The Challenge: Awareness, Prevention and Compliance
At the heart of this challenge lies a simple but persistent problem: awareness.
Cases of damp and mould continue to rise, posing serious risks to both properties and resident wellbeing - particularly for children, where links to respiratory illness are well established.
While regulatory changes demand faster response times, delayed reporting remains a key barrier. Many residents are unsure how damp and mould develop, what signs to look for and when to report concerns.
For housing associations, this makes education a vital part of the solution.
A Different Approach: Education through Storytelling
M3, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Business in the Community Northern Ireland, recently piloted an innovative way to tackle this challenge, by taking education directly into primary schools.
Using M3’s “Hattie the House” storytelling initiative, children learn how homes can become “unwell” through damp and condensation, and what simple actions can help to prevent it.
The sessions combine storytelling with practical advice, helping young people understand:
- How damp and mould form
- The importance of ventilation and heating
- When and how to report issues
The NIHE’s Learning & Organisational Development Business Partner, Kellyanne Davoll explained:
“We were delighted to deliver our first pilot storytelling session…The children listened so well to the message and really took on board the simple steps that can help to keep a home healthy.”
From Classroom to Community Impact
The pilot session at Acorn Integrated Primary School in Carrickfergus demonstrated just how effective this approach can be.
By engaging children, the initiative extends far beyond the classroom, into homes and everyday conversations. The response from pupils highlights this ripple effect, with one pupil saying:
“I’m going to read it to my mummy, daddy and little sister.”
This is where real change begins.
Children act as messengers, sharing knowledge with their families, encouraging earlier reporting, and influencing behaviours in the home. For housing associations, this creates a powerful and often untapped route to resident engagement.
Why this matters for Housing Associations
In the context of Awaab’s Law and increasing regulatory expectations, initiatives like this directly support key priorities:
- Earlier intervention: Better-informed residents report issues sooner.
- Stronger compliance: Faster reporting supports meeting required timeframes.
- Improved wellbeing: Healthier homes reduce risks for vulnerable residents.
- More effective engagement: Schools provide a meaningful way to reach families.
By shifting the focus towards prevention, housing associations can reduce long-term costs while improving outcomes for residents.
A Scalable, Proactive Solution
Following a successful pilot, the initiative is set to expand across Northern Ireland, focusing on schools in areas with higher numbers of social housing residents.
It offers a scalable, community-based approach that complements traditional engagement methods, helping housing providers move from reactive responses to proactive prevention.
Get involved
Could your housing association take a more proactive approach to tackling damp and mould?
M3 is offering complimentary* “Hattie the House” books to organisations interested in piloting the initiative in their local schools.
*number of copies per organisation is limited
To find out more, contact our team: marketing@m3h.co.uk
Watch video highlights from our recent pilot project here