On a crisp January morning in 2026, Prince William stepped into the heart of North London to visit Children in Need’s We Move FWD programme, a transformative initiative launched as part of BBC Children in Need’s bold 10-year commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for black children and young people across the United Kingdom.
The visit took place at a community centre in Tottenham, one of the programme’s key delivery sites. William arrived dressed in a sharp navy suit and greeted staff, young participants, and charity partners with his trademark warmth and easy rapport. The programme — officially titled We Move FWD (Forward with Determination) — is designed to tackle systemic barriers that disproportionately affect black children and young people, including limited access to education, employment, mental health support, creative outlets, and safe community spaces.
BBC Children in Need announced the decade-long pledge in 2025, committing tens of millions of pounds to fund organisations that deliver targeted, culturally sensitive support. We Move FWD works with local partners to offer mentorship, leadership training, creative workshops, sports programmes, career guidance, and mental health resources specifically shaped for black youth aged 8–25. The initiative recognises that young black people often face intersecting challenges — racism, economic disadvantage, under-representation in certain sectors — and aims to build confidence, skills, and networks that help them thrive.
During the visit, William met a group of teenagers participating in a leadership and public-speaking workshop. He listened intently as they spoke about their experiences, their ambitions, and the impact the programme has had on their confidence and sense of belonging. One young participant shared how the workshops helped him overcome anxiety around expressing his ideas in school; another described discovering a passion for filmmaking through the creative strand of the programme. William asked thoughtful questions, shared reflections on the importance of representation, and encouraged the group to keep pushing forward.
He also joined a short creative session where young people were working on digital storytelling projects. The Prince tried his hand at basic video editing and praised the quality of the work, noting how powerful it is when young people can tell their own stories on their own terms. “You’re not just creating content — you’re creating change,” he told the group, earning smiles and nods of agreement.
Later, William met with charity staff, community leaders, and representatives from partner organisations. They discussed the programme’s early outcomes — improved school attendance, higher engagement in extracurricular activities, stronger peer networks, and growing confidence among participants. Staff emphasised that the 10-year horizon allows for long-term tracking and meaningful evaluation, rather than short-term funding cycles that often limit impact.
The initiative is part of Children in Need’s broader strategy to address racial inequality in access to opportunity. Data consistently shows that black children and young people in the UK face higher rates of exclusion, lower rates of university progression in certain fields, and disproportionate mental health challenges. We Move FWD aims to be a counterweight — not through one-off events, but through sustained, community-rooted support that builds trust and delivers results over time.
William’s visit carried particular weight given his long-standing focus on youth mental health, early intervention, and creating pathways for young people who feel marginalised. As patron of several mental health organisations and co-founder of the Heads Together campaign, he has consistently highlighted how environment, opportunity, and belonging shape emotional wellbeing. His presence at a programme specifically designed for black youth sent a clear message of royal endorsement and personal commitment to tackling racial disparities in access to support and success.
The Prince spent time with programme coordinators who outlined how We Move FWD works with schools, youth clubs, sports teams, arts organisations, and employers to create joined-up pathways. One example highlighted was a partnership with a local creative agency that offers paid internships to young people who complete the programme’s media strand. Another initiative pairs participants with mentors from similar backgrounds who have succeeded in fields where black professionals remain under-represented.
William also met parents and carers who shared how the programme has helped their children feel seen, valued, and capable of dreaming bigger. One mother described how her son, previously withdrawn and anxious, now looks forward to attending sessions and talks openly about his future ambitions for the first time.
The visit concluded with a group photo in the community centre courtyard, the winter light soft and golden. William thanked everyone for allowing him to see the programme in action and reiterated his belief that “when young people are given the right support at the right time, they can achieve extraordinary things.”
For BBC Children in Need, having the Prince of Wales visit one of its flagship initiatives was a significant moment of validation. The charity has long worked to support children and young people facing disadvantage, but the 10-year We Move FWD commitment represents its most focused effort yet to address racial inequality head-on. The programme is already showing early signs of success — higher engagement, stronger self-esteem, and tangible progression for participants — and the royal endorsement is expected to raise awareness and encourage more community organisations to get involved.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has long championed the healing power of nature and movement for mental health, and William’s visit complements that work by highlighting how safe, supportive community spaces can foster resilience and belonging. Together, their advocacy underscores a shared belief that emotional wellbeing is shaped not just by clinical support, but by opportunity, representation, and connection.
As the All-American Road Show continues and the royal family balances public duties with personal advocacy, moments like the We Move FWD visit remind us that real change often begins in ordinary places — community centres, youth clubs, school halls — where young people are listened to, believed in, and given the tools to move forward.
From misty hills to meaningful conversations, from royal visits to everyday acts of encouragement, the message remains the same: healing and growth are possible when we create space for young people to be seen, heard, and supported. In North London on 27 January 2026, that message was lived out in full colour — one step, one story, one connection at a time.
