The Prince and Princess of Wales have travelled to Belfast for an afternoon of engagements, learning about employment for those at risk of homelessness
The Prince and Princess of Wales have made a surprise trip to Northern Ireland to see how William’s Homewards project is helping young people into work.
William and Kate have arrived in a rainy Belfast for an afternoon of engagements, where they will chat to those who are helping create employment opportunities for those at risk of homelessness.
The visit is aimed at highlighting a pilot project launched in Northern Ireland by William’s Homewards project – to help end homelessness – that has supported young people into work and helped them build in confidence. The pilot is now being rolled out further in other locations supported by Homewards and is now being supported by several major national UK companies.
Kensington Palace said: “Through a series of engagements, Their Royal Highnesses will hear how sustainable employment, combined with strong relationships and ongoing support, can help young people build confidence, stability, independence and a sense of purpose.
“They will also learn about the vital role that employers, public services and community organisations play in creating the conditions for people to thrive through meaningful connections, a sense of belonging and opportunities to contribute – powerful tools in preventing homelessness.
“This forms part of Homewards’ five-year programme, which aims to demonstrate that homelessness can be made rare, brief and unrepeated.” Earlier this year, William said homelessness “affects us all” as he issued a rallying cry for communities to do more to solve the issue.
The Prince of Wales marked the third anniversary of his ambitious Homewards project in June and told how the issue affecting thousands of people across the country needs to be discussed more to deliver more focus in key areas to help more people find a permanent home.
At the time, the prince announced the project had raised £7.7million in funding to add to £50m in support from Lloyds bank to spur the five year project onto achieving the goals set out in 2023.
But William said there was more to be done, including in the six trial locations – Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Lambeth, Newport, Northern Ireland and Sheffield – where radical reforms are taking place to show homelessness can be alleviated.
Previously, the Prince of Wales has said he has “no other agenda” than “desperately trying to help” people in need through his drive to tackle homelessness and describes how he views his royal role as attempting to influence and help where he can.
He said on launching the campaign: “I think everyone having a right to a safe and stable home benefits us all. I come with no other agenda than desperately trying to help people who are in need. And I see that as part of my role; why else would I be here if I’m not using this role properly to influence and help people where I can?”
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