BUSINESSES across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have thrown their support behind a workshop as a part of Prince William’s Homewards initiative.
Faithworks Arch Carpentry Workshop has seen an 'instant impact' since it began.
The Prince of Wales visited the workshop as a part of the launch of Homewards in June.
CEO of Faithworks, Alastair Doxat-Purser, said it had been ‘inspiring’ to see the response of the community and businesses to the visit.
He said: “We have been blown away by the way people are practically getting behind us as we work alongside individuals who have such a tough time but are now building skills and confidence to lead brighter futures.
“Prince William demonstrated not only a delight at taking time to listen to our trainees, but his visit put a spotlight on the power of collaboration: faith communities, businesses, charities, statutory services, and passionate individuals: all playing their part.
“For BCP to be chosen as one of the areas for the Prince’s Homewards programme not only provides the chance to bring best practice into the area, but also super-charges our joint belief that more and more individuals can find a fulfilled life away from homelessness.”
Arch Training development manager at Faithworks, Rob Cox, said since the initiative began, the charity has seen people offering ‘game-changing’ opportunities of training and employment.
He said: “We have been inundated with applications to become trainees, received mountains of gorgeous wood and requests for all manner of bulk orders ranging from serving platters to furniture. This is how real change can happen: people want to play their part: they can now see how.”
For instance, the workshop has been donated four years’ worth of sandpaper and wood offcuts from Southern Fire Doors, equating to three full van loads.
The business’s MD, Tom Ellingworth, said it was keen to support the community to make a difference.
The success of the initiative is on top of the commitments made by local businesses at Prince William’s most recent visit to Bournemouth, in September.
This includes AFC Bournemouth, Sunseeker International, Lush, Dorset Chamber, Bournemouth Town Centre BID, BCHA and Bournemouth and Poole College.
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