Reflections from the Hackathon: Why Communication is the Key to Retrofit Success

Real opportunity to make a real difference

We have a significant journey in front of us in terms of retrofit across the UK's homes and buildings. With 2030 being the first deadline for all social rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of C or above, and 2050 to meet decarbonisation targets, we're not yet doing enough to make the change we need to see. Homes generate around 30% of emissions in the UK, so we have a real opportunity to make a difference by engaging people, listening, and innovating new ways forward together.

The Hackathon brought together such passion and engagement from everyone who participated. One of the most impactful aspects was having learners in the room. Their presence brought not only fresh perspectives but also a completely different lens on what matters to them both in terms of how they like to be communicated with and what they value most about climate action. For younger generations, communication isn’t just about clarity; it’s about speed, authenticity, accessibility, and relevance. They challenged us to think beyond traditional methods and consider how digital platforms, storytelling, and community voices can make retrofit feel relatable and urgent.

Why learner voices matter in retrofit conversations

It was also a powerful opportunity for these students to be involved in a real-world project. They weren’t just observers, they were active contributors, shaping ideas that could influence the future of housing. This experience builds confidence, shows them the scale of impact they can have, and gives them a glimpse into the roles they might play in the sector in years to come. Their engagement reminded us that the decisions we make today will affect their generation most, so their voices must be part of the conversation.

Throughout the day, participants worked in mixed groups, combining industry expertise with fresh perspectives from the learners. Together, we explored how to speak the right language when it comes to communicating the benefits of retrofit to those who need it most. We dug into the challenges, the messages, and the most meaningful ways to deliver information so it truly lands.

Building trust, advocacy and accessibility

Three strong themes emerged across the board: the need to build trust, advocate through community champions, and drive accessibility of information. These ideas weren’t just theoretical, they were practical, actionable, and rooted in a shared commitment to putting customers first.

The creativity and collaboration on display were inspiring, and the next steps are clear. We’ll be returning to the college to refine the brief and bring the winning idea to life. RE:GEN Group is committed to investing in this concept, turning innovative thinking into real impact for customers.

This Hackathon was a lot of fun , but even more so, it was a powerful example of partnership working in action and a reminder that when we bring different voices together, we create solutions that truly matter. It’s become my tag line, but it remains true; retrofit isn’t just about bricks and insulation, it’s about people, trust, and confidence.

Next steps for healthy, inclusive retrofit

If we want to meet our 2030 and 2050 targets, we need to start by telling the right stories, building trust in both the message and the messenger, and making sure every customer feels informed and supported throughout the journey.

The challenge is huge, but the opportunity is bigger. We’ve made a step in the right direction to solving one problem and so the question now is: how will we, as an industry, step up?

If you’re passionate about shaping the future of housing and want to be part of this conversation, join us. Let’s innovate together, listen harder, and make retrofit something customers believe in, not just something they endure.