HOMELESS youngster Phil Joyce has gone from sleeping rough at Lydney rugby to the dreamy spires of Oxford.

The 22-year-old has been given a second chance in life after being inspired by staff at a Forest homeless hostel.

This week he set off from Acorn House in Cinderford to take a course at Ruskin College, Oxford.

Phil hopes it will be the start of a new life and wants to make his family proud.

After leaving school he started work on building sites but knew it was not for him and started to go off the rails.

It all came to a head when he ended up spending two weeks sleeping rough in the stands of Lydney Rugby Club.

Since being found a bed at Acorn House he has not looked back and now wants to follow in the footsteps of Mark Hepburn who works there.

"I did construction in school and then worked for two years," he said.

"Even though I enjoyed it at first, I knew it wasn't for me.

"Being here has really opened my eyes and I want to get a job helping people in the same situation.

"I know there's a long way to go and it's going to be hard, but I want to change my life."