Prince Williamis highlighting the plight of the homeless, underlining that his support is not waning despite his change in royal role as Prince of Wales.
On Thursday, William visited the London hub ofDepaul— an organization founded in 1989 that works in local communities across the U.K. to prevent and relieve the impact of homelessness on people’s lives.
In fact, Diana visited Depaul three times — in 1990, 1993 and 1995 — opening the first Depaul Trust Hostel in Willesden in June 1995.
Prince William.Kirsty Wigglesworth - WPA Pool/Getty Images
During his visit on Thursday morning, the prince met with staff and spoke to clients, past and present. He heard how the charity’s support services include medium-long term supported accommodation, and support that helps young people access education and employment and manage their mental health and wellbeing.
Prince William talks to clients during a visit to Depaul, a youth homelessness charity.Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/Shutterstock
William was also updated on the charity’s innovative homelessness prevention services, from educational workshops in schools to family support and mediation. It also has an award-winning Nightstop service that provides same-night emergency accommodation in the homes of trained and vetted hosts across the U.K.
For his40th birthday last June, Williamtook part in an interviewforThe Big Issue, which supports homeless people, andeven sold copieson the streets of London.
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Prince William talks with client Ruth during a visit to Depaul, a youth homelessness charity.Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/Shutterstock
In his opinion piece for TheBig Issue, William said: “I refuse to believe that homelessness is an irrevocable fact of life. It is an issue that can be solved, but that requires a continued focus and comprehensive support network,” he wrote.
The Prince of Wales’s office says that Depaul shares that ethos, delivering workshops with schools to provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to meet their challenges and prevent youth homelessness. Depaul also works with the government, local authorities, religious groups and other NGOs to develop new ways of responding to homelessness.
source: people.com
