Retrofit
2024 – Present
What if the climate transition and retrofit of our homes and streets were designed,
owned, and governed by the people who live there?
We are developing a community-led retrofit programme helping residents understand their homes, plan improvements with confidence and take practical action.
Wessex Community Assets is working in partnership with Dorset Community Energy, Ridgewater Energy and People Powered Retrofit to develop the Dorset Retrofit Hub: a two-year pilot project creating a community-centred approach to domestic retrofit across Dorset and BCP.
Generally retrofit refers to installing improvements in an existing building for increasing its energy efficiency and lowering its carbon footprint. The main benefit of retrofitting is the improved energy efficiency of a home or building, which leads to lower energy bills and can help to protect against rising energy costs. Existing retrofit support is often grant-based or scheme-led. The Dorset Retrofit Hub aims to create an accessible pathway for all households.
But retrofitting is also about creating homes and communities that feel connected, resilient and ready for the future.
We are aiming to establish neighbourhood demonstrator areas where community buildings become practical learning sites for local residents.
Through workshops, neighbourhood working groups and guided assessments, residents will gain a clearer understanding of their homes, access impartial advice and develop realistic retrofit plans.
Outcomes:
The project aims to build local skills, confidence and capacity, placing communities at the heart of Dorset’s transition to low-carbon, affordable and resilient buildings.
If you know of a community organisation with a building that may be in need of retrofit and would be interested in collaborating with us, please get in touch with info@wessexca.co.uk.
Previous Retrofit work & research:
Retrofit Connect
2025-26
Retrofit Connect, led by the National Retrofit Hub is a 18-month programme of collective learning for community-led organisations and innovators who are involved in or creating retrofit initiatives within their neighbourhoods.
Retrofit Reimagined Dorset
2024-25
Wessex Community Assets collaborated on a feasibility project exploring the potential for a community-led Retrofit One Stop Shop service in Dorset.
Princess Road House
2024-25
WCA and Dorset Community Energy have explored, with Bridport Area Community Housing, the potential to work with Dorset Council on the retrofit and subsequent letting for temporary accommodation of 12 Princess Road, Bridport.
Boldwood House
2023-24
WCA, BACH and Bridport Town Council entered into negotiations with a housing association for the transfer of a large, currently empty, multiple occupancy building.
Related Projects: