Today: 15 March 2025
28 June 2023
2 mins read

Prince William targets homelessness in Aberdeen

Known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, the prince has previously has said homelessness should not exist in a “modern and progressive society”…reports Asian Lite News

Prince William has visited Aberdeen as he launches a five-year campaign aimed at ending homelessness in the UK. The Prince of Wales’s charitable foundation is putting in £3m of funding in a bid to make homelessness “rare, brief and unrepeated”.

Aberdeen was the only Scottish leg of a two-day whistle-stop tour of the UK, which had begun on Monday. He visited Tillydrone Community Campus to learn about the work being done.

Speaking to a team of nurses working in a health unit set up at the facility, he said: “You guys have been chosen for a reason.

“You’ve got ambition, you’re doing amazing work and we want to help what you’re doing. It’s not just about a person sleeping in the street – support services are crucial.”

Known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, the prince has previously has said homelessness should not exist in a “modern and progressive society”.

Ahead of the launch, Prince William had discussed the project with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and the first ministers of Scotland and Wales.

It is a cause that is deeply personal to the prince, which he has linked to the influence of his mother, Princess Diana, who brought him to homelessness charities as a child.

There are believed to be more than 300,000 people currently homeless across the UK, which includes those who are in hostels and temporary accommodation, living in cars and sofa-surfing, as well as people who are sleeping rough.

Prince William’s plan is to bring together local coalitions of housing experts, charities and private industry to develop housing projects and support services, addressing different ways that homelessness occurs, whether in big cities or coastal towns.

In Aberdeen, the prince met Danni Jack – who described being “on the streets” for two months in 2022.

“It was definitely a rough one,” the 18-year-old said of being homeless. “I’d say a traumatic experience that taught me a lot. “I now know how to survive, and that through any hard days there are good ones to match. I feel like it definitely needs to be talked about a bit more. There’s a giant stigma around youth homelessness. It affected my life immensely. Because of my time on the streets, I didn’t pass college. I’m going back to do that this year and hopefully I’ll finally achieve the grade I never could.”

The campaign has published opinion polling from Ipsos of more than 3,000 adults in the UK, which suggests the level of public concern and support for an intervention.

Anti-monarchy group Republic said homelessness was about government policy and investment and would not be “resolved by charity or royal patronage”. However, Kensington Palace said it was about the prince using his public platform to make a positive difference.

ALSO READ-Crown prince leads Saudi delegation for New Global Financial Pact

Previous Story

Paris event honours UNESCO-Sharjah prize for Arab Culture winners

Next Story

‘Wagner chief was warned his forces would be crushed like a bug’

Latest from -Top News

US pullback on Gaza plan welcomed 

The Hamas movement also responded positively, stating that the reversal was a welcome move….reports Asian Lite News Palestinian, Jordanian, and Egyptian officials have welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to abandon his

Can AI Transform the Future of India-GCC Ties? 

One area where AI can significantly enhance India-GCC cooperation is in the field of supply chain management and logistics. …writes Sudhanshu Kumar and Rashi Randev  Recently, a few months back, the External

Syrian leader signs constitutional declaration 

The declaration enshrines several fundamental rights, including freedom of opinion, expression, the press, and access to information.  Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa signed the draft Constitutional Declaration on Thursday, marking a significant step

Sheikh Mohammed Hosts Ramadan Gathering 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid emphasised that this year’s Ramadan coincides with “The Year of Community,” offering a significant opportunity to reinforce national unity and strengthen social bonds.  His Highness Sheikh
Go toTop