The LivGreen-GLH collaboration placed accessibility, communication and person-centred planning at the heart of delivery. Homes varied widely in size, layout, technical requirements and occupancy, including shared homes supporting multiple people and homes where tenants have complex needs. Each property was assessed individually, with installations tailored to accommodate the routines, preferences and established support structures around each tenant.
A core strength of the partnership was the joint approach to coordinate communication and engagement through tenants’ existing support networks (carers, support providers, families). This approach ensured that clear and accessible messaging flowed to everyone involved in supporting the tenant, leading to shared understanding, reduced anxiety and smoother access arrangements where necessary.
Property specific information packs were developed collaboratively by GLH and LivGreen. These provided consistent, reliable and easy-to-understand details on what would happen, when and why. For tenants with a learning disability and autistic people, this clarity was fundamental in building trust and preparing them for change in their home environment. As one project manager commented, “It was important that information didn’t just sit with one person. The packs helped create clarity and consistency for everyone involved in the tenant’s support network.”
For every installation, whether covering solar PV, air source heat pumps, loft insulation, GLH colleagues attended property visits alongside the LivGreen delivery team. This model ensured continuity, safe working practices and a shared accountability for quality. It also meant that issues could be resolved in real time, reducing delays and ensuring adaptations took account of tenant needs. Works were scheduled around personal routines, mealtimes, medication times and support visits, minimising disruption and ensuring tenants felt respected and informed.
The partnership’s impact is illustrated through direct tenant testimonials. One tenant, who needed to be decanted for two weeks, reported that the temporary hotel stay “was absolutely fine” and praised the regular contact from the project team, particularly Cat, who “was always available if I had any questions.” The tenant described feeling reassured, listened to and supported, adding that the process caused “not too much disruption.” Following completion, they reported a home that is “much warmer and more comfortable,” and were delighted with the high-quality decoration and modern touches like USB plug sockets, which suited their love of technology. They said they would “100% recommend the works” to other tenants.
Across the 54 homes included in the SHDF Wave 2.1 program, the GLH–LivGreen partnership delivered:
Despite the geographic spread and varied property types, the project was delivered smoothly, safely and to a high standard. The combined expertise of LivGreen’s technical delivery and GLH’s specialist knowledge of supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people ensured that retrofit works were not only technically sound but emotionally and practically accessible.
A key factor in the success of the project was the strength of the working relationship between partners and their shared commitment to a delivery model that respected tenants’ independence, daily routines, and right to clear, accessible communication. This collaborative approach ensured that tenants remained at the centre of the service design and delivery. As a result, the partnership enabled:
The result is a retrofit project that not only met SHDF technical requirements but did so in a way that upheld dignity, promoted independence, reduced anxiety and enhanced daily living for some of the people who benefit the most from a warm, energy-efficient home.