A ROUGH sleeper has said he believes new sleeping pods for the homeless in Newport have “saved” his life.

The man, who is not being named, also revealed he recently became so desperate to sleep somewhere warm he was prepared to commit a crime in order to have access to a “warm prison cell”.

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South Wales Argus:

Inside the pod being used

He became homeless in 2016 and said he has since divided his time between sleeping in doorways and tents in the city centre.

The 39-year-old, from Pill, said: “I was only moments away from doing something that would get me in prison,” he said.

“It was so, so cold. It was freezing in the tent. I honestly thought I might die.

“The only place that I knew which would be warm is prison.”

But that all changed after he was invited by the charity Amazing Grace Spaces to use one of their newly-opened sleeping pods.

Charity Amazing Grace Spaces first unveiled the pods in October 2018, having recorded a rise in the number of rough sleepers in many cities.

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South Wales Argus:

The pod in use

And this month it arranged for two pods to be sited in the city centre, after a businessman gave permission for them to be placed on land at the back of his site.

The man, who moved into one of the pods four weeks ago, said he now feels more positive about his future.

He said: “I love the pod. It is warm and dry. It is my new temporary home.

“You have everything you need in there really.

“I feel safe in there - that was not the case in the tent.

“Everyone has said I am looking better since being in the pod.

“It really did save my life.

“I now want to go into supportive living - that is my aim. I feel that my life is turning around.

South Wales Argus:

And he has also called for more of the pods to be installed.

“I want to thank Stuart and Caroline Johnson, of Amazing Grace Spaces charity, for inviting me into the pod.”

The pods cost £5,500 each.

They provide access to a bed, light, toilet and phone charger.

The charity plans to increase the number of pods in Newport by two in the next few weeks.

For more information on the pods and the charity Amazing Grace Spaces see http://amazinggracespaces.org/