As part of our Women at the Heart of Change campaign, we are celebrating the women whose compassion and leadership have shaped The Passage and influenced the wider homelessness sector.
Among them is HRH Diana, Princess of Wales, whose legacy continues to inspire awareness, understanding and action around homelessness.
A lasting influence
Princess Diana helped to change how homelessness was understood, bringing compassion and visibility to an often overlooked issue.
In 1993, she brought her son, Prince William, to visit The Passage for the first time – an experience that left a lasting impression and helped shape his lifelong commitment to supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Her belief in educating and inspiring young people to understand social challenges helped shape Prince William’s commitment to tackling homelessness, and he officially announced his Royal Patronage of The Passage in February 2019.
Years later, Prince William returned to The Passage with Prince George, continuing this legacy and helping raise awareness among future generations.
Inspiring action and change
Princess Diana’s influence continues through Prince William’s work as Royal Patron of The Passage, as Patron of Centrepoint and through Homewards – a five-year programme led by The Royal Foundation to demonstrate that homelessness can be prevented and ended
The Passage plays a key role in shaping Homewards, sharing frontline experience and insight to support long-term solutions.
Continuing the legacy
Princess Diana’s work reflects the role women have played across The Passage for more than 160 years – challenging stigma, shaping services and supporting people to rebuild their lives.
Today, women continue to drive change across our organisation, supporter community and the homelessness sector, while helping educate and inspire future generations to understand and respond to homelessness with compassion and action.
Through inclusive, evidence-based support, The Passage continues to help people experiencing homelessness rebuild stability, confidence and independence.