Prince William witnessed first-hand how a workshop in a church hall helps homeless people to develop new skills - even having a go on a lathe.
The Prince of Wales came to Faithworks Carpentry Workshop as it was revealed Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole was one of six flagship locations for a new initiative.
Homewards has been launched by the future king alongside The Royal Foundation with the aim of demonstrating that it is possible to end homelessness.
Prince William started his visit at the workshop on Monday, June 26, by chatting with leaders in the BCP Homelessness Partnership, which brings together 42 organisations.
During the conversation, members of the partnership, including the council, Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, YMCA Bournemouth, Shelter and Faithworks, discussed the wider message of what homelessness is and also how Homewards can help to bridge some of the challenges support services are facing.
The Royal visitor then moved into the St John’s Church Hall in Surrey Road, Poole, where he met with some of the team who run the carpentry workshop.
This included trainee development manager Rob Cox and carpentry workshop manager Leo Gwizdala, who explained how the programme works, the positive impact it has and showed off some of the woodwork the talented participants had created.
Mr Gwizdala, 69, said: “I am still trying to get to grips with how this has happened.
"The support we have got recently, even before the announcement of the Royal Visit, has grown and now with this visit it is going to be a massive help to us.
“The national awareness of the Homewards project and also the good publicity Prince William brings to the homelessness issue. This is a big deal for us.”
Prince William was also given the opportunity to experience the carpentry for himself.
Under the watchful eye Mike Ledger, the Prince of Wales tried his hand on the workshop’s lathe, commenting on the “therapeutic” nature of the craft.
The special guest was presented with gifts from the carpentry team, including a wooden kitchen board with Faithworks branding on.
Mr Ledger, 66, told the Daily Echo: “It was very nerve-racking, but I was quite pleased with how it went.
“What pleased me is he understood how it can be therapeutic in itself.”
Prince William concluded his visit, which was part of a national tour yesterday, by sitting down with trainees to learn about how they have benefited from the programme and the challenges that led to them experiencing homelessness.
The Prince of Wales also announced that Lambeth in London and Newport in Wales would play a leading role in Homewards alongside Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
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