Congratulations to colleagues in our Income Team who won a UK Housing Award

Congratulations to colleagues in our Income Team who won a UK Housing Award

Well done to colleagues in our Income Team who won a UK Housing Award for the Best Financial Inclusion Initiative of the Year!

The team were named winners after demonstrating the impact their service has on our customers. Some of the key achievements for them include:

• Contacting customers at the start of their tenancy to assess their needs and whether they need any one-to-one support.
• Investing in our self-funded employment coaching to provide support finding employment.
• Developing an online energy animation, and energy handbook to provide energy efficiency hints/tips and working with customers to improve energy use efficiency.
• Our advisors in some instances being able to provide blankets/light bulbs/hot water bottles and other equipment, with access to hardship awards for energy credit during the cold weather periods.
• Working collaboratively with external organisations, such as at loan shark events, cost of living pop up events and working food hubs.
• Launching a new hardship fund. This is funded by donations from external partners keen to support the communities where they deliver services.

Head of Income, Paula Jenner, said: “Congratulations to the team on winning this award! I am really proud of them!

“The team has worked so hard to support our customers and this award recognises the outstanding job they collectively do. It’s external recognition of the positive difference the team makes as they are giving back to our customers.

“Our impact has changed some of our customers’ lives and it’s good for the team to be recognised for this.

“We want to be proactive and provide proactive advice for our customers.  We want to help them secure a job, offer them help and advice for employment, and help with their digital skills. It’s all about offering steps to improve their situation and make it more achievable for them to sustain their tenancy and pay rent.”

The UK Housing Awards recognised that our service provides much more than just money advice.

They said: “Citizen stood out because they had a great project which recognises that financial inclusion goes beyond just money advice – its great to see that they are also providing support in respect of employment, digital skills and energy.”

You can find out more about the awards and the other winners here.

Congratulations to the team!

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