Everyone is doing their part to help out lately — including royals.
During a group call with volunteers during Volunteers’ Week in the UK, Prince William revealed something surprising: he’s been secretly volunteering for a crisis helpline.
This is in addition to the many philanthropic efforts he’s been doing during this difficult time. What a sweet thing to do!
Prince William has always been vocal about mental health.
In 2018, he launched the website Mental Health at Work , which provides important resources for those who need support when facing challenges at work.
It also emphasizes the importance of ensuring good mental health in the workplace.
Then, this past January, he narrated a 60-second clip, encouraging soccer fans to consider their mental health.
The ‘Take a Minute’ video was part of the Heads Up campaign, which partnered with the FA Cup to deliver the important message.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said:
“We know that men in particular can be reluctant to talk about the subject, so it is important that we use football as a vehicle to stress the importance of mental fitness.”
He took on a bigger role for the campaign this past May to continue spreading awareness.
He was part of the documentary, Football, Prince William And Our Mental Health , which showed the Duke talking to former footballer Marvin Sordell.
Together, they discussed how “feelings from a traumatic event can resurface when becoming a parent.”
For Prince William, a lot of this had to do with losing his mother, Princess Diana, at such a young age.
“It’s one of the most amazing moments of life,” he said in the clip about having kids. “But it’s also one of the scariest.”
That’s not all.
Last week, the royal family took part in Volunteers’ Week .
This is an initiative in the United Kingdom, aimed at motivating people to volunteer their time during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Over the past several weeks, Prince William has used social media as a way to encourage people to volunteer.
On May 20, he spoke to CEO Michaela and Community Chef Charlie of the Peek Project food truck.
Since the coronavirus lockdown began, the project has been delivering healthy food and hygiene and wellbeing packs to families in need during the pandemic.
Prince William was joined by his wife, Kate Middleton, during a call to staff at Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff.
Together, the royal couple thanked the staff — plus all care workers across the UK — for their “their tireless efforts as they continue to look after the most vulnerable in our society.”
Recently, the Duke even revealed that he’s been secretly volunteering for a crisis helpline.
As it turns out, this is Shout 85258 , the United Kingdom’s “first 24/7 crisis text line.”
Is there anything this guy doesn’t do??
This was actually launched by Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Prince William in 2019.
Prince William appeared in a few of the videos, promoting the mental health text line.
“As texting is private and silent, it opens up a whole new way to find help,” he said.
“It provides instant support. You can have a conversation anywhere, at anytime: at school, at home, on the bus, anywhere.
He continued:
“I am incredibly excited to be launching this service, knowing it has the potential to reach thousands of vulnerable people every day.”
The Duke shared the surprising news of his involvement during a group call with Kate.
The couple had been thanking volunteers for their amazing service helping their communities.
“I’m going to share a little secret with you guys,” he said.
“I’m actually on the platform volunteering.”
The other volunteers on the group call were so pleased to hear this.
This means that he’s one of the 2,000 Crisis Volunteers who are trained to “support anyone, anytime, whatever their crisis may be.”
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At the end of Volunteer’s Week, the royal couple revealed that their kids have also been helping out.
They may not be old — or trained — enough to participate in the crisis helpline, but the kids “packed up and delivered food parcels to isolated pensioners in the local area” back in April.
You can watch Prince Williams reveal his secret below!
What do you think of Prince William secretly volunteering for a crisis helpline?
Have you done any volunteering since the coronavirus pandemic began?
Let us know in the comments!
