A Royal Visit to our Newport Women’s Centre

On Wednesday, we had the honour of welcoming the Prince of Wales and representatives from Homewards UK, The Royal Foundation’s homelessness initiative, to our Newport Women’s Centre. The visit focused on the work of The Nelson Trust and other local organisations supporting people in Newport affected by homelessness.

Homewards was launched in 2023 by the Prince of Wales as part of The Royal Foundation, aiming to eliminate homelessness in the UK and provide enhanced support for those experiencing rough sleeping. Our Newport Women’s Centre is proud to be part of a coalition of local organisations collaborating with Homewards UK to tackle homelessness in Newport.

As an organisation, we remain committed to raising awareness of women’s homelessness and the ways in which their experiences differ from men’s. The leading cause for women experiencing homelessness is often a result of trauma in the home, including domestic abuse, sexual violence and sexual exploitation. The current homelessness data often misrepresents women, many of whom experience ‘hidden homelessness’. Women frequently resort to alternative, less visible forms of shelter, such as sleeping in unlocked buildings, hospitals, 24-hour restaurants, or even walking the streets all night to avoid the dangers associated with rough sleeping. This is particularly significant in the wake of rising violence against women and girls.

During his visit, the Prince of Wales was joined by Homewards UK Ambassador Dr Sab Cohen-Hatton, who draws upon her personal experience of homelessness in Newport to advocate for greater support for unhoused women and to help end homelessness in the UK. Together, we believe that amplifying lived experiences, giving voice to women, and addressing the systemic barriers they face are vital steps towards creating lasting change.