Prince William will be visiting Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole today, Friday February 28, to unveil a new partnership which will help to deliver new homes and combat homelessness.
He is aiming to unveil a new Homewards Activator partnership which will help to deliver homes across the six Homewards locations.
As well as the goal to combat homelessness and help those who are or have been affected, there are also efforts in place to change people’s perceptions.
There is an active team working to challenge people’s perceptions of individual’s who have are homeless, or who have experienced homelessness in the past.
The Homewards initiative was launched in 2023 and in its first year, the initiative saw around 97 organisations and individuals join.
The initiative has seen partnerships with well-known brands such as Pret A Manger, Sunseeker and AFC Bournemouth.
Prince William visits BCP to unveil new Homewards partnership. (Image: PA)
Today, the Prince will visit an organisation offering housing with support to those who have mental health needs and are at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the local area.
The organisation offering housing will provide an example of new homes that could be delivered through the new Homewards Activator Partnership.
During his visit to the area, Prince William will also meet current residents to see how the organisation is helping them develop skills to live independently in a healthy, safe, living space.
He will continue to visit Bournemouth and Poole College, as Homewards BCP has identified young people under the age of 25 as a ‘key cohort’ that they can and need to support.
In 2024, Sunseeker, Bournemouth and Poole College and Faithworks collaborated to create training placements for people who had experiences of homelessness.
It is stated that Homewards BCP have prioritised “clearing the path to employment and training” as a key way of supporting young people.
With the visit, Prince William will also be able to see and understand how Homewards has combined the college and Homewards Coalition members to create new and successful employment pathways for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in the local area.