Prince William’s five-year programme to demonstrate that together it is possible to end homelessness is today marking a year of progress with a special event in Lambeth, one of the six flagship locations.
Over the past year, Homewards has been working with the six locations (Aberdeen; Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole; Lambeth; Newport; Northern Ireland and Sheffield) to form coalitions which will drive the project forward locally and build action plans to put Homewards’ six locations on a trajectory to end homelessness.
Homewards has already generated unprecedented support for the flagship locations in their work to tackle homelessness and laid the foundations for success by:
- Forming strong local coalitions. Homewards has convened 539 individuals and organisations across the six locations, bringing in new partners – some of whom are engaging with homelessness for the first time.
- Securing unprecedented partnerships. Eleven uniquely placed industry-leading companies are providing expertise and in-kind support to the Homewards locations. This includes Homebase’s commitment to providing ‘Home Starter Packs’ to the innovative housing projects and securing 500 jobs for people experiencing homelessness as part of Pret A Manger’s extended Rising Stars Programme.
- Generating systems change by shifting focus to prevention. Establishing a pipeline of nearly 100 homes for those who already experience or are on the brink of experiencing homelessness through innovative housing projects; delivering a programme of webinars to an audience of over 800 to share best practice and learnings and supporting the six locations to embed lived experience across every part of their approach.
- Working to change the narrative. Homewards is focused on improving understanding about the different forms of homelessness, shifting perceptions and boosting optimism that homelessness can be ended. To that end, Homewards will soon launch an exhibition with the Saatchi Gallery and will feature in an exclusive two-part ITV documentary series which explores homelessness in the UK today and follows the first year of the Homewards programme.
“Over the last year we have been working in partnership with six locations across the UK, bringing people and organisations together to create the foundations on which to build long-term change. Inspired by our belief that it is possible to end homelessness, we are already demonstrating what can be achieved if we all work together. We are immensely grateful to the committed people, organisations and businesses who are working with us to prove homelessness can be prevented and solutions found.”
–Amanda Berry OBE, CEO, The Royal Foundation.
