The Prince of Wales visited Bournemouth and Poole College today to see the progress made under the Homewards initiative, a five-year programme launched by the Royal Foundation in 2023 to help end homelessness.
During his visit, HRH met members of the Sunseeker Skills Academy, which trains new talent in boatbuilding to address the UK’s skills shortage.
The academy, developed with Bournemouth and Poole College, provides a fully funded course covering carpentry, plumbing, engineering, and more, with trainees earning while they learn.
Homewards partners, including Sunseeker International, Faithworks, and the college, have been working together since 2023 to create job opportunities for those at risk of homelessness.
HRH spoke with Sunseeker’s HR Director, Sian Dodds, about the vital role businesses play in tackling the issue.
Trainee Daniel, who joined Sunseeker after completing a job-readiness programme with Faithworks, shared how the scheme helped him build skills and confidence.
Homewards aims to combat homelessness by working with six local partnerships across the UK. More than 300,000 people, nearly half of them children, are currently homeless or in temporary accommodation.
For more on Homewards, visit royalfoundation.com.
Photos credit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace