Prince William and The Royal Foundation have launched Homewards, a new UK-wide programme supported by major businesses and organisations across a range of sectors and industries, to demonstrate that together it is possible end homelessness – making it rare, brief and unrepeated.
The first businesses announcing their commitment to Homewards are Arup, The Duchy of Cornwall, FrameWorks UK, IKEA UK, Homebase, Ipsos, NatWest Group, Pret A Manger and Salesforce. Each will join the Homewards Partnership as Activators of the programme, contributing skills resources and investment to help develop and deliver the solutions needed to prevent homelessness in six UK locations.
In each location, set to be revealed over the coming days, local coalitions will be formed between committed local people, charitable organisations and businesses, who will work together to create and deliver an action plan to end homelessness in each area.
Also joining the Homewards Partnership are 16 Sector Partners – AKT, Big Issue Group, Centre for Homelessness Impact, Centrepoint, Crisis, Cymorth Cymru, Depaul International, Groundswell, Homeless Connect, Homeless Link, Homeless Network Scotland, Institute of Global Homelessness, Shelter, The Forward Trust, The Passage and World Habitat.
Homewards will also receive the support of advocates from across sports and entertainment, including: Fara Williams MBE, Gail Porter, Tyrone Mings, Geri Halliwell Horner, Sir Bryn Terfel, David Duke MBE, Sara Cox and Sabrina Cohen-Hatton.
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.
“Through Homewards, I want to make this a reality and over the next five years, give people across the UK hope that homelessness can be prevented when we collaborate.
“I am fortunate to have seen first-hand the tireless work of people and organisations across the sector, the tangible impact their efforts can have and what can be done when communities are able to focus on preventing homelessness, rather than managing it.
“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.”
