Yes, I’m a public speaker, I speak in public, to the public on my tour. I’m used to speaking in public, although I don’t really know if I’m any good at it, because of previous experience. In adulthood this started when I was at the University of Sussex, and of course, public speaking to the […]
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Having been a tour guide with Unseen Tours for 8 years, I get asked a lot of questions by my tourists. Through the years I’ve been asked a lot of questions, but a while ago I was asked a question that did fluster me, because it was from so unexpected that I’d never even considered such a question. The question I was asked […]
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The word Tramp has changed its meaning over time, from an itinerant worker tramping around on foot in search of employment, to the current meaning of a ne’er-do-well or a homeless person. But how did this change occur, and how can we challenge the misconception of the current usage of such a divisive epithet? To […]
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All Hallows’ Eve? “What’s that?” I hear you ask. Well, you may know it better as Halloween. Halloween began its roots as the time in the year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the departed. There are many theories that try to explain the roots of this phenomenon, and here I’m […]
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Over the last few years of me writing these blogs I have mentioned a few other volunteer-led homelessness organisations, much like Unseen Tours, that have made astounding contributions to people experiencing some of the most difficult and challenging situations that life can throw at a person. This month I’m going to mention the efforts of […]
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You know there’s a serious problem when Amnesty International write a report about homelessness. On June 8th I attended a conference at the London office of Amnesty International to read and discuss their latest report into assistance for people suffering from homelessness and the right to living accommodation in England. The title of the report is […]
Read more Oh! The English language, the subtle nuance of common everyday words. No wonder that non-English speakers find it difficult to understand complex, yet simple statements. Take the title of this ode “Change Please?”. Most will assume that this statement is meant to convey the need for a change in some material or even political sense. […]
Read moreFor years and years, instead of saying Happy Birthday to people, I’ve always wished them a Happy Earthday! There are 2 reasons for this, firstly it rhymes with Happy Birthday, and secondly, it’s based on the traditional Rastafarian version, Blessed Earthstrong. It was not until about 10 years ago that I learned that there actually […]
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It’s funny what you come across on a rainy afternoon on Facebook watch. After the ever-present litany of food videos, dog videos, and suchlike, the following video came up on one of my favourite comedians feed, Russell Howard, about this guy who wanted to make his own Thank You cards for an occasion that had […]
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Hi Everyone, Pete here. I always mention StreetLink on my tour of Brick Lane and today, I share an urgent appeal from them. StreetLink exists to help end rough sleeping. StreetLink enables members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with the local services that can support them. I fully support the work that […]
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