A Newport-based charity working to help end homelessness has been hailed “truly remarkable and inspirational” by Natasha Asghar MS.
The South Wales East politician recently headed to one of Amazing Grace Spaces’ properties in the city, which offers women leaving rehab, prison, or rough sleeping accommodation.
Natasha met with husband-and-wife team Caroline and Stuart Johnson who launched the charity and met with some of the women being supported by Amazing Grace Spaces.
Caroline and Stuart adopt a personal approach, providing women in need with a stepping stone to rebuild their lives and get back on their feet.
As well as providing accommodation, Amazing Grace Spaces has also created Emergency Urban Sleeper Pods which has been rolled out in towns across the UK.
The pods – which feature a bed, toilet, and USB socket – provide a safe haven for someone waiting for permanent accommodation.
The self-contained units, which offer emergency accommodation for people sleeping rough, have proved extremely successful as part of work to combat homelessness.
During the visit, which coincided with Charity Week, Natasha also met with representatives from Lloyds Bank which supports Amazing Grace Spaces.
Not only has Lloyds Bank provided the charity with grant funding to carry out its work, but it also offers a wrap-around service with help when it comes to business plans, marketing, connections, fundraising, and governance.
Commenting after the visit, Natasha Asghar MS said:
“Amazing Grace Spaces is a truly remarkable and inspirational charity, and I take my hat off to Caroline and Stuart for all the fantastic work they do every single day.
“The women seeking help from the charity are often at rock-bottom and Amazing Grace Spaces offers something to those who sometimes have nothing.
“It was a real pleasure to meet with some of the women supported by Amazing Grace Spaces and hear first-hand how their lives have changed as a result.
“Lloyds Bank must also be commended for providing the charity with the funding and expertise needed for it to be able to carry out this stellar work. I am looking forward to working with Amazing Grace Spaces in any way I can going forward.”
