The Prince of Wales has said he feels “glad” his mother introduced him to the cause of homelessness from a young age while recording a podcast with two people with firsthand experience of the issue.
The royal said he thought Diana, Princess of Wales would be “disappointed” more progress had not been made in tackling the problem during the intervening years.
He 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.
For the film, which will air in full during the TV broadcast on Friday evening, he visited Groundswell, a homelessness organisation, where he met 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”.
William also spoke about where his passion for the issue comes from.
In the full film, he says: “My mother introduced me to the cause of homelessness from quite a young age, and I’m really glad she did.
“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.”
Sitting down opposite Nawshin and Miles for the podcast recording, he tells them: “I am here really to learn a bit more from you both, to hear a bit more about your lived experience of homelessness.”
Miles tells him that homelessness “is about not having a safe space – it’s a very isolating life”.
People who experience homelessness have solutions if you just ask them – they know what needs changing— Miles
He adds: “You exist, you don’t live. Groundswell helps to give a voice to people who have experienced homelessness.
“People who experience homelessness have solutions if you just ask them – they know what needs changing.”
Nawshin adds: “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.
“Coming to Groundswell and being supported to share my story has really helped me. It is powerful for people to actually listen.”
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— Samir Patel, Comic Relief chief executive
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 of TV airs on Friday March 17 from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
