The Prince of Wales has today announced two new projects related to Homewards that will lift the veil on the work he’s doing to improve the lives fo the homeless population in the United Kingdom.
The first project, an ITV documentary series entitled ‘Prince William: We Can End Homelessness’ was filmed to coincide with Homewards’ first year, trailing the royal across the UK as he launched the initiative and speaking to people who have experienced homelessness and advocates who are working with William.
The two-episode documentary series was directed by Leo Burley, a BAFTA-winning director, who said in a release: “Over the past year we have spent time following Prince William and The Royal Foundation through the first year of the Homewards programme.
“We’ve heard some incredibly moving stories from people across the country facing homelessness. From street homelessness in Newport, to families living in temporary accommodation in Sheffield, and youth homelessness in Aberdeen, the documentary paints a picture of homelessness across the UK today, working with many people who never expected to experience life without a place to call home. Everyone we’ve filmed with has welcomed the spotlight that Prince William and Homewards are placing on the UK’s homelessness crisis.”
Amanda Barry, the chief executive of the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, said: “We know that television has the power to change hearts and minds. Homelessness can seem like it is hard to prevent but by sharing the realities of people’s experiences and those who are coming together to support them, we can inspire action. This two-part documentary will help raise vital awareness and demonstrate that, by working together, it is possible to end homelessness.”
The two-part series will air later this fall on ITV1 and ITVX.
William’s second project is an art exhibition in partnership with Saatchi Gallery and Eleven Eleven Foundation called ‘Homelessness: Reframed.’ The exhibition will feature art inspired by the brushes with homelessness that the various artists contributing have experienced in their lives.
‘Homelessness: Reframed’ will be guided by Lorna Tucker and David Tovey and will feature art by Dave Martin, David Tovey, Marc Davenant, Opake, Rankin, Robi Waters, Sam D’Cruze, Simone Brewster, and six other artists who are located in the Homewards locations: Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, the London Borough of Lambeth, Newport, Northern Ireland and Sheffield.
Paul Foster, the Saatchi Gallery director, said in a statement: “Art has the ability to open our eyes to issues. Works by artists with lived experience, and by workshop participants with no art background, remind us that creativity is not dependent on any status in society and that art offers a means for us to understand the challenges facing so many fellow citizens. We’d encourage visitors to approach this exhibition with an open mind and to question any assumptions they might have about those experiencing ‘homelessness.”
The exhibition will run from 7 August to 20 September.
