Prince William vowed to tackle the “cliff edge” of homelessness on a visit to Centrepoint in Ealing to hear how the charity helps young people turn their lives around.
The Prince of Wales, 41, marked 20 years as patron of the organisation by meeting youngsters who’ve overcome huge challenges to study at university, start businesses, and build a future.
Kicking off the visit, William, dressed down in a blue cardigan and chinos, joined a competitive game of table football with residents. “This looks like it’s getting serious,” he joked, adding, “I don’t want to let you down!”
One player, Bethany, 24, shared her journey with the royal, explaining how Centrepoint helped her escape homelessness at 17 with a young child. She went on to study at the London School of Economics.
“It was the safety net I needed, and without them, I don’t know where I would be now,” Bethany said.
William praised her as “one of the shining examples of how Centrepoint can help people.”
After drawing 2-2, the prince declared the match “an honourable draw” before moving outside to join a boxing session led by the Boxwise Foundation, which uses sport to combat gang violence and knife crime.
Gloves on, the future king got stuck into a series of jabs and hooks. “I’m working up a sweat already!” he said, later joking, “I might get back into boxing—it’s seriously hard work.”
Inside, William met Nora, 21, who set up her own hairdressing salon despite being homeless as a teen. He called her story “truly amazing” and agreed more must be done to support young people early on.
“We have to do more to help people as early as possible, because the cliff edge is quite big,” he said. “It can be a steep curve upwards if you get the right support, but a huge drop off if you don’t.”
Centrepoint CEO Seyi Obakin called William a “true ambassador” for the cause: “The more he takes on, the more he knows he could be open to criticism… but he listens and he can be the change.”
The visit is part of William’s five-year homelessness project, Homewards, now in its second year.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “The Prince is focussed on the action that can take place across the six locations. He will no doubt take inspiration from the innovative approach he saw at Centrepoint today.”
