The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Rugby Portobello Trust

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The Duchess of Cambridge joined children and families to celebrate the work of the Rugby Portobello Trust at its community centre in North Kensington

Her Royal Highness learnt more about the centre's range of services for young people, families and the local community as she met those benefitting from the trust's support whilst handing out Christmas presents at a 'Magic Mums' group party. The Trust is part of a network of centres that help local communities, and provides support by running programmes for children and parents such as homework clubs, sporting activities, social groups and tuition.

The Duchess met young people taking part in a music workshop and heard how they are learning to express themselves through music and lyrics. Many of the young people at the centre have been through difficult times, and the centre staff in Kensington have been pivotal in supporting people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. The Trust established a New Homes Team to provide practical support to residents in relation to their new accommodation, and has played an important role in helping them access grants that became available, both through the local authority and from private donations.

At the end of her visit, Her Royal Highness helped staff and volunteers set up for a children's Christmas party later in the day and presented an award to mark the extraordinary work of the trust in recent months.