About us
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Founded in the 1980s as the National Tower Blocks Network, we relaunched as Tower Blocks UK in 2017—a dedicated not-for-profit organisation focused on sharing essential information and resources. Our mission is to support individuals and groups who live in tower blocks or are concerned about their safety. Through our user-led lived experience, we understand the unique challenges associated with tower block living and we strive to provide the guidance necessary to navigate many of these issues.
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At Tower Blocks UK, our mission is to empower tenants and residents by amplifying their voices and advocating for actionable change. Many families and individuals living in tower blocks across the UK face significant challenges, from fire safety concerns to aging and dangerous structures. Our goal is to equip tenants with the resources to influence decisions that affect their homes and communities.
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We achieve this through:
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Empowerment: We actively support tenants and residents in becoming engaged participants in discussions about their living conditions, helping them advocate effectively for their rights and safety.
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Expanding Our Services: We enhance our offerings by providing a wealth of online resources, including practical tools and templates to help residents implement their housing rights, as well as transparent information on fire safety and structural integrity. We also provide citizen journalism training.
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Sharing Best Practices: We promote collaboration by showcasing successful strategies from tenants, residents, and landlords. By sharing these examples, we aim to inspire and foster a culture of continuous improvement in tower block safety.
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We are committed to promoting a safer and more supportive environment for tower block residents. We invite you to join us in our mission to drive change, share knowledge, and advocate for the rights of tenants across the UK.
Get in touch with us to learn more, share your stories, or contribute your suggestions.
We Say
What Needs to Happen
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To improve safety in tower blocks, we believe the following actions are essential:
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A comprehensive review of all Large Panel System (LPS) blocks.
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The continued implementation of significant improvements to the Building Regulations.
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Establishing further procedures that empower tenants and residents to address concerns related to Building Regulations effectively.
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The installation of sprinklers in all residential tall buildings.
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The removal of all dangerous cladding.
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Government funding to facilitate these vital changes.
What are your thoughts? What additional measures do you believe are necessary? We’d love to hear from you—please share your insights through our contact form.
Who are we?
Sam Webb (co-founder)
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Sam Webb dedicated over 40 years to supporting tenants and advocating for building safety. He was a nationally elected member of both the RIBA Council and the Architectural Association Council, and he served on the RIBA Professional Conduct Committee. As Technical Advisor to the All Party Parliamentary Fire Safety & Rescue Group, Sam played a crucial role in fire safety advocacy, and he was also a member of the President of the RIBA's Expert Advisory Group investigating the Grenfell Tower Fire. He also acted as an Expert Witness on behalf of the families during the Lakanal House Inquest.
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In recognition of his outstanding contributions to architecture and community safety, Sam was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours 2021. Sadly, Sam passed away on September 24, 2022. However, his dedication, passion, and legacy continue to inspire our work at Tower Blocks UK.
Liz Lowe (co-founder)
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Liz has extensive experience working within communities and as a senior professional in both Local and Central Government. With a strong background in social care, she has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by residents in tower blocks.
As a social care team leader, Liz collaborated with the Newham Tower Blocks Tenants Campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with local tower blocks, advocating for necessary safety improvements. Additionally, she led the campaign to rebuild the Freemasons Estate, focusing on enhancing community well-being. Through her dedication and leadership, Liz has made a significant positive impact on the lives of tower block residents over the past 40 years.
Frances Clarke (co-founder)
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Frances is a dedicated community worker and campaigner with over 40 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has focused on empowering residents and addressing critical issues within their communities. In the 1980s and 90s, Frances worked with Community Links, engaging with residents of the Freemasons’ estate in the London Borough of Newham. During this time, she tackled numerous safety concerns and played a vital role in raising awareness of these issues at a national level.
Frances produced two national directories of tower blocks, highlighting a range of structural, social, and safety issues affecting residents during that period. She has also worked with the Department for Environment and the housing charity Shelter.
Danielle Gregory (Project Manager)
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Danielle is a passionate advocate for rights and social justice, specialising in the housing sector. In 2017, she founded the Ledbury Action Group, where she engaged in grassroots activism, lobbying, and campaigning to secure protected rights to safe and secure housing within London.
Danielle's work involves researching and investigating critical housing issues, with the aim of highlighting areas of concern that affect residents. She actively seeks to influence and shape policies and legislative changes within local and central government, advocating for the rights of council and housing association tenants. Through her commitment and expertise, Danielle plays a vital role in promoting housing justice and improving living conditions for vulnerable communities.
Our partners
