Tag: walking tours

Invisible Cities launches new nationwide project

Tours focus on distinct neighbourhoods within iconic cityscapes 

Invisible Cities, the alternative tour guide company that introduces locals and visitors to some of our greatest urban heartlands, is launching a new nationwide project. 

The social enterprise, which has generally focused on city centres, is now delving deeper into local neighbourhoods and encouraging everyone to discover what is on the doorstep there – from Glasgow’s once-notorious Gorbals slum area to Manchester’s Fallowfield and the inspirational women of Edinburgh’s Leith. 

Zakia Moulaoui Guery, CEO and Founder of Invisible Cities says, “Every year we take thousands of tourists and locals on our tours but, If there is one thing lockdowns have brought us all, it is a new appreciation for our local areas.

“Until now we have tended to focus on city centres or easily-accessible areas but we have realised that our local areas, neighbourhoods and some lesser-known places are also well worth exploring. 

“As a result, we’ve created Invisible Neighbourhoods and curated a series of fascinating new tours detailing some really interesting facts and locations that will appeal to anyone visiting or living in these vibrant areas.” 

Invisible Cities trains people who have previously experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city.  Invisible Neighbourhoods, a series of tours, events and products, has been designed by these well-informed guides with support from local communities in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester – with more neighbourhoods in the pipeline. 

In Edinburgh children can discover the stories behind the powerful women of Leith, a port with a dynamic community and rich maritime history. 

Through a complete Trail Pack, including a Leith tote bag, activity pack, stickers and colouring pencils, youngsters can learn who these inspirational women were and the extraordinary things they achieved – all while exploring this legendary waterfront.  

In Manchester, consultations with the local community in Fallowfield, traditionally a student area with a diverse population, have helped to shape a brand-new local tour. Shorter in length than usual and free of charge for schools and local organisations, this tour aims to give people an insight into their own neighbourhood. It has been supported by The Manchester Wellbeing Fund and Barratt Homes. 

In Glasgow the focus is on the Gorbals and Lauriston. With support from Urban Union, a walking tour will kick off soon with the possibility of self-guided trails also on the horizon for families to discover this lesser-known part of Glasgow.  

Regular Invisible Cities tours are also available in York and Cardiff. 

For more information on Invisible Neighbourhoods visit http://invisible-cities.org/invisible-neighbourhoods 

Invisible Cities Tours re-open following lockdown

Social enterprise supporting people who have experienced homelessness, have implemented new measures to ensure everyone is safe and having fun

Tours are the perfect activity for families looking for something new and exciting to do in their home city, as well as those travelling from further afield on UK staycation

Invisible Cities have recently announced that their family friendly guided walking tours are back open and available to book, following the recent lock down, which forced all of their guides into isolation for a number of months.

The social enterprise that trains people who have previously experienced homelessness, to become walking tour guides of their own city, offers a number of themed family friendly tours across the UK in cities including Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow and York.

Zakia Moulaoui Guery, Founder & CEO of Invisible Cities CIC said: “We have worked really hard to put new measures in place to ensure everyone is safe and having fun!

“Our tours are the perfect activity for local families looking for something new and exciting to do in their home city, as well as those travelling from further afield on UK based staycations and international visitors.”

Safety for all guides and guests remains a key priority for Invisible Cities with the tours now welcoming smaller groups of up to 10 people, with safe distancing applying for people who are not from the same household. Guides will also be wearing plastic visors and using a voice amplifier.

Customers will be offered the opportunity to purchase a disposable mask at check out, when booking their tours and guides will hand these out at the start of each tour as well as disposing of them at the end of the walk. They will also be able to leave a cashless tip for their guide directly, via a QR code on the tour.

Paul, one of the Edinburgh tour guides for Invisible Cities comments: “Going for a walk outside is one of the safest and healthiest things you can do, I have really missed doing Tours in the last few months.

“I’m super excited to be welcoming our guests back to Edinburgh and Leith and with the safety measures that we have put in place, I feel confident that you will be safe as well as myself. Please support us by coming on one of our tours, and even if you are local, I can assure you that you will learn something new about our beautiful City.”

According to Shelter, an estimated 320,000 people are homeless in the UK. This equates to one in every 201 people living in the UK and was an increase of four per cent on the previous year’s number.

Shelter says its figures, which include rough sleepers and people in temporary accommodation, are likely to be an underestimate of the problem as they do not capture people who experience “hidden” homelessness, such as sofa-surfers, and others living insecurely in sheds or cars, for example.

Zakia Moulaoui Guery continues, “These numbers are far too high, and we must work as a nation to lower them. Invisible Cities raises awareness about homelessness and through our tours, we aim at change perceptions and break down the stigma that exists around it. 

“We want to take all of our tour guests on a journey through the lives of those who find themselves homeless, finding their motivation to be the best version of themselves.”

Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that doesn’t believe in labels or stereotypes. They want to show that everyone has great potential. They train people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city and offer these alternative tours to tourists and locals.

Training focuses on confidence building, public speaking and customer service. They partner with professional tour guides to build bespoke tours and practice their routes.

For more information visit https://invisible-cities.org/

Granton walking tour this Sunday

The Madelvic History Group is pleased to announce the launch of the escorted Curious Edinburgh walk, with participants leaving from Madelvic House and accompanied by local historians, sharing their fascinating local insights.
The forthcoming dates are Sunday 14th of April and Sunday 12th May.
Participation is free of charge. Meet at Madelvic House, for 12.00, start at 12.30 with the tour lasting approximately 2 hours, depending on weather and total number of participants.
Highlights of the tour will be Granton Harbour and Granton Castle Walled Garden. Alternative plans will be in place in case of adverse weather conditions.
If you are interested in taking part then please e-mail
w.black@blueyonder.co.uk
Address: Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh EH5 1HS