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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Andrew Topping

Prince William in Mansfield: What is the Beacon Project?

Royalists across Mansfield have been in the presence of a future king after Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, paid a visit to the town.

But he wasn't doing a walkabout, rather focusing on one particular issue - homelessness.

William dropped in to The Beacon Project for a chat with service users and volunteers.

But what is The Beacon Project, and why did it grab the attention of Prince William?

The Duke of Cambridge Prince William chats to users at the Beacon Centre in Mansfield. (Dan Westwell/Nottingham Post)

The project is a charitable organisation based at St John's Street in Mansfield, next to St John's Church.

It gives support to people who are homeless in the area, providing a safe and clean place to visit, offering hot meals, clothes and toilet facilities.

It was first set up in 2001, when five homeless people went to St John's Church for tea and toast.

Since then, volunteers have worked to provide a permanent service for other homeless and vulnerable people.

Its website says: "We are a voluntary organisation and are entirely reliant on donations, grants and gifts of food.

"The Beacon Project began in 2001 in St. Johns Church, Mansfield, when five homeless people came into our church for tea and toast.

"We now have a dedicated building and serve and care for up to 50 people on a regular basis.

The Duke of Cambridge Prince William chats to users at the Beacon Centre in Mansfield. (Andy Topping/Nottingham Post)

"We are committed to caring for the spiritual, physical, mental, social and emotional well being of all people who come to the Beacon centre for help.

"We aim to provide a welcoming and safe place where people can get a hot meal, clean clothes and access to toilet and shower facilities.

"We have a nurse who runs a drop in session once a week and a representative from Framework who can offer support and help in finding accommodation."

Tackling homelessness has been one of the Duke of Cambridge's main charitable goals throughout the past few years, championing a number of organisations in this field.

In 2005, the Duke became a patron of Centrepoint, an organisation tackling youth homelessness, and he has also been outspoken about teaching his children, Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte, about rough sleeping.

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