28 February 2025

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited Bournemouth and Poole College today to acknowledge the significant progress made since his initial visit in 2023 as part of the Homewards initiative, an ambitious five-year, community-driven programme introduced in June 2023 by the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. This important programme aims to demonstrate that together, it is possible to end homelessness making it rare, brief and unrepeated.

As part of today’s engagement, HRH met with members of the Sunseeker Skills Academy. Launched in February 2023, the Sunseeker Skills Academy aims to attract fresh talent into the boatbuilding industry to counter the UK’s ongoing national skills shortage. Developed in partnership with Bournemouth and Poole College, this key local initiative offers a fully funded, intensive boatbuilding course. Candidates will learn extensive trade skills in carpentry, plumbing, composite bonding, engineering, and electrical installations, with candidates receiving payment during their training.

Homewards BCP Coalition members Sunseeker International, Bournemouth and Poole College and Faithworks were brought together through Homewards in September 2023 and have since worked together to create a range of exciting new employment pathways which are accessible to people at risk of or experiencing homelessness locally.  During his visit, HRH met with the partners in the collaboration including Sian Dodds, Executive HR Director at luxury yacht builder Sunseeker International, to discuss the vital role businesses play in preventing and addressing homelessness

Sian Dodds, HR Director at Sunseeker International, commented, “We were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness to the Skills Academy today to discuss how Sunseeker is actively supporting the Homewards initiative. It’s a privilege for us to assist our candidates in developing essential skills that will empower them to build successful careers in the industry. By providing these valuable opportunities, we not only tackle the national skills shortage but can also play a crucial role in combating homelessness within our local community. Our collaboration with the Homewards programme, Faithworks and Bournemouth and Poole College ensure that these pathways are not only effective but also accessible to those who are eager to pursue them. We believe that by investing in people and providing them with the tools they need to succeed, we can make a meaningful impact on our local community and contribute to the broader goal of combating homelessness.”

Among those present at the Academy visit was Daniel. Daniel joined Sunseeker in August 2024 as a trainee boat builder. Introduced to Sunseeker through Faithworks, Daniel enrolled in the Bournemouth & Poole College Job-Ready Programme before joining Sunseeker as trainee boat builder. He commented:

“The course was great.  It served as a perfect transition from being at Faithworks to a more structured learning environment.  We were able to gain experience in five different types of trade as part of the curriculum and were therefore, able to see which one we preferred for a full-time career choice.  Some elements were difficult in the first weeks, but this gave us an opportunity to bond as a team and help each other along the way.  

“I found the Job-Ready Programme at the college to be a great precursor to future employment.  They helped me to improve my mindset, practise my timekeeping and develop relationships."

The Homewards initiative recognises the staggering statistic that over 300,000 people in the UK, nearly half of whom are children, are experiencing homelessness or are in temporary accommodation. By working in partnership with six local coalitions of committed organisations and businesses, including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Homewards aims to create effective plans to prevent and end homelessness, offering unprecedented support and resources to communities.

For further information on Homewards, please visit The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales – www.royalfoundation.com