A new sleeping pod to support the homeless across the community has been opened at a charity in Salford.

The energy-efficient prototype sleepers pod is located in Emmaus Salford’s car park, giving those sleeping rough the opportunity to relax in a safe environment.

The pod has been adorned with a huge mural of the charity’s founder, Abbé Pierre, courtesy of Manchester-based street artist, Akse P19. It also features a quote from Pierre that reads “A smile costs less than electricity, but gives as much light.”

In a collaboration between the University of Salford and construction firm, Casey, the outdoor pod accompanies the charity’s selection of indoor temporary accommodations.

Artist, Akse 19 described the importance of the mural of the pod in a Facebook post. They wrote: “Abbé Pierre was a French catholic priest and former member of the French Resistance who founded the Emmaus movement after the Second World War, focusing on helping homeless people in Paris. “Emmaüs” comes from the name of a village in Palestine where despair was transformed into hope.

“The Emmaus movement has since grown in over 40 countries around the World, including 30 communities spread across the UK, which is the largest Emmaus community outside France. Emmaus Salford supports formerly homeless people by providing them with a stable home, meaningful work and support for as long as they need it.”

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