Make problems visible
Brief trusted leaders; offer translated, large-print and verbal explanations; help tenants record the problem and reach a named service.
1 · Understand the system
Who can help, and how they connect
Explore the delivery system, find practical help, or inspect how the leaflet is expected to work. Relationships and participation are proposed unless explicitly verified. Policy changes and further intervention ideas have their own workstream.
Thanet damp & mould system
Arrows show direction. Solid lines are proposed information or action routes; dashed lines are feedback. On small screens, scroll the diagram or use the route list below.
Leverage points for delivery
Where to intervene in the system
Build on existing routes: Thanet’s Home Energy Advice Team has an established frontline referral network, and KCC ReferKent lists Porchlight and local support organisations. Agree the damp-project hand-off and capacity rather than assuming directory membership means acceptance.
Thanet energy advice referral network · ReferKent organisations
Close the referral loop
Agree consent, a responsible case lead and acknowledgement. Follow up on inspection, repair and recurrence rather than counting referrals alone.
Remove delivery barriers
Use aggregated feedback to identify stalled repairs, affordability problems and unsafe accommodation. Agree escalation routes before outreach increases demand.
Feedback loop: trusted advice can increase reporting; visible action can strengthen trust. Unanswered reports can undermine trust and future reporting. This is a hypothesis to test with tenants and partners.
Explore the two feedback loops
Systems thinking · hypotheses to test
Two feedback loops that matter
“+” means the variables tend to move in the same direction, “−” in opposite directions. R reinforces change; B counteracts change. These are proposed mechanisms, not estimated effects.
Diagram methods
Adapted for this project from the Government Office for Science systems-thinking toolkit and the Analysis Function theory-of-change toolkit. Validate the boundaries, causal signs and assumptions in a workshop with tenants and delivery partners.
Local charities · Kent services · national agencies
Who to approach for practical help
Use the organisation’s published role to choose the right request: tenant advice, a supported referral, case escalation, funding or evaluation. Being listed does not establish project participation or spare capacity.
For a specific home, use the landlord and the relevant council or advice route. National policy bodies and regulators have different remits from individual complaint services.
Funding and other resources for the intervention2 · How we expect change to happen
Leaflet theory of change
If trusted local leaders share clear, accessible advice and services respond to resulting reports, tenants should be better able to secure a safer home.
Select a stage to see why it should work, the assumption to test and the measure to collect. Proposed causal links require validation with tenants and partners.
Read all stages
- Prepare
Co-design and check rights, contacts and humidity advice with tenants and housing specialists. Brief leaders and agree referral capacity.
Input: verified leaflet + partner support - Share
Community centres, faith groups, schools and family hubs distribute and explain the leaflet, including offline routes.
Output: households actually reached - Understand
Tenants recognise damp, know their reporting route and feel confident seeking help.
Early outcome: knowledge and confidence - Record & report
Tenants record conditions or humidity and report to the landlord or seek supported advice. Leaders refer with consent.
Behaviour: supported, actionable reports - Respond
Landlords investigate and repair underlying defects; council services enforce where appropriate; suitable accommodation is arranged when required.
Service outcome: timely, appropriate action - Stay safe
Conditions improve and remain improved. Tenants confirm suitability of their home or alternative accommodation.
Longer outcome: reduced exposure and recurrence
Assumptions: people can understand the advice; leaders have time and trust; tenants can safely report; services have capacity; repairs address underlying causes. The leaflet alone cannot resolve structural disrepair or create housing supply.
Metrics, evaluation and delivery risks