Prince William is ramping up efforts to combat homelessness with a visit to Aberdeen, Scotland. Teaming up with TV personality Gail Porter and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, the Prince of Wales, 42, spent the day showcasing key developments in his five-year Homewards initiative.
A Hands-On Approach to Change
During his visit, Prince William viewed some of the first homes constructed under Homewards, a nationwide project trialing new ways to address homelessness. Aberdeen is one of six pilot locations, each testing unique, location-specific solutions.
Scotland-born Porter, 54, has been instrumental in amplifying the initiative’s reach. She and Prince William visited the Innovative Housing Project, where they explored housing solutions designed to provide long-term stability for vulnerable individuals.
Addressing Youth Homelessness
The statistics are stark. Between 2023 and 2024, youth homelessness in Aberdeen rose by 3.9%. In response, the Homewards Aberdeen Coalition is prioritizing support for young people.
Prince William’s day began at Aberdeen Foyer, an organization committed to preventing youth homelessness and poverty. He participated in a workshop discussing the direction of Project Flourish, a groundbreaking recruitment initiative helping at-risk young people secure employment. Companies like Specsavers and Amey are among those lending their support.
- Flourish, the UK’s first pro bono recruitment service, is designed specifically to remove barriers preventing young people from accessing jobs.
- Created by EveryYouth and Hays, it directly tackles the hiring challenges faced by those who have experienced homelessness.
Nicholas Connolly, CEO of EveryYouth, emphasized the initiative’s impact: “Many young people experiencing homelessness are eager to work, but standardized recruitment practices and lack of resources hold them back. Project Flourish is already transforming lives.”
Expanding Support Beyond Aberdeen
Hays, a major recruitment agency, has stepped up as an activator for Homewards. Their role extends beyond Aberdeen, as they commit to:
| Initiative | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Employment & Training | Securing job opportunities across all six Homewards locations |
| Data Insights | Providing crucial analysis on employment barriers |
| National Partnerships | Expanding impact through collaborations with businesses |
By combining data-driven insights with tangible employment opportunities, Hays aims to break the cycle of homelessness on a broader scale.
A Cause Rooted in Personal History
Prince William’s dedication to this cause is longstanding. His passion for tackling homelessness was inspired by his mother, Princess Diana, who took him and Prince Harry to homeless centers during their childhood. Since then, he has been deeply involved in organizations like Centrepoint and The Passage.
His latest visit to Aberdeen reaffirms his commitment. By merging royal influence with grassroots action, Prince William is not just highlighting homelessness—he’s actively working to solve it.
