HOMELESS people in Swansea have been given a ray of hope.

Churches in the city have joined forces to offer a temporary shelter and hot food to people facing life on the streets.

The Swansea Night Shelter has been organised by a network of Christian churches of varying denominations known as Swansea Hope.

Rough sleepers looking to access the services of the shelter need to be referred by one of the city's outreach teams in order that more permanent housing can be found.

The service offers food and shelter for a maximum of 28 days to people who have found themselves homeless.

Father of two Shane Isaac was sleeping on the streets for two months before finding a roof over his head with the Swansea Night Shelter.

The 37-year-old from Neath hasn't seen his teenage children for years.

Shane also has three brothers and four sisters but said most of his family don't talk to him.

He spent Wednesday night at the Swansea Night Shelter and said: "I was living around Swansea for about eight years.

"I was homeless because I gave up my flat to move in with my girlfriend but it didn't work out.

"Life on the streets is cold.

"I had my money taken from me a couple of times when I was sleeping.

"It seemed like people were following me to wait until I was sleeping.

"It's still cold in the nights even in summer and in the winter you have to find somewhere dry and out of the wind."

Shane has two children aged 17 and 12 but said he doesn't see them at all.

He added: "I messed it all up over drugs.

"It hurts so much that I can't be with my children.

"It is my own fault and I am trying to learn from my mistakes.

"I am off all drugs now.

"I have a drink occasionally but not as bad as I was back in the day.

"I used to live to get wrecked.

"I've been in prison a couple of times and I don't want to go back there.

"My hope now is to get my own accommodation and to stay clean."

Former drummer Dean Small was also enjoying a meal at the Swansea Night Shelter on Wednesday night and said sleeping rough could be a scary experience.

The 34-year-old is a father with a 14-year-old daughter and has been homeless since coming out of prison in December last year.

He said: "I was sleeping in doorways and car parks in Newport.

"It is very scary when the rain is coming down and it is Friday night and there's a lot of drunk people about.

"There have been many times when I have feared for my life.

"I feel safe in places like the Swansea Night Shelter.

"I'm hoping to find a solid future.

"It's not just for me, it's for my daughter."

Mandy Harvey, Swansea Night Shelter project co-ordinator, said: "There is a bigger homelessness crisis than we have ever had before.

"It is nationwide because of the times we live in.

"The need for help is greater than ever before.

"The council was not able to house all the rough sleepers during the colder winter months but it was something that we could do.

"We work alongside the council and homelessness agencies to find out which rough sleepers are in need of accommodation.

"We provide a hot meal, a bed for the night and breakfast in the morning for a 28-day period.

"We all make mistakes in life and some of us live with great consequences.

"These people are living with pretty tough consequences."

rupert.hall@swwmedia.co.uk

My view: By Scott McLauchlan, 21, from Bonymaen