Summary

The MCS Foundation funded and supported Carbon Co-op’s Retrofit Supply Chain Pilot in Levenshulme, Manchester. The MCS Foundation’s grant focused on strengthening the local retrofit supply chain by enabling a new model of real-time, on-site workforce training alongside deep retrofit of five homes.

Delivered by Carbon Co-op with local social enterprise B4Box, the project was designed to help people from marginalised backgrounds into secure employment while improving standards of retrofit delivery.

Learning from the pilot is informing future place-based retrofit programmes, with a second phase now in development to scale both home upgrades and workforce training.

Retrofit Supply Chain Pilot: Levenshulme Area-Based Scheme (LevABS)

The MCS Foundation supported Carbon Co-op’s Retrofit Supply Chain Pilot, a council-led, place-based retrofit demonstrator delivered in Levenshulme, Manchester – an area with high levels of fuel poverty.

Running from August 2024 to June 2025, the project combined the deep retrofit of five homes with an innovative, real-time workforce training programme, designed to strengthen the local retrofit supply chain while delivering tangible benefits for households and communities.

Led and delivered by Carbon Co-op, a Manchester-based community energy organisation, works were carried out by local social enterprise B4Box, using local labour and providing training and employment opportunities for apprentices from marginalised backgrounds.

A collaborative, place-based approach

The Levenshulme Area-Based Scheme (LevABS) was developed around a strong ethos of collaboration. Carbon Co-op worked closely with delivery partners, architects and householders to create a project structure that prioritised trust, transparency and shared problem-solving.

A bespoke Relational Collaboration Agreement was developed to replace traditional adversarial contracting models, fostering a ‘no-blame’ culture and supporting positive working relationships across the project team. Householder contracts were also co-developed using accessible language, ensuring residents fully understood their commitments and felt genuinely part of the process.

Retrofit works and monitoring

Across the five properties, the project delivered a comprehensive package of fabric-led retrofit measures, including:

• External wall insulation
• Triple-glazed timber windows and doors
• Loft insulation and improved airtightness
• Demand-controlled mechanical extract ventilation
• Chimney balloons and smart heating controls
• Enabling works to support long-term performance

Extensive monitoring and evaluation equipment was installed, including sensors and access to smart meter data. Further evaluation metrics will be published following the first winter period (2025/26), providing valuable insight into performance, comfort and energy outcomes.

Real-time learning and skills development

Funding from The MCS Foundation enabled the piloting of an innovative real-time, on-site training model, delivered by B4Box. Unlike traditional classroom-based approaches, this model embedded learning directly into live retrofit projects, allowing operatives to apply skills immediately, reflect on practice, and build confidence in delivering high-quality retrofit.

The programme supported:

• Two new entrant employees, previously unemployed, into full-time roles
• Retention of existing jobs within B4Box
• Increased diversity in the workforce, including supporting women into construction roles

This approach demonstrates how retrofit programmes can deliver meaningful social value alongside decarbonisation, particularly when supported by targeted grant funding.

Wider impact and next steps

Early evaluation shows that householders are already experiencing benefits, particularly improved comfort. The project has also strengthened B4Box’s capacity to deliver retrofit at scale, with trained operatives applying their skills across other projects and sharing learning within the sector.

LevABS has attracted interest from Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Minister for Energy Consumers, positioning it as a national demonstrator for place-based retrofit delivery.

Building on the success of this pilot, Phase 2 is now being planned to retrofit additional homes and train more workers, creating a lasting legacy for both the local community and the wider retrofit supply chain.

Image credit: Carbon Co-op