Prince William marked the latest stage of an ambitious project to transform community spaces across the UK by visiting Leith in Scotland to announce a new partnership with a local football scheme
The Prince and Princess of Wales are rolling out an ambitious project to transform community spaces across the UK, using a mixture of grants and donating personal time from their Royal Foundation. William and Kate have identified several locations around the country which will benefit from financial backing and the creation of new task forces which will benefit from expert advice and guidance from their team.
The aim is to create a network of businesses to invest in local projects to upgrade local facilities from community hubs to sports centres, which will be announced in the coming months. William today celebrated the latest stage of the programme in Leith, announcing a new partnership with a local football scheme described as a “blueprint for the future”.
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Street Soccer Scotland – founded by former professional footballer David Duke – delivers free football-themed training and personal development programmes for socially disadvantaged adults and young people across Scotland. The coalition aims to use the power of football to support people experiencing issues such as poor mental health, addiction, homelessness and isolation, fostering a sense of belonging for the most vulnerable in the Leith community.
Mr Duke turned his life around after becoming homeless 20 years ago for three years, following issues with depression after the death of his father in 2001. He is now the CEO of the soccer programme and an ambassador of William’s homelessness charity, which in 2023 launched an ambitious project to end the causes of homelessness in the UK.
The Royal Foundation has provided funding to help support the organisation to revitalise the existing community centre and create a new vision for “sustainable social impact”. Upon arrival at Leith Community Centre, a ward in Edinburgh, William heard how the organisation has delivered free football-themed training and personal development programmes for socially disadvantaged adults and young people across Scotland since 2009.
The organisation has to date helped more than 25,000 people going through their own struggles, such as addiction, homelessness, mental health and poverty. William couldn’t resist joining in football drills, where he was treated to flamenco dancing and heard how young people have been enacting change in their local area.
The prince needed no encouragement to give a penalty shoot-out a go, though he was disappointed when the goalie saved his first shot. But William managed to kick the ball into the net on his second attempt, prompting loud cheers. He turned to the team behind him and said, “That’s it, I’m done now,” as he held up his hands to concede.
The prince also stopped to chat with some of the Street Soccer football coaches and players, some of whom have experienced homelessness, and heard how the new partnership will benefit socially disadvantaged adults and young people in the Leith area.
The Royal Foundation will announce a range of partnerships across England, Scotland, and Wales in the coming months, which will form the umbrella of its new social enterprise.
Kensington Palace said the couple will use their “convening superpower ” to bring communities together, building on their experience from projects such as William’s environmental Earthshot Prize Awards and homelessness project, Homewards, and Kate’s work in the early years development of children.
Leith Community Centre will continue to be a vital part of the community, run by local volunteers and staff, offering a home to a variety of diverse activities, including language, dance and art classes, history groups, martial arts, and a variety of youth clubs and family crafts.
On a visit to the Isle of Mull, in the Inner Hebrides, last month, William and Kate met families at Aros Hall, a much-loved community space in Tobermory, which is one of two places on Mull to receive a grant from The Royal Foundation Community Impact Programme. As a result of the grant, Aros Hall is being re-designed, upgrading facilities to provide new opportunities for residents of all ages to come together and take part in activities that support their health and wellbeing.
A royal source said: “Today in Leith, we saw the Prince doubling down on his promise to deliver impact to communities up and down the country. This is his ambition to leave a lasting legacy in the communities he visits.
“The Prince and Princess are committed to delivering a modern and fresh approach. The Prince has talked about royal with a small r, it think we’re seeing that now, more than ever.”
The crusade for William is one of the pillars of his public duty, having seen firsthand the benefits of access to grassroots football during his presidency and patronage of the Football Association. Mr Duke said: “We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the Royal Foundation, which has already opened so many doors for us.
“On this project, Prince William has been super passionate, engaging and really wants to use his position as a force for good to help the local community.
“Having worked with him on not only Street Soccer but also his homelessness project I’ve seen first hand that his voice travels far. He brings bags loads of enthusiasm to the table and it really is infectious. The project in Leith really is going to be a blueprint for the future, not just in Scotland but across the UK.
“It was great to have William here today. The area has been through some major changes throughout the last few decades and certainly needs a bit of love in places. But the locals are good people and have a real sense of community spirit. The prince’s visit shows everyone that people do care.”
The centre’s revitalisation will involve partners from local businesses, the Leith Community Centre, and YMCA Edinburgh to create ‘Leith United’.
In a statement, Kensington Palace said: “The Prince and Princess of Wales want to support the people in places with the potential to revive communities where it’s needed most, celebrating and championing the most inspiring, boldest and bravest individuals across our four nations who are determined to build a better life for themselves, each other, their communities and society, and who by doing so, inspire others to take action in their local area too.
“Community spaces play an increasingly vital role in supporting opportunities for local wellbeing and resilience. ‘Leith United’ aims to set a framework for sustainable funding that other communities can utilise and learn from, with hopes to exist as a blueprint for innovative practices in partnerships and community asset management which can be replicated in other communities across the UK.”
David added: “Working with The Royal Foundation provides a unique opportunity to champion and further vital work supporting the community in Leith. Community spaces are needed now more than ever and can be a lifeline for people of all ages. ‘Leith United’ will offer a space where local people can belong, build friendships, access services and feel part of the area where they live.
“It is really special to be back in Leith where the Street Soccer Scotland journey began, helping people to find support through the power of football.”