Princess of Wales praises Hope Street community in Southampton

Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales paid a visit to Hope Street on Tuesday.

A first for the UK, the community offers a safe alternative for women and is designed to allow children to remain with their mothers in a secure environment.

Catherine was given a tour of the impressive 28-flat building, which has been six years in the making.

She met with three employees of the community’s café which will be open to members of the public.

One of the employees told Catherine she ‘wouldn’t be here’ if it wasn’t for initiatives like Hope Street.

"I managed to rebuild my relationships with my kids, and sort myself and I wouldn’t have been able to do that without my opportunity here," she told the Princess.

Catherine described Hope Street as ‘such a great model.’

Speaking to users of the centre, she said: “This is such an inspirational place.”

She said: “You hear time and time again the isolation each individual feels, but actually, they are going to be part of the community here and engaging with members of the public, but also receive the therapeutic support everybody does need in order to heal.

“It’s having the time for somebody to understand where you come from and to give you the tools that you need.”

Lady Edwina Grosvenor described the opening of Hope Street as a celebration when addressing invited guests at the opening on Tuesday.

Lady Grosvenor, right, with the Princess of Wales in the Hope Street courtyard (Image: Stuart Martin)

She said: “We finally got to the day that I never thought would happen, but it has.

“I’m so grateful that so many of you have made the journey here.

“We have managed somehow to create something I think is rather wonderful and beautiful. This is just the beginning.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for every single second you have put into this project.

“It hasn’t been easy, it has been a journey, and it might continue to be one.”

The Princess of Wales, alongside Lady Grosvenor, tied a handwritten note each to the Messages of Hope Tree in the courtyard.

In her own words, Catherine wrote: “I see you and I am with you. Good luck in all that lies ahead.”

The Princess of Wales' handwritten note (Image: Stuart Martin)

Planning permission for Hope Street, run by charity One Small Thing, was given the green light in March 2020, Lady Grosvenor said. 

But plans were abruptly halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and many other hurdles were overcome.

Lady Grosvenor said: “Since planning was approved, we’ve seen Brexit, a global pandemic, war in Europe, and a cost-of-living crisis.

“I’m not overestimating when I say that that has affected virtually every single part of what we’ve done here and it has also made fundraising very challenging.

“It’s been unprecedented times.”