Prince William makes surprise solo trip to Scotland as Kensington palace issues statement

has visited a community centre in as announced a new collaboration with Street Soccer Scotland to foster health and wellbeing, reduce isolation, and strengthen social connections for thousands of local people through the power of sport.

The Prince of Wales visited Leith to learn more about how Street Soccer Scotland has been delivering free football-themed training and personal development programmes for socially disadvantaged adults and young people across .

As part of the new partnership, The Royal Foundation is providing funding for Street Soccer Scotland that will support efforts to revitalise Leith Community Centre. The Royal Foundation is also working closely with the charity as it brings together local partners to create football themed programmes like 'Leith United'.

This new coalition aims to set a framework for sustainable funding for community spaces and initiatives that other communities can utilise and learn from.

The grant given to Street Soccer Scotland will be used for many initiatives, including enhancing sports-based activities at the centre to support people experiencing poor mental health, addiction, homelessness, and isolation.

It also aims to enable vital outreach work in the community to better support individuals experiencing social challenges and revitalise the community centre to create a welcoming space.

During his visit, met with Street Soccer Scotland founder and CEO, David Duke, and he also met football coaches and players, , to hear how the new partnership will benefit socially disadvantaged adults and young people in the Leith area.

The Prince also watched the activities the Community Centre currently offers before joining a discussion with Edinburgh YMCA's Youth Forum, hosted by CEO Mike Kerracher, to hear young people from across Leith talk about their aspirations for the centre.

to transform the way people and organisations across the UK come together to build meaningful solutions to society's greatest challenges.

The programme seeks to mobilise unique coalitions to help communities foster greater social connection, support and develop local community spaces where people can come together to create opportunities and improve access to activities.

The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales supports a broad and ambitious spectrum of activities, bringing people, ideas and resources together to understand issues, explore creative solutions and be a catalyst for long-term impact.