The Green Thread: How Nature Can Transform Resident Engagement in Retrofit
Introduction
Southern Housing Group, in partnership with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), has pioneered an innovative approach to resident engagement by embedding nature-based interventions within its housing estates. Piloted on an estate in Bracknell, Berkshire, the project introduced wildflower planting, bird and bat boxes, bug hotels, and resident-led wildlife activities to create green spaces that residents could see, shape, and take pride in.
This case study explores how Southern Housing Group is using nature as a strategic communication tool building the resident trust and community relationships that retrofit programmes depend on. By speaking to residents in tangible, visible terms rather than technical ones, the approach delivers meaningful co-benefits for health, wellbeing, and the local environment, while creating a replicable model for housing providers looking to improve resident engagement across their retrofit programmes.
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Readers that would like this document in a more accessible format should contact rise@turntown.co.uk.