Discover William’s visit to the first Homewards home in Aberdeen tackling homelessness Por Beatriz
10 min de leitura
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The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, made history in Aberdeen on Thursday, March 27, 2025, by visiting the first resident supported by his Homewards initiative, a bold project launched in 2023 to eradicate homelessness across the UK by 2028. Joined by TV presenter Gail Porter, a staunch advocate for the program, William marked the handover of 31 fully furnished homes in Aberdeen, part of a broader effort to repurpose vacant properties and provide secure housing for those at risk of homelessness. His day also included launching groundbreaking partnerships, such as a collaboration with global recruitment firm Hays, aimed at securing jobs for vulnerable individuals across the six Homewards locations: Aberdeen, Newport, Lambeth, Belfast, Sheffield, and the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole area. Opting for a 30-minute walk through Aberdeen’s streets led by Angus Stirling, a former homeless man turned guide with Invisible Cities, William showcased a hands-on approach to transforming lives. In a nation where over 300,000 people faced homelessness in 2023, according to estimates, Homewards aims to make it “rare, brief, and non-recurring,” with Aberdeen leading the charge as a pioneering example.
William kicked off his visit at the Aberdeen Foyer, engaging in a discussion with young people about employment barriers, hearing stories from those who’ve been jobless for up to two years. The Hays partnership, unveiled during the event, promises to deliver 500 job opportunities and training sessions across the six pilot areas, starting in Aberdeen, addressing a key driver of homelessness prevention. Later, he strolled through the city with Stirling, whose journey from the streets to guiding tours with Invisible Cities—an organization training ex-homeless individuals—underscored the program’s focus on empowerment. The highlight came when William stepped into one of the 31 new homes, personally helping furnish it and meeting its first resident, a testament to his lifelong commitment to this cause, inspired by childhood visits to shelters with his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. With 55 organizations in Aberdeen’s coalition, Homewards is setting a scalable model for the UK.
This visit wasn’t just ceremonial—it signaled Homewards entering its delivery phase. The project has already partnered with major brands like IKEA, Dunelm, and DFS Group to outfit homes, while plans for social housing on the Duchy of Cornwall estate loom on the horizon. As the UK grapples with a homelessness crisis affecting nearly half a million people, including children, William’s initiative blends housing, jobs, and community support to rewrite the narrative, proving change is possible one city at a time.
Early strides of Homewards in Aberdeen
Aberdeen stands as one of six locations selected for Homewards, a five-year endeavor launched by the Prince of Wales in June 2023 through the Royal Foundation. With an initial £500,000 investment per site, the program collaborates with local coalitions—like Aberdeen’s, comprising the Aberdeen City Council, Shelter Scotland, and Langstane Housing Association—to tailor solutions to regional needs. In Aberdeen, priorities include addressing homelessness linked to family breakdowns and supporting at-risk youth.
The handover of 31 homes marks a tangible milestone. These previously vacant properties, revitalized through the Innovative Housing Project, now offer fully furnished living spaces thanks to donations from companies such as IKEA and local charity Somebody Cares. The aim is to provide not just shelter but a foundation for stability and growth.
Employment is another cornerstone, with the Hays partnership pledging 500 job placements and training opportunities across the six areas. This dual focus on housing and work reflects Homewards’ holistic strategy to break the cycle of homelessness, starting with practical results in Aberdeen.
A walk with meaning
Choosing to walk rather than drive through Aberdeen was a deliberate move by the Prince of Gales. Guided by Angus Stirling, who turned his experience of homelessness into a career with Invisible Cities, William highlighted initiatives that empower those once on the margins. Invisible Cities, already active across the UK, trains former homeless individuals over four weeks to become city guides or gain transferable skills, a model now expanding to all six Homewards locations with funding from the Homewards Fund.
The 30-minute walk, passing landmarks like the giant seagull mural, allowed William to hear Stirling’s story firsthand—how he went from sleeping rough to leading tours that educate visitors about hidden urban struggles. The first cohort of guides trained in Aberdeen graduated on the same day, a milestone celebrated during the prince’s visit, illustrating how opportunity can replace despair.
Inside the 31 new homes
The 31 homes delivered in Aberdeen stem from the Innovative Housing Project, a Homewards effort to test rapid housing solutions. Partnering with the Langstane Housing Association, the initiative targets single adults impacted by family breakdowns—a leading cause of homelessness in the region. These properties, once empty, now stand as fully equipped homes, thanks to corporate donations.
Furniture and essentials like beds, sofas, and appliances came from brands such as Bosch, DFS Group, and Dunelm. William’s hands-on role in furnishing one home, alongside Gail Porter, added a personal touch, while the first resident’s move-in symbolized a fresh start. Judith Sutherland, housing director at Langstane, noted that these homes foster community ties and well-being, reducing the likelihood of future homelessness.
