Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH) has been shortlisted for Innovation of the Year and Welfare Wise categories at this year's annual 24housing Awards.

The 24housing awards takes place at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry and brings the housing sector together to recognise the good work that is done - and the individuals and teams who help to do it.

CBH has been shortlisted in the categories recognising innovation in the sector, and commitment to supporting tenants and local residents who need help with benefits.

In the first category, CBH's Help2 scheme has been shortlisted in recognition of the positive impact it has on tenants' lives. 

The scheme is a flexible support and crisis fund where colleagues recommend tenants for extra help to help them overcome hardships they may be experiencing. 

Over the last two years, Help2 has helped tenants to decorate their homes, provide new white goods and tackle food poverty. 

Last year, John Lewis selected the scheme for its first 'Community Matters' campaign after opening in Cheltenham High Street, and donated £800 to Help2 as a result.

For the Welfare Wise category, CBH has been recognised for the efforts made to support local residents through the rollout of Universal Credit. CBH set up a drop-in service at Cheltenham Jobcentre to provide advice and support to people in Cheltenham who were experiencing difficulties with the implementation of Universal Credit. 

In the first full year alone, the team helped 677 people, advising and supporting them through benefit claims and signposting to support available.

The work the team does has seen them build fantastic relationships with Jobcentre staff, the Department of Work and Pensions and other local partners to help support as many people as possible.

Paul Stephenson (pictured), chief executive at Cheltenham Borough Homes, said: "It's fantastic news that we've been shortlisted in two categories for some of the amazing work we do here at CBH.

"A lot of our focus, and that of the industry, is on building and maintaining homes - and rightly so. 

"But we're also proud of the work we are doing to support the people who live in our homes. 

"They're the people who our communities are built around, and sometimes they need support from us. This nomination is recognition of the efforts of our staff and I couldn't be more proud."

The ceremony takes place on 10th October.