The Duke of Cambridge has today become Royal Patron of The Passage, which is the UK’s largest resource centre for homeless and insecurely housed people.
Established in 1980, The Passage has since helped over 130,000 people in crisis through its resource centre, homelessness prevention projects and two innovative accommodation services.
The Duke first visited The Passage as a child in 1993 with his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, and has made additional visits at various points over the last twenty-five years. Speaking at The Passage in 2016, The Duke said:
“The visits I made as a child to this place left a deep and lasting impression upon me – about how important it is to ensure that everyone in our society, especially the poorest, are treated with respect, dignity and kindness, and are given the opportunities to fulfil their potential in life.”
The Duke is a longstanding supporter of organisations working to combat homelessness, and has also been Patron of Centrepoint, who work to help homeless young people, since 2005.
Mick Clarke, Chief Executive of The Passage said:
“During His Royal Highness’ visits to The Passage, it has been very clear that he has a deep concern for those affected by homelessness and a real interest in our work. For His Royal Highness to further express his support for The Passage’s work by becoming our Royal Patron is a tremendous honour, and a testament to how much he genuinely cares about this issue.”
