Prince William and Catherine visit Belfast homelessness employment scheme

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 14:07 · Archive

The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting Belfast to promote Neon, an employment programme for vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting Belfast to showcase Homewards, the Prince's five-year initiative aimed at making homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated. They began their engagements at The Commons, a former church on Belfast's Ormeau Road that has been repurposed as a community hub focused on creativity, connection and belonging.

The visit centres on the New Employment Opportunities Network, known as Neon, a pilot programme that connects vulnerable young people with sustainable work. The initiative pairs job placements with ongoing support and relationship-building to help participants overcome barriers and develop the confidence needed to maintain their roles long-term.

Neon operates as a place-based, business-led network drawing together employers, employability services, public bodies and community partners around a jobs-first philosophy. Since its launch in Northern Ireland in 2025, seven employers have taken on 21 young people through the network. During their visit, William and Catherine will meet employers, support organisations and young participants in the programme.

How it is being reported

• Prince William and Kate arrive for surprise trip to rainy Northern IrelandThe Prince and Princess of Wales have travelled to Belfast for an afternoon of engagements, learning about employment for those at risk of homelessnessThe Mirror · 9 Oct, 13:52
• Prince and Princess of Wales arrive in Belfast for special visitThe Prince and Princess of Wales are making a one-day visit to Northern IrelandThe Independent · 9 Oct, 13:46
• Catherine and Prince William visit repurposed church in South Belfast amid surprise visitThe Prince and Princess of Wales are in Belfast today, shining a spotlight on an innovative employment initiative designed to steer young people away from homelessness. Their visit centres on the New Employment Opportunities Network, known as Neon, a pilot programme run through Homewards that connects vulnerable young people with sustainable work. William and Catherine began their engagements at The Commons, a former church on Belfast's Ormeau Road that has been repurposed as a community hub focused on creativity, connection and belonging, where they met employers, support organisations and…GB News · 9 Oct, 13:10

In this story: Prince William · Catherine, Princess of Wales · Belfast · The Commons · Homewards · New Employment Opportunities Network

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