Prince William and the Royal Foundation launch UK-wide Programme to end homelessness
This week saw Prince William launch Homewards, a five year locally led programme across six locations in the UK which will demonstrate that together it is possible to end homelessness: making it rare, brief and non-recurring.
As a bid partner, the Foyer is thrilled that Aberdeen has been chosen as one of those flagship locations.
Homewards will take a transformative approach to the issue of homelessness placing collaboration at its heart and giving the six flagship locations tools and relationships to showcase what can be achieved through a collective effort and shared agenda to prevent homelessness from occurring. The five-year programme will see Aberdeen City Council, communities and third sector organisations, including Aberdeen Foyer, come together to create and deliver a tailored plan to prevent homelessness in Aberdeen – based on local needs and lived expertise.
Aberdeen was revealed as one of the six locations on Tuesday (27 June) when Prince William visited Tillydrone Community Campus to meet representatives of Aberdeen City Council, other project partners, and people with lived experience of homelessness.
Aberdeen Foyer CEO Leona McDermid and other partners sat down with Prince William to talk about the project. Leona McDermid said:
“Post pandemic, the numbers of young people currently at risk or experiencing homelessness is on the increase again in Aberdeen. We share the bold ambition of Homewards that homelessness is preventable and are excited to work with The Royal Foundation, partners and young people over the next five years.
Prince William said:
“In a modern and progressive society, everyone should have a safe and secure home, be treated with dignity and given the support they need.
It's a big task, but I firmly believe that by working together it is possible to make homelessness rare, brief, and unrepeated and I am very much looking forward to working with our six locations to make our ambition a reality.”