FPA EDUCATIONAL SERIES

Fuel For Thought

from fuel poverty to climate justice

Fuel For Thought is a series of monthly collective learning sessions run by Fuel Poverty Action. A space to share research and lived experience, tackle lies, clear up confusion and answer questions.

Session 4: Retro-fit for the Future - 18th January, 6.30pm

Our fourth learning session will explore the pitfalls and opportunities of retrofitting for residents, workers and the planet. We’ll be answering questions including:

• What does retrofitting mean, is it expensive and who should pay for what?
• Can retrofitting relieve fuel poverty, tackle energy debt, improve well-being and reduce the impact of housing on the climate?
• What does safe insulation look like for residents, workers and the planet? How do we ensure safe insulation is installed after removing dangerous cladding?
• What are the benefits of retrofitting, not demolishing homes? How has the government run-down refurb projects?

• How can we organise ourselves, our movements, and our communities to retrofit homes across the UK?

Speakers will include:

Scott McAulay - is an architectural practitioner and environmental activist, bridging the gaps between architecture, environmentalism, and working-class struggle in the UK through his Anthropocene Architecture School. He is the co-founder of ACAN Scotland, co-producer of of Scotland's Architecture Fringe and works with Architype. He is also a driving force behind Retrofit Reimagined, a festival for inspiring the radical reimagination of a climate transition where the retrofitting of our homes and streets could be designed, owned and governed by the people who live there.

Louie Herbert - one of the founders of ACORN UK and was the Senior Organiser for Debt Justice's Together Against Debt project, which got Lambeth Council to spend around £1 million on repairing people's houses. Louie is now at Act Build Change, which trains and develops organisations and individuals to use community organising to improve people's lives.

The Wyndford Residents Union (WRU) - is a community union for residents of the Wyndford, a housing scheme in Glasgow. The WRU stand together as neighbours against anything threatening their community and are currently running a campaign to retrofit, not demolish, 600 social homes that could be used for tackling homelessness and housing refugees.

Click here for more information about the Fuel For Thought sessions.

This project is unfunded. While the sessions are free, donations to the project are warmly appreciated (please specify  'for Fuel For Thought') and will enable us to broaden the reach and scope of the sessions.