Prince William and Steven Bartlett launch new Homewards initiative to create job opportunities for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Prince William visited Aberdeen Foyer to launch a new initiative from The Royal Foundation’s Homewards programme which will see Hays, one of the UK’s leading recruitment experts, work with charities and employers to create employment pathways for those experiencing, or at risk of homelessness across the six Homewards locations.

His Royal Highness was joined in Aberdeen by Homewards Advocate Steven Bartlett, who has committed to use his platform to showcase the positive role and impact business can have in efforts to end homelessness.

The new partnership builds on Project Flourish, work that Hays began in 2023 when they partnered with EveryYouth, a youth homelessness movement which Aberdeen Foyer proudly partners with.

Being able to work, learn, and train is a fundamental part of feeling included. Yet, for many young people, this feels like a distant reality. Project Flourish is an employability programme that helps young people experiencing disadvantage develop the skills to secure meaningful employment and provides job-ready training and support, whilst helping employers create inclusive processes and environments.

National and local employers, including Specsavers and Amey, will be among the participants in the initiative.

Launched in 2023, Homewards is a five-year programme that aims to demonstrate that it is possible to end homelessness- making it rare, brief, and unrepeated. Now in its delivery phase, the programme is working with ‘Activator’ partners that can support the delivery of each location’s Action Plan. The need for employment pathways has been identified by the programme as crucial to preventing homelessness.

Nicholas Connolly, CEO, EveryYouth, says: “We are delighted that Homewards has recognised the life-changing power of Project Flourish, created in collaboration with Hays, just two years on from its inception.

“Many young people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness are desperate to work but their path is blocked by standardised recruitment practices and a lack of skilled support and resources. Project Flourish addresses these challenges and is already transforming lives. We cannot wait to see more truly inspiring stories as the scheme expands across the country.”

Karen Young, Social & Environmental Purpose Lead, Hays UK&I comments: “Hays and Homewards share the belief that sustainable employment is key to preventing and ultimately ending homelessness.

“We look forward to collaborating with Homewards to empower employers and create strong employment pathways for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“By combining Hays’ market expertise with Homewards, and Project Flourish created alongside EveryYouth, this partnership also aims to promote inclusive hiring, helping young people thrive and achieve independence.”

Homewards Advocate Steven Bartlett adds: “I’ve seen first-hand the power of meaningful employment for young people, particularly those who are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“It is so important to create recruitment and employment pathways that can support people to thrive and the impact that this new Homewards partnership will have on those at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, is so powerful.”