Gail Porter and Steven Bartlett’s contributions
Gail Porter and Steven Bartlett, prominent Homewards advocates, joined William in Aberdeen, each bringing unique insights. Porter, a Scottish TV personality who once faced homelessness herself, shared an emotional moment with the prince as they met the first resident, her embrace reflecting the personal stakes of the cause. Her journey amplifies Homewards’ message of destigmatizing homelessness.
Steven Bartlett, a Dragons’ Den star and entrepreneur, focused on the employment angle, supporting the Hays partnership launch. He emphasized that jobs restore dignity, offering a scalable solution for other cities. Their involvement broadens the program’s reach, connecting it to diverse audiences and reinforcing its mission.
Jobs as a lifeline
The Hays partnership is a game-changer for Homewards. Committing to 500 job opportunities across the six locations, the recruitment giant kicked off its efforts in Aberdeen. At the Aberdeen Foyer, William played a lighthearted “job bingo” game, losing to Tev Warrander, the learning team leader, while engaging with young people about their struggles to find work.
Hearing from individuals jobless for years, the prince acknowledged the toll of repeated rejections. Hays plans to use data to pinpoint barriers—such as lack of skills or confidence—and tailor solutions, building on programs like Project Flourish, launched with EveryYouth in 2022 to empower 16- to 25-year-olds at risk of homelessness.
Diana’s lasting influence
William’s dedication to ending homelessness traces back to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. As a child, he joined her on visits to shelters, experiences that left a profound mark. In 2009, he slept on London’s streets with Centrepoint to grasp the realities of homelessness, and in 2022, he sold copies of Big Issue magazine to raise awareness.
These moments fuel Homewards, blending personal conviction with actionable change. The initiative honors Diana’s legacy by turning empathy into a structured plan, aiming to shift the UK’s approach to homelessness through proven, community-driven strategies.
Aberdeen’s pioneering role
Aberdeen leads the way in Homewards’ vision. While street homelessness is less visible here, hidden forms—like temporary housing or “sofa-surfing”—are prevalent. The local coalition, with 55 partners including the Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust, uses data to tackle root causes such as domestic violence and family disputes.
Drawing inspiration from global models, like the Salvation Army’s success in Finland, Aberdeen’s coalition conducted a May 2024 survey with over 800 residents to shape its strategies. This data-driven approach aims to prevent homelessness and shift public attitudes, setting a blueprint for the other five locations.
Key Homewards milestones in 2025
Homewards has hit significant strides in 2025:
- January: New partnerships announced with Homebase and Pret A Manger.
- March: Delivery of 31 homes in Aberdeen and launch of the Hays collaboration.
- March: First Invisible Cities cohort graduates in Aberdeen.
These steps signal the program’s shift from planning to action, delivering results two years into its five-year timeline.
Beyond housing: a broader impact
The 31 homes in Aberdeen offer more than shelter. Furnished by companies like IKEA and Bosch with everything from stoves to mattresses, they create a nurturing environment that supports long-term residency. The Langstane Housing Association oversees this effort, while the local Multibank provides essentials like toiletries.
Employment initiatives, through Hays and Invisible Cities, add another layer, giving residents financial independence. William’s involvement in decorating a home underscored this comprehensive approach, blending housing, work, and community support to prevent future homelessness.
Future horizons for Homewards
Homewards has big plans ahead. Beyond Aberdeen’s 31 homes, the program will build social housing on the Duchy of Cornwall estate, leveraging William’s resources as Duke. Invisible Cities will expand to the other five pilot cities by 2026, scaling up opportunities for ex-homeless individuals.
By 2028, the goal is a tested framework adoptable nationwide, inspired by Finland’s prevention-focused model. Aberdeen’s coalition will keep refining its tactics with data, prioritizing early intervention and public perception shifts to sustain progress.
Lessons from Aberdeen for the UK
Aberdeen’s success offers insights for the UK. Repurposing vacant homes with private sector support proves partnerships can fast-track housing solutions. Linking jobs to housing, as with Hays, shows financial stability is key. Invisible Cities demonstrates the value of empowering those with lived experience.
With over 300,000 homeless in the UK in 2023—nearly half children—Aberdeen’s tailored, collaborative model could inspire broader change. William’s vision hinges on local adaptation, proving that collective action can address a national crisis.
Fascinating facts about Homewards and William
A few highlights reveal the program’s scope and William’s dedication:
- William slept rough in 2009 to understand homelessness, shaping his mission.
- Homewards has rallied 539 organizations across six sites since 2023.
- Aberdeen delivered its first 31 homes in March 2025.
- Hays aims to create 500 jobs by the program’s end.
These tidbits underscore William’s hands-on commitment and Homewards’ growing impact.
