Prince William has told how he finds the issue of homelessness “terrifying”, as he learned how charities are helping children as young as nine stay off the streets.
The Prince of Wales yesterday echoed the work of his late mother Princess Diana with a visit to Depaul UK where outreach staff described how the pandemic had been a “major contributing factor” for hundreds of people accessing vital services.
William has vowed to make the matter a “key theme” of his public work throughout the coming year.
After being welcomed by chief executive Mike Thiedke to the charity’s London base in Bermondsey, south London, William joined a round table discussion with staff working across the country to help those affected.
William said: “There are a large number of services that you operate, so tell me a bit about how you identify who is at risk, how do you take them to the next step and how do they find what support can be provided.”
Education coordinator Rebecca Baines said: “Some of the big issues that we face with young people is that when they think of homelessness they think of rough sleeping, so a lot of young people may be experiencing it but they might not realise it, sleeping on couches, staying with friends where they can, so it’s all about education, because a lot of young people won’t reach out before it is far too late.
“So once they realise that our services are relevant to them we are usually met with open arms and they realise we can help and support them.”
Latest figures last year showed there were 120,000 young people and children either at risk of homelessness or were homeless throughout the country.
The charity classifies young people as between 18 and 24, but works regularly with teenagers as young as 13.
Clearly engaged, William said: “And what sort of age group are you seeing who are at risk of homelessness starting?”
Rebecca added: “It’s really difficult. I am working with key stage 3, so from 13 upwards who are in real danger of becoming homelessness, already had fallouts at home, relationship breakdowns so we are seeing young people from the age of 13 who have already left home, staying at friends houses, sofa surfing, but obviously that is not sustainable.”
Nicola Harwood, executive director of services, told William: “From our family mediation services we are seeing children as young as nine or 10 we are trying to support through addressing those issues at home before they escalate, before it ends up needing support from support from social services, so there’s quite a big age gap.”
Visibly shocked, William said: “It is isn’t it - it starts so young, it’s terrifying.”
Depaul UK was founded more than 30 years ago and specialises in supporting young people, who are often the most vulnerable in society.
The late Diana, Princess of Wales undertook three engagements with Depaul UK, in 1990, 1993 and 1995.
Notably she opened the first Depaul Trust Hostel in Willesden in June 1995.
Last year William sold The Big Issue on the streets of London and spent the day with vendors to learn how the issues surrounding homelessness were affecting them.
The Prince will also be supporting his wife Kate as she launches a national campaign for youngsters at the end of the month.
Last June the future king pledged to continue “shining” a light on the “solvable issue” of homelessness - and to introduce his children to charities supporting rough sleepers.
William became a cover star of the Big Issue after joining a seller on the streets of London last summer, penning an article for the magazine about his experiences.
He described his time with vendor Dave Martin as “eye opening” and said he was recognised by those who stopped to buy the magazine, which allows the homeless to earn income by selling the publication.
Wills also met young people who had turned their lives around with the help of Depaul after finding themselves on the verge of being homeless and on the streets and told they were “not a priority” by local authorities.
KEEP! Service user Ruth, who met the prince, said: “You could hear how interested he was, it was good to know that he cares and wants to look into this.
“He asked such questions like how could we move forward and what could I suggest which shows there’s a level of progress that he wants to happen,
which is hopeful.”
Asked about the Prince of Wales’s visit, CEO Mike said: “I has a chat with (former CEO of Depaul who met Diana) and he had spent quite a lot of time with Diane.
“She was so passionate about falling through the cracks of a system.
“ think that upset her a lot whether she engaged with homeless people, or with people who were HIV positive.
“And it seems that her sons have stepped into this.
“And I think having a principal in here now shows us that that seems to be something that is consistent.
“When you have the influence and power to change narrative and obviously,
Prince William has that with the foundation behind him.
“There’s a real understanding, I know that he is very close to other homelessness organisations as well, and that understanding of needing to change the narrative.
“We need to give a bit of a positive spin to it because it’s not all dire you know, that is so important.”
