This Damp and Mould Awareness Week is the perfect time to highlight the importance of understanding and tackling these issues in homes. Damp and mould in houses are more than just an eyesore. They can quietly erode health, particularly for young children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions. Yet many people live with these issues simply because they don't know how to tackle them or where to start.

Recognising this gap, NOCN Group partnered with Efficiency North to pilot a Damp and Mould Awareness course, designed to equip tenants, landlords, and housing professionals with the tools to identify, prevent, and manage damp and mould in everyday homes. The response was overwhelmingly positive: participants described the course as giving clear, practical guidance they could immediately apply in their own communities.

One participant said: "The course is insightful and informative, and the test at the end wasn't too difficult. It's a good, easy-to-navigate course that's broad and easy to understand."

The Importance of Damp and Mould Awareness

The death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in December 2020 tragically brought home the consequences of prolonged mould exposure. Due to prolonged exposure to black mould in his home, Awaab died as a result of a severe respiratory condition. In response, Awaab's Law, which will come into effect in October 2025, requires emergency housing hazards like damp and mould to be addressed within 24 hours, with other risks integrated into compliance measures by 2027. Awareness and education are key: knowing how to spot hazards and take action can prevent issues from escalating and keep homes safe.

Our Short Online Course: Practical and Flexible

To support this goal, NOCN Group offers a bite-sized online course that builds on these principles, offering interactive learning that's designed to fit around busy schedules.

Key elements include:

• Recognising different types of damp: Learn how to identify issues, from condensation to mould.
• Practical solutions: Learn steps to mitigate and resolve issues safely.
• Community impact: Explore how damp and mould affect households and neighbourhoods.
• Self-paced learning: Online, interactive content with assessments ensures knowledge is embedded.
• Certification: Validate your learning with a digital certificate upon completion.

The course is ideal for tenants, housing professionals, landlords, and leaseholders, as well as anyone who wants to take a proactive role in creating healthier homes.

Level 2 Award: Going deeper

For those wanting to expand their expertise, NOCN Group also offers a Level 2 Award in Understanding Damp and Mould in Domestic Dwellings. This qualification provides:

• In-depth knowledge: The causes, effects, and nuances of damp and mould.
• Hands-on skills: How to identify, remedy, and manage issues effectively.
• Community focus: Understanding the broader social and economic implications.
• Supporting resources: Access comprehensive materials via the vLearn platform.
• Affordable training: Quality learning without a high price tag.

This course is particularly valuable for housing association staff, inspectors, landlords, and tenants who want to ensure their homes and communities are safe, while also supporting compliance with Awaab's Law.

Partnering with Efficiency North

Working with Efficiency North helped the Damp and Mould pilot course reach a broad audience and deliver tangible results. Participants highlighted how user-friendly and relevant the course was, and many reported applying their learning to improve their own homes or advising others in their communities. It wasn't just a training session; it was a stepping stone to real change.

"Education is fundamental when it comes to protecting people’s health and wellbeing, and this course is a fantastic way to help boost residents’ knowledge of what they can do to prevent and treat damp and mould in the home. It’s been brilliant to work with Efficiency North on this pilot scheme, and we’re hopeful we’ll be able to roll out the course to even more people to help spread awareness."
— Tracey Patmore, Head of Products, NOCN Group

Take Action for Healthier Homes

Register here to take our courses:

Short Online course: Available anytime via the NOCN Hub

NOCN Level 2 Award in Understanding Damp and Mould in Domestic Dwellings