Actor Dominic West has been announced as Bath-based charity Julian House’s new ambassador.
Dominic West meeting some of the staff at the charity | Photo courtesy of Julian House
The announcement comes as the charity marked World Homelessness Day, noting a significant moment in the charity’s efforts to support individuals affected by homelessness and social exclusion.
Dominic West, best known for his roles in The Wire and The Crown, has previously supported Julian House by donating food from his local farm to its emergency shelter for rough sleepers in Bath.
West recently visited the emergency shelter on Manvers Street and one of Julian House’s refuges for survivors of domestic violence.
During the visits, he was able to get to know the clients to understand their experiences and stories and learn more about the support they receive at Julian House.
Dominic West with Julian House staff | Photo courtesy of Julian House
Commenting on his new role, he said: “I find homelessness a particularly emotive subject and I have worked for a homelessness charity in Dublin.
“I moved to Bath 5 years ago and its not the sort of place you would expect to see the problem of homelessness, so it is rather shocking seeing this extent of the issue in a prosperous place like Bath.
“I think the shock of that and seeing what great work Julian House does, made me want to do something to help if I can.”
World Homelessness Day comes at a time when homelessness and rough sleeping nationally and across the South West continues to rise sharply, with a 25% increase seen in Bath.
So far, in 2024, Julian House has delivered in-depth support to 141 people who were forced to sleep rough in the city and provided short-term accommodation to 106 people at the emergency shelter in Manvers Street.
Helen Bedser, CEO of Julian House, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Dominic West as our new ambassador. It was a pleasure to meet with him and discuss Julian House’s mission.
“It is fantastic that he has decided to build on his existing support for our homelessness shelter by becoming an ambassador for our wider work across Bath and the South West.
“We are all looking forward to working with him in the future.”
