Published on Thursday 19 March 2026
Photo Credit: The Royal Foundation
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visited Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole today to see first‑hand the work underway to prevent youth homelessness across the area, from pioneering early‑intervention programmes to the innovative BCP Youth Homelessness Board.
During the visit, His Royal Highness met young people, partners and practitioners involved in local prevention initiatives, including those leading the launch of the new Post‑14 college programme designed to support students at risk of disengaging from education.
The programme, jointly funded by the Homewards Fund, BCP Council and Bournemouth and Poole College, supports young people at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) by offering earlier, personalised help to keep them engaged with learning, build confidence and take positive next steps.
Developed with secondary schools across BCP, it introduces an inclusive, skills focused curriculum for 21st century learners, blending practical hands-on learning with strong pastoral support.
This programme is vital because being NEET is one of the strongest predictors of youth homelessness. 65% of young people arriving at Centrepoint, the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, are out of education, work or training. Giving young people stability and skills early helps break that cycle.
Cllr Kieron Wilson, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services, said:
“Today’s visit highlights the commitment across BCP to preventing homelessness before it happens. By listening to young people and working closely with our partners, we’re able to build stronger pathways, provide earlier support and create better opportunities.
“As a council, we’ve seen what’s possible when services come together. Long-term rough sleeping is falling, we’re getting families out of B&B accommodation, more people are getting the right support, and earlier intervention is preventing hundreds of households from reaching crisis.
“The work showcased today, to an international delegation of experts we have hosted, reflects the impact of true collaboration and the difference it makes when everyone pulls in the same direction.”
Homewards, part of The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, aims to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated.
The Homewards Fund is a key part of Homewards’ offer to their six flagship locations, including BCP, to support the delivery of the Local Action Plan. The Fund is managed and administered by national homelessness membership body Homeless Link, in partnership with The Royal Foundation and the six Homewards locations.
This pilot builds on existing collaboration between BCP Council and Bournemouth and Poole College across careers education, employer partnerships, vocational programmes, apprenticeships and SEND pathways, creating a joined-up offer that combines early support with proven, experience led learning.
The programme will be coordinated by Clare Hicks from Bournemouth and Poole College, who brings extensive experience from various roles in education and further education. Her local knowledge, strong relationships and hands on approach make her well placed to guide the new Post 14 offer.
Cllr Richard Burton, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:
“I’m proud that we’re bringing this new programme to young people across BCP. It’s fantastic to see BCP Council, the College and Homewards working together to make a real difference.”
Lisa Linscott, Director of Education and Skills at BCP Council said:
“This grant helps us create ambitious, inclusive and student-centred opportunities so young people feel seen, supported and empowered. With clear Post 14 options into Post 16, we can turn this vision into a model that changes lives.”
Phil Sayles, Principal at Bournemouth and Poole College said:
“We are delighted to deliver a programme that offers young people genuine opportunities to learn, grow and prepare for their next steps. This programme helps students build the confidence they need to progress into further training and employment.”
Rick Henderson, CEO of Homeless Link and Chair of the Homewards Fund Grants Panel, said:
“We are thrilled that the Homewards Fund has been able to support this project in BCP, and is exactly the sort of work the Fund aims to champion. We look forward to hearing more about the positive impact on young people locally and are delighted to be able to support local partners coming together to prevent youth homelessness in BCP.”
Homewards
Homewards is a five-year programme created by Prince William and The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales that aims to make homelessness rare, brief, and unrepeated. It will support Homewards’ six flagship locations (Aberdeen; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; Lambeth; Newport; Northern Ireland; Sheffield) alongside organisations from a range of sectors who are contributing skills, resources and investment to support the locations to deliver solutions.
Homewards Fund
The Homewards Fund offers up to £500,000 of flexible funding that can be accessed by each flagship location across the lifespan of the programme to support the delivery of their Local Action Plan. The funding forms a key part of the offer to the six flagship locations and will enable the delivery of the Homewards Local Action Plans, whether that’s helping to build additional capacity or provide resources to support the delivery of projects which will unlock and test transformative solutions to the issue of homelessness.