions, and online Q&As to ensure you stay informed and have direct access to the people behind the programme—whether that’s retrofit coordinators, council officers, or energy advisors. These events are designed to be open, welcoming spaces for discussion, learning, and raising concerns. We’re committed to making them accessible, with interpreters and translated materials available when needed.

Sharing experiences online

For those who prefer digital engagement, we offer online discussion tools where you can ask questions, share your experience, or follow what others are saying. This space is designed to support mutual learning and connection between residents, whether you’re just beginning the process or have already had work completed.

Staying Informed

All upcoming community engagement opportunities will be listed on our event calendar, including estate meetings, site visits, and online sessions. You can RSVP, request updates, or suggest new topics and formats.