The importance of advice centres with Citizens Advice Manchester

Introduction

Claire Brown is joined by Chloe Gordon and Daphne Baldi from Citizens Advice Manchester to explore the vital role advice centres can play in making social housing retrofit fair, accessible and effective.

Their conversation looks at how residents often approach advice services with immediate concerns such as unaffordable energy bills, cold homes or fuel poverty, rather than with retrofit in mind. Chloe and Daphne explain how trusted, impartial advice can help address these immediate challenges while opening up conversations about longer-term solutions such as insulation, heat pumps and solar panels.

The importance of making retrofit information accessible by avoiding technical jargon and explaining new technologies in straightforward, relatable ways is also explored. The guests discuss how advice centres can help residents understand their options, navigate grants and schemes, recognise potential risks and protect themselves from poor practice or rogue traders.

Collaboration is another key theme, with Citizens Advice Manchester sharing how strong relationships with local authorities and other organisations can help residents successfully access retrofit support.

For further information visit:

www.citizensadvicemanchester.org.uk

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

This podcast is an informal discussion between interested parties associated with Retrofit Information, Support and Expertise. Any views expressed are those of the individuals concerned and do not seek to represent the government.