The Prince of Wales today visited Spiral Skills in the Lambeth in London, one of the key areas for his Homewards initiative.
Kensington Palace confirmed that this visit forms part of a wider series of Homewards engagements across the UK this autumn. The initiative, launched by the Prince in 2023, seeks to make homelessness ‘rare, brief and unrepeated’ by supporting local projects and investing in long-term solutions.
Spiral Skills which helps young people who are at risk of becoming homeless, has received funds from the Homewards Fund to expand it’s services for young people in the local area. It is hoped this will help break the cycle of unemployment and exclusion that young people now face.
The organisation was founded in 2015 and works with young people, providing them with holistic support employability skills and giving access to employment and services for young people aged 14-25. The team use lived experience and consistency to provide support, training, employment and opportunities for the local young people.
Coming together to support young people and tackle homelessness in Lambeth. Great to see what can happen when multiple like-minded organisations come together under one roof.
Such a pleasure to be with @HomewardsUK at Spiral Skills HQ today where they are doing incredible work… pic.twitter.com/oyEM8Q8rq2
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 9, 2025
During his visit, William learned how the youth organisation has been able to move to a new hub which includes a well-being room and more staff. The new hub is located at Oasis Village in Tulse Hill. Prince William was joined at the engagement today by former Lioness Fara Williams who is an advocate of Homewards. Fara experienced homelessness during her football career and now campaigns for early interventions and more support for young people who may be at risk of homelessness.
The Homewards Fund also enabled the organisation to expand their ‘changemaker’ programme. They are young people who experienced homelessness and are now trained youth workers who deliver frontline outreach in schools and local areas.
William spoke with two Changemakers and heard about how they deliver street level outreach to young people at risk of educational exclusion or facing challenges.
Abdoul, one of the Changemakers at Spiral Skills, said ‘Working together creates the best outcome for young people. As Changemakers, we are essentially bridging the gap between young people and those who can help them further. I see it as my responsibility to connect the dots. Working with Spiral and Homewards, it’s like being part of a village, a collective effort of support.’
The Prince of Wales also attended a workshop with Young Creators UK, who receive referrals from Spiral Skills, on film production. Young Creators UK is an impact led creative agency owned by underrepresented young people.
Joel Balkwill, CEO of Spiral, spoke about how much getting the funding means to the organisation stating they ‘were thrilled to receive the support of the Homewards Fund, which has been vital to enabling us to launch our support and skills development space. Our track record delivering frontline services is well documented, but finding funders brave enough to support new ideas was nearly impossible. Together with Homewards Lambeth, we are transforming access to opportunity for our most underserved young people’.
NEW : Prince William with a former homeless woman who is now one of the first residents to move into one of 31 newly furnished homes that have been delivered by Homewards Aberdeen’s Innovative Housing Project 🏠🏘️@HomewardsUK pic.twitter.com/k6ibbRZO1j
— Princesslookbook (@royal_diaries) September 9, 2025
After visiting Spiral Skills, William privately viewed a property in the area that he is turning into 16 independent living homes in a re-development project with his patronage Centrepoint. These houses will be affordable housing for young people who have experienced homelessness.
While here, The Prince met key partners involved in the delivery of the IHP, saws the refurbishment plans and took a tour of the property.
