Prince William admits late mum Diana would be disappointed by UK homelessness
Prince William has admitted his mum Princess Diana would be feeling really "disappointed" with the state of homelessness in the UK.
The Prince of Wales, 40, has said he feels “glad” his mother introduced him to the cause from a young age, as he reflected on his childhood while recording a podcast with two people with firsthand experience of the issue.
The royal said he thought his late mum would be “disappointed” more progress had not been made in tackling the problem during the intervening years.
The Royal features in a video appeal recorded for this year’s Red Nose Day in which he meets people receiving help from charities supported by Comic Relief.
“My mother introduced me to the cause of homelessness from quite a young age, and I’m really glad she did," he explained in the film.
“I think she would be disappointed that we are still no further on in terms of tackling homelessness and preventing it than when she was interested and involved in it.”
William is incredibly passionate about the cause, and as a result, is Patron of two charities that work to tackle homelessness, Centrepoint and The Passage.
The Royal is also determined to try and make sure cases of homelessness become very brief for those afflicted, and to ensure that those suffering are always able to find a way out.
The poignant film, which will air in full during the TV broadcast on Friday evening (March 17), saw William visit Groundswell, a homelessness organisation, where he met homeless people Nawshin and Miles.
They recorded a podcast as part of Groundswell’s Listen Up! Project, in which they shared “personal experiences, discussed harmful misconceptions and explored what more needs to be done”.
Sitting down opposite Nawshin and Miles for the podcast recording, the prince said: “I am here really to learn a bit more from you both, to hear a bit more about your lived experience of homelessness.”
Miles shared his experience of homelessness and said it “is about not having a safe space – it’s a very isolating life”.
“You exist, you don’t live. Groundswell helps to give a voice to people who have experienced homelessness," he went on.
“People who experience homelessness have solutions if you just ask them – they know what needs changing.”
“I didn’t have a choice but to leave home – I had a lot of childhood trauma and circumstances happened around me that were out of my control," Nawshin explained.
“Coming to Groundswell and being supported to share my story has really helped me. It is powerful for people to actually listen.”
Comic Relief has supported homelessness projects since 1988, and over the past two years its funding has helped to support more than 31,000 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Samir Patel, chief executive of Comic Relief, said: “We believe those who are closest to the issues have the best solutions and we’re proud to be supporting Groundswell’s important work to enable people facing such difficulties to not only be heard but be part of finding new ways to tackle homelessness.
“Our huge thanks go to Prince William, Nawshin and Miles for helping to raise awareness of this worsening issue and raise much-needed funds at such a crucial time.”
Red Nose Day night airs Friday 17 March from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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