Unseen Tours Launches New Walking Tour: Lambeth – Westminster with Anne, Marking World Homeless Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

London, UK – 10 October 2024 – To mark World Homeless Day, Unseen Tours is proud to announce the launch of a new walking tour from Lambeth to Westminster, co-curated and led by our newest tour guide Anne. This new tour is the latest in Unseen Tours’ mission to provide fresh perspectives on iconic London landmarks while raising awareness of homelessness.

Anne’s tour offers a unique take on one of the city’s most famous districts, blending historical facts with personal stories that shed light on the realities of homelessness in London. Starting with a sing-a-long that brings to life the Lambeth Walk, from the 1937 musical Me and My Girl, Anne shares stories not found in any guidebook. From the grandeur of the palace of Westminster to the stories of women like Mary Seacole that the world almost forgot, the tour highlights not just the visible landmarks, but also the often-unseen struggles and resilience of those facing homelessness.

Unseen Tours, an award-winning social enterprise, has been offering alternative walking tours of London since 2010. Each tour is guided by individuals who have experienced homelessness, providing them with income, stability, and a platform to share their stories. The launch of the Westminster tour continues the organisation’s commitment to tackling social stigmas and promoting inclusive tourism.

Anne, the guide leading the Westminster tour, said:
“I’m looking forward to taking people on this journey from Lambeth to Westminster, showing the familiar sights from a different perspective, and drawing attention to social issues as well, to show that tourism and social issues are interconnected.”

The tour has been co-created using the methodology developed by Sama Sama International, who specialise in supporting marginalised communities design and lead their own walking tours of their own communities. The Sama Sama approach creates opportunities for attitudinal change through community-led storytelling, tour curating and guide training.

Jayni Gudka,  Founder of Sama Sama International and CEO at Unseen Tours, said:

“Co-creating this Westminster Unseen Tour with Anne has been an incredibly meaningful experience. This tour is not just about seeing the iconic sights of Westminster from a new perspective, but about hearing untold stories that challenge our perceptions of homelessness. It’s vital that people with lived experience of homelessness, like Anne, play a role in shaping the tourism industry. Their insights bring a depth and authenticity that traditional tourism often overlooks, and this empowers both the guides and the participants to engage with the city in a transformative way.”

As part of World Homeless Day, Unseen Tours hopes this new walking tour will not only entertain and educate but also encourage Londoners and visitors alike to rethink their perceptions of homelessness. 

For bookings and more information about Unseen Tours’ new Westminster Tour or other walking tours, visit UnseenTours Website.

Customer feedback:

“Anne led us on a tour that bought the history of the area alive, including shining a light on some of history’s most interesting political figures. She really engaged us with the political and social landscape of homelessness in Westminster, which is so unique against the backdrop of London’s political epicentre. On an Unseen Tour, you get the opportunity to engage with someone with lived experience of homelessness and understand the problems facing people trying to live within such a broken system. The tour is perfect for the socially conscious and politically curious traveller looking to see London through a different lens.”
Maudie Tomlinson, The Conscious Travel Foundation

“People so often overlook the power and impact of “dignity”., not the Sama Sama International approach which champions who people are and what they have overcome with such integrity and honest humaneness. Vulnerable people are empowered to be themselves, tell their story and share really fascinating and interesting facts about London passed over by most tours. It’s a masterclass in creating value in people, with people for people. Seriously the best few hours I have spent in London lately!”
Quinn Meyer, Crees Manu

“The newly launched Westminster Unseen Tours with guide Anne was an eye opener. As a born and bred Londoner I thought I was familiar with this City but seeing it through Anne’s eyes, where she had researched and planned what to show us was a revelation. I didn’t feel like I was on a generic tour. Landmarks I am familiar with took on a different light. This is authentic London and Anne shared a little about herself which made me feel more connected through a different perspective of history, people and buildings. I highly recommend Unseen Tours, applaud the work they are doing and look forward to more tours in future.”
Dee Gibson, Kalukanda House

About Unseen Tours
Unseen Tours is a social enterprise offering guided walking tours of London led by homeless or formerly homeless individuals. Since 2010, the organization has provided employment and skills development for people facing homelessness, while challenging common misconceptions and stereotypes through powerful, personal storytelling.

Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://unseentours.org.uk
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