Dorset Retrofit Reimagined: What We Did, Who Showed Up & What Comes Next

Over the past month, Wessex Community Assets and Dorset Community Energy, with support from This Living Place, Sustainable Dorset and Dorset Climate Action Network hosted Dorset Retrofit Reimagined—a series of webinars and an in-person gathering in Bridport—to explore the role retrofitting can play in creating warmer homes, stronger communities, and a greener Dorset.

Beyond the practicalities of insulation and energy bills, we used this series to explore what a community-led Retrofit One-Stop Shop could look like in Dorset—what’s needed, what already exists, and how it might all come together.

What we explored

Across the events, we looked at the fundamentals of retrofit, the skills and materials needed, and how communities could lead the way. Our most attended sessions included:

• “Sourcing Materials From Our Local Landscape” – a rich discussion on embodied carbon, natural materials, and local supply chains

• “Collective Approaches to Retrofit” – case studies from We Can Make in Bristol and People Powered Retrofit in Manchester showing what’s possible when people work together

Find all the recordings here

Click this link to open in YouTube

Here’s what we did

• Delivered a diverse programme of webinars, from beginner-friendly introductions to deep dives into skills, materials, and community approaches

• Brought together local experts, community organisers, and pioneering projects to share stories and spark discussion

• Hosted an in-person gathering in Bridport, reconnecting face-to-face and hearing directly from the community

• Reached over 17,000 people with the outreach campaign

Who showed up—and what we learned

We asked attendees a few questions at sign-up to understand the landscape better. Here’s what came through:

Retrofit knowledge levels (156 responses)

• Good – I have a fair understanding but still have questions: 34.6%

• Average – I know the basics but lack detailed knowledge: 32.1%

• Limited – I’ve heard of retrofitting but don’t know much: 19.9%

• None – I have no knowledge of retrofitting: 5.8%

• Excellent – I feel very confident and knowledgeable: 5.8%

Where they’re at with retrofit (145 responses)

• Planning to retrofit: 25.5%

• In the process: 24.8%

• Want to but don’t know where to start: 24.8%

• Already retrofitted: 10.3%

• Do not plan to retrofit: 13.1%

Do people feel supported to retrofit in Dorset? (138 responses)

• Not sure – haven’t explored support: 47.1%

• No – there is insufficient support: 29.7%

• Somewhat – but gaps exist: 19.6%

• Yes – there is adequate support: 1.4%

What does this tell us about the potential for a retrofitted future in Dorset?

The data paints a vivid picture: people want retrofit, but the path forward isn’t clear.

The majority of attendees already have some knowledge of retrofit—and a huge proportion are either planning, already doing it, or ready to start but need guidance. Only 13% said they weren’t planning to retrofit. That’s a powerful signal: the will is there.

But while appetite is high, confidence and support are lagging behind. Nearly half of respondents didn’t know whether local support even exists. Almost a third said clearly that support is lacking. Only a tiny 1.4% felt Dorset has what’s needed right now.

This points to a clear opportunity: build the infrastructure, and people will use it. The community is ready to act—but the systems around them aren’t ready to hold that action. A Retrofit One-Stop Shop could change that.

So… is a Retrofit One-Stop Shop needed in Dorset?

In short: yes.

There’s interest. There’s will. And there’s a big gap in support, knowledge, and coordination. What comes next is figuring out how to shape this in a way that’s rooted in local needs, makes use of local skills and materials, and strengthens communities—not just buildings.

What is a retrofit one-stop shop?

A One Stop Retrofit Hub is a locally-rooted initiative designed to bring together the many strands of retrofitting into one accessible, joined-up system. In Dorset, the proposed hub by Dorset Community Energy and Wessex Community Assets would focus especially on tackling the region’s retrofit skills gap—offering training pathways for young people, volunteers, and tradespeople, while making use of empty properties in need of refurbishment.

The vision is to create a model where social and environmental goals align: providing hands-on experience through real retrofitting projects (such as homes acquired by Dorset Council for temporary accommodation), while equipping people with practical skills and qualifications. Drawing inspiration from successful programmes across the UK, the hub would support everything from short-term introductory courses to long-term apprenticeships, linking retrofitting with community regeneration, employment, and the use of natural materials.

What next?

Now that the month-long webinar series has wrapped up, we’ve gathered incredibly rich insights from across Dorset. The level of interest—and the energy from communities, professionals, and partners—has been amazing. It’s clear there’s strong demand and a shared appetite for a joined-up, community-rooted approach to retrofit.

With that in mind, we’re now preparing to take the next step: seeking funding to establish a Dorset Retrofit One Stop Shop. Building on proven models from across the UK, our aim is to create a hub that weaves together training, retrofit delivery, and community benefit—tailored to the unique needs and strengths of Dorset.