Prince William visited Aberdeen on Thursday 19th September to meet with essential workers from across the homelessness sector in the local area and representatives from the Homewards Aberdeen Coalition. His Royal Highness used the opportunity to thank all those involved in supporting people experiencing homelessness across the local area.
Homewards is a five-year programme, created by Prince William and The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, which aims to demonstrate that it is possible to end homelessness, making it rare, brief and unrepeated. Aberdeen is one of six locations which is being provided with the space, tools and expertise to deliver and demonstrate innovative solutions that prevent and end homelessness, creating tried and tested models that can be scaled.
His Royal Highness first visited Shelter Scotland’s Aberdeen office to hear more about the services that they are delivering to support members of the local community who are on the brink of or experiencing homelessness. Shelter Scotland exists to defend the right to a safe home and address the impact the housing emergency has on people and society.
Shelter Scotland is a member of the Homewards Aberdeen Coalition and will play a pivotal role in delivering early intervention support for young people, with the view to delivering training around financial literacy, tenancy skills training and other educational resources for local schools, colleges and universities.
His Royal Highness met with staff working in the Aberdeen office and heard from individuals who have been supported out of homelessness by the organisation.
Prince William then joined members of the Aberdeen homelessness sector at a special event, hosted by Homewards Aberdeen, in partnership with Homeless Network Scotland, to recognise the crucial role they are all playing in preventing homelessness in the city and supporting those most in need.
Attendees were nominated by their organisations for their tireless efforts, and heard from inspirational and informative speakers. The event served as an opportunity to thank them for their work and bring together some of the local sector to share best practice, learnings and further develop local networks.
The Prince also joined small groups of representatives from across the area to hear about their experience working in the sector locally before giving brief remarks thanking attendees for their efforts.
Find out more about Homewards