Twelve people have been nominated for an award. Two of this year's finalists are gardeners. Malcolm Ricks, 55, from Bath, worked as a self-employed tree surgeon for many years before becoming homeless. He lived rough for several weeks and spent Christmas Day on the streets of Bath.
He then moved into a local hostel and volunteered for a charity gardening group. Ricks was soon inundated with gardening requests from the local community. He received a grant from Crisis, which has helped him to set up his own gardening business.
He said: "I'm feeling very focused and ambitious. Being homeless does weaken you but I now work in some lovely houses and gardens and I'm really enjoying life."
Alastair Kirkhope, 56, from Kelso, Roxburghshire, has been shortlisted in the long-term achiever category. He worked as an agronomist until 1995 when he lost his job, which led him to start drinking and lose his house and driving licence.
He said: "I made a conscious decision to change my life around and I don't regret one thing."
