Prince William turns his focus to homelessness during visit to Sheffield as conspiracies continue to swirl around Kate Middleton’s recovery after she is seen in Windsor
Prince William’s focus is very much on his work with the homeless today, despite the continuing interest in his wife’s recovery and return to royal duties.
The Prince of Wales will be in Sheffield this morning to unveil major commitments, secured through The Royal Foundation’s Homewards programme, to end the scourge of homelessness in the UK.
Family homelessness has been an increasing issue in recent years for the South Yorkshire city.
The city was announced as one of the six flagship ‘Homewards’ locations in June 2023 – areas across the UK where William and his team are laser-focusing their initial efforts to eradicate homelessness in the next five years, making it ‘rare, brief and unrepeated’.
It comes as a new video emerged of William and his wife Kate grocery shopping at the Windsor Farm Shop on Saturday, looking happy and relaxed.
June 27, 2023: Prince William poses during a visit to Reach Up Youth at the Verdon Recreation Centre in Sheffield during his visit last year to launch his homelessness initiative Homewards
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June 27, 2023: Prince William poses during a visit to Reach Up Youth at the Verdon Recreation Centre in Sheffield during his visit last year to launch his homelessness initiative Homewards
June 27, 2023: The Prince of Wales plays basketball on his previous visit to Sheffield last year
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June 27, 2023: The Prince of Wales plays basketball on his previous visit to Sheffield last year
The Princess of Wales, in particular, looked fit and well, shattering many of the ridiculous and sinister conspiracy theories about her health and whereabouts that have been circulating on social and in foreign media in recent weeks.
The Mail understands that the couple have become aware of much of what is being said and have been deeply saddened and distressed by the often vile speculation.
Kensington Palace have repeatedly declined to comment and a source close to William today made clear he was determined to ignore the conjecture.
‘His focus is Homewards today,’ they said.
The Prince’s initiative to end homelessness in the UK is one of his biggest personal passions and something he has pledged his commitment to for life.
William will today mark two major commitments to the Homewards programme to tackle homelessness in Sheffield and beyond.
DIY giant Homebase has pledged a major investment of £1million to support Homewards in furnishing and decorating new housing projects, while local Sheffield landlords have committed to provide an initial 31 homes for families at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness in the city.
During his time in the city, the Prince will join parents, carers and young adults from local families who have experienced housing insecurity and homelessness, alongside community representatives from organisations, as they take part in a workshop to co-design Homewards Sheffield’s innovative housing project.
March 11: Prince William and Kate are seen leaving Windsor together as they are driven in a car
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March 11: Prince William and Kate are seen leaving Windsor together as they are driven in a car
March 10: Kensington Palace released the first picture of Kate since her abdominal surgery
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March 10: Kensington Palace released the first picture of Kate since her abdominal surgery
He will also meet with local landlords to discuss how they can assist with ending family homelessness within the city and hear about housing commitments they are making to support the programme.
His first of two engagements will see him join a housing workshop to discuss solutions to support local families at risk of homelessness.
At The Learning Zone in the north-east of Sheffield, one of the areas of the city where families are disproportionately at risk of homelessness, the Prince will meet parents, carers and young adults from local families who have experienced homelessness and are taking part in a workshop to co-design Homewards Sheffield’s innovative housing project.
Each Homewards flagship location will deliver its own unique initiative, designed to meet local needs and test new ways to unlock homes at scale, both within their area and beyond.
During the workshop, those who have gone through housing insecurity and homelessness will share their thoughts and suggestions, spotlighting some of the key considerations that need to be made to best tackle the issue of family homelessness.
Housing influencer and campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa, whose own family experienced homelessness and housing insecurity, will also join the session to provide his guidance and expertise.
December 25, 2023: Kate was last seen with her family attending church at Sandringham
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December 25, 2023: Kate was last seen with her family attending church at Sandringham
Following the workshop, Prince William will join a meeting of local landlords, convened by Homewards, to discuss how they can work together to end family homelessness.
The conversation will also include Damian McCloughlin, chief executive of Homebase, who have pledged £1million to support all of the Homewards innovative housing projects and other housing solutions unlocked through Homewards with the provision of up to 1,500 ‘Home Starter Packs’.
Packs will also be provided in Nansledan, as part of a project recently announced by Prince William and his Duchy of Cornwall estate, to provide 24 homes with wrap around support for local people experiencing homelessness.
The starter packs will enable all residents supported by the Homewards innovative housing projects to make their new accommodation feel like home, and could include items such as paint, furniture and furnishings.
Each of the starter packs will be created in consultation with the residents moving into accommodation, alongside sector partners and housing experts, to ensure that the packs are tailored to their specific home needs.
