Prince William has become patron of St Giles Trust in its 50th anniversary year.

The Prince will work closely with the charity, which helps to rehabilitate ex-offenders into society. It assists former prisoners with housing, training, employment and reintegration into the community after release.

Rob Owen, chief executive of St Giles Trust, remarked: “We are honoured and delighted that the Duke of Cambridge will be our patron for our important 50th anniversary year. By supporting us, he is leading by example in helping some of the most excluded, disadvantaged people in society who really need support.”

A two-time former Charity Award winner, St Giles Trust is piloting the UK's first social impact bond, which aims to reduce reoffending rates amongst 3,000 short-stay prisoners who served time in Peterborough prison. A third of employees working at St Giles Trust are former inmates.

This is the third occasion a member of the royal family has been involved with the charity. Both the Queen Mother and Prince Charles have opened centres for the charity, the latter opening the current headquarters at Camberwell which Prince William visited in 2009. Prince William is now patron of more than 20 charities and his involvement with St Giles Trust will run till the end of 2012.