So much more than pods (part 1)

What we do

Amazing Grace Space’s (AGS), provide a safe place for residents who would otherwise be homeless, risk of homelessness or are vulnerable housed in unsupported temporary accommodation. Our residents receive quality affordable accommodation and a high-level of support for their individual needs. Residents are in recovery of one of or any combination of addiction drugs / alcohol and other social /or economic problems including mental health and domestic violence and debt. Within the Gwent area our project is unique offering a holistic approach.

Why we do it

We currently have accommodation for ladies. While working in a residential rehabilitation program for 2 years I realised ladies who had recovered from addiction were going back to the same place they had lived before coming to the program they would be drug free returning to homeless or going back to a bad relationship. This was devastating to see. We were setting up Amazing Grace Spaces where I shared regularly with the Trustees the sadness of no support for the ladies who had worked hard to change their situations. We decided to partnership with Green Pastures and provide Grace house to support the ladies when leaving rehab, prison or where homeless on the street. AGS is the only Green Pastures accommodation for ladies in Wales.
It has been a privilege to develop the housing model for Amazing Grace Spaces in Newport it has been both challenging and exiting. In 2019 Green pastures purchased a 5 bedded property for Amazing Grace Spaces (Grace House) in Newport by December 2019 the property had been refurbished to an excellent condition we were able to take 4 residents into Grace house on the 2nd of December 3 of the ladies were homeless.

Within 3 months Covid hit it was a first tough season, we worked hard throughout the pandemic to support the ladies it allowed us to work on the housing model we have now established a good working model. Grace house is full we have 5 ladies living there. Grace house has accommodated 17 ladies’ long and short term since opening in 2019.
We treat and encourage ladies to be individuals, supporting them in their strength’s encouraging them to develop the areas they struggle with. We encourage community where staff, volunteers and residents at the house walk the journey together. It is a privilege to be part of the lady’s journey to see the ladies as they develop and grow.

Be sure to read part two of this article.

Discover more about Green Pastures here https://www.greenpastures.co.uk/

Further information can be found here https://amazinggracespaces.org/