The Duke of Cambridge speech at Centrepoint's Gala 2016
Published
Whether fleeing war overseas, battling mental illness, enduring the dangers of sleeping on the streets, the young people of Centrepoint have come through experiences that could have broken the resolve of any one of us.
Good evening, ladies and gentleman,
Last time I was on this stage I performed a duet with Bon Jovi and Taylor Swift – Craig [David] and Ellie [Goulding] will be spared that horror tonight. And I'm delighted that Jonathan Ross has decided to rap later!
It’s a pleasure to be here tonight, among so many old and new friends at Centrepoint. This evening is a celebration of everything that young people are capable of when they are given the support that they need.
All of those nominated for this year’s Centrepoint Awards, now an annual event, deserve to be commended. They are Centrepoint’s legacy, the proof of the positive impact this extraordinary organisation has made for nearly 50 years now and I know will go on making.
My thanks go out to tonight’s organising committee and its remarkable Chair, Debra Reuben, for staging an event worthy of the many individual achievements made and raising awareness of this hugely important cause – the ending of youth homelessness.
I’m grateful too for the tireless work of Seyi and his team across the country: the support workers, the counsellors, the learning specialists. They are integral to all of the success stories you are about to hear.
Whether fleeing war overseas, battling mental illness, enduring the dangers of sleeping on the streets, the young people of Centrepoint have come through experiences that could have broken the resolve of any one of us.
About this time a few years ago, for one night, I gave up the warmth and comfort of my bed, and tried sleeping on the streets of London. Of course, this was just one night: I was cold but safe, and I knew I had a home waiting for me.
This Christmas as many as 25,000 young people will be at risk of homelessness. And remember this, behind that appalling statistic is a human being not much older than many of our children and grandchildren, who is alone, frightened and confronted with impossible choices.
Each year in the UK 150,000 young people turn to their local council for help. The scale of youth homelessness in this country is now shameful – it must not be ignored. As a society we have a clear duty to redouble our efforts, to do more to help.
I am really pleased, therefore, that Centrepoint will be launching the Centrepoint Helpline early next year, part of its Turnaround programme to end youth homelessness. The Helpline is an ambitious but much needed service to give information to young people who find themselves on the cusp of homelessness.
If we are serious about ending youth homelessness, the most effective solution is to prevent people becoming homeless in the first place. That means, giving young people practical guidance and support, putting them in touch with services, pointing them to organisations who can get them through the trouble they find themselves in. All this sounds obvious, but there is nothing out there right now that exists for young people in this predicament – so the Helpline will make a big difference.
The Helpline will be launched later this month with the support of various partners, and in particular I pay thanks on behalf of Centrepoint to Evgeny Lebedev for backing Centrepoint's vision. And more of this to come later this month.
Many of you here tonight are supporting Centrepoint individually or through your companies. To all of you, thank you – very much.
And I leave you all with one thought. No-one who Centrepoint helps has chosen the label 'homeless'. First and foremost, these young people are ordinary people – like our sons and daughters and friends; nothing different about them. The same hopes, the same anxieties, sense of adventure, and wanting to find their way in life – but life has dealt them a cruel hand: family breakdown, addiction, the wrong crowd, bullying, poor mental health.
So, my real thanks tonight goes to Centrepoint for consistently seeing beyond the label 'homeless' and seeing each young man and woman for who he or she is. That in itself is life-changing, and we need more of that in our society.
Thank you, Centrepoint – and I hope everyone has a good evening.
Related content
The Queen's speech at the opening of the sixth session of the Senedd in Cardiff
There are many challenges ahead as you work together to promote the well-being of the people of Wales, and support the recovery effort.
The Queen's message to the Institution of Engineering and Technology to mark their 150th anniversary
This anniversary provides an opportunity to thank and recognise the dedication and hard work of all those working in engineering and technology who, every day, make a...
The Queen's address at the Opening Ceremony of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament
I have spoken before of my deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country, and of the many happy memories Prince Philip and I always held of our time here.
The Queen's message to mark Canada's first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
I join with all Canadians on this first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Announcement of the birth of Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi's baby
20 September 2021The Queen's message to Emma Raducanu following her US Open win
It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication.
The Queen's message to mark the 20th anniversary of the 11th September attacks
We pay tribute to the resilience and determination of the communities who joined together to rebuild.
The Queen's message to British and Commonwealth athletes following the 2020 Paralympic Games
Your performances have lifted the nation and your triumphs been celebrated by us all.
A message of condolence from Her Majesty The Queen to the Prime Minister of Haiti
I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by the earthquake in Haiti. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their lives, loved ones...
The Princess Royal congratulates Team GB athletes and staff on their Olympic success
Everyone involved in Team GB has played a significant role in a magnificent performance
The Queen's message to TeamGB and Commonwealth athletes following the 2020 Olympic Games
The skill, determination and hard work shown by the athletes and their support teams throughout the unique and challenging circumstances of the last year has been an...
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant
The Duke of Kent reflects on his Presidency of the All England Lawn Tennis Club in an article for The Telegraph
The Queen awards the George Cross to the UK's National Health Services
Holyrood Week 2021
Financial reports 2020-21
The Royal Household today published its annual financial statement, the Sovereign Grant Report, for the financial year 2020-21.
Platinum Jubilee Emblem Competition launched
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend 2022
The Queen's Jubilees and other milestones
A history of Jubilees
A speech delivered by Prince William as Lord High Commissioner during the Opening Ceremony of the CofS
A speech delivered by Prince William in his role as Lord High Commissioner during the Opening Ceremony of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
The Queen's Green Canopy
Message to the people of Northern Ireland
Across generations, the people of Northern Ireland are choosing to build an inclusive, prosperous, and hopeful society, strengthened by the gains of the peace process.
A message from The Earl of Wessex on the legacy of his father, The Duke of Edinburgh.
I, like all my family, have a lifetime of lasting impressions.
A speech by The Duke of Edinburgh on ‘Inter-face / User and Machine' at the RSA Conference, 6 November 2002
I think it is pretty well known that I have always been a great supporter of science and engineering and I have considerable respect for the technologies, which they have...
A message from The Duke of Cambridge following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh
My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family.
A statement from The Princess Royal following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh
It is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate.
A message from Her Majesty The Queen to mark Greece's Bicentenary Independence Day celebrations
On the significant occasion of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek War of Independence, I would like to convey to Your Excellency my congratulations, together...