Hi, we’re Invisible Cities, the award-winning social enterprise that trains people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides in their own cities – and we are embarking on our most ambitious expansion yet.
With invaluable backing from The Royal Foundation’s Homewards initiative and funding support from the UnTours Foundation’s Reset Tourism Fund, we will launch in six new locations: Bournemouth, Newport, Lambeth, Sheffield, Northern Ireland, and Poole as part of the initiative.
A Royal Launch in Aberdeen
The partnership officially began with the launch of Invisible Cities in Aberdeen on March 27, 2025. Prince William, Duke of Rothesay, joined the first walking tour in the city, guided by Angus – someone with lived experience of homelessness, and met with new trainees and partners. This marked a significant moment – not just for Aberdeen, but for the future of social tourism in the UK.
The event also welcomed Jonathan Coleman, Co-CEO of the UnTours Foundation, who joined the celebration in recognition of the Foundation’s support. “Small businesses like Invisible Cities show that tourism can be community-rooted, socially impactful, and intentional about creating solutions to local challenges,” said Jonathan.
The Power of Partnership: Homewards and Invisible Cities
Invisible Cities’ expansion is part of the broader vision of Homewards, a five-year program launched by The Royal Foundation in 2023. Spearheaded by Prince William, Homewards works with six flagship locations – including Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Newport, Northern Ireland, Lambeth, and Sheffield – to develop innovative, community-led solutions to homelessness.
By training people with lived experience to lead city tours, Invisible Cities aligns perfectly with the Homewards mission: empowering individuals, shifting public perception, and addressing homelessness through dignity, storytelling, and economic opportunity.
Fuelling the Movement: The UnTours Foundation
The UnTours Foundation, a pioneer in impact-driven investment, is a vital partner in this expansion. Through its Reset Tourism Fund – launched in 2023 with support from major travel brands like Expedia Group, Skyscanner, and the TUI Care Foundation – the Foundation offers flexible capital to small tourism enterprises that deliver deep social impact.
Invisible Cities is a standout example of this mission in action. Not only does it create meaningful employment for people who’ve experienced homelessness, but it also invites travellers from near and far to engage with cities through a lens of empathy, resilience, and local insight.
Jonathan Coleman summed it up best: “Invisible Cities is using tourism to create new economic opportunities and shift public perception. This is exactly why we launched the Reset Tourism Fund.”
Looking Ahead
Founded in Edinburgh in 2016, Invisible Cities has grown city by city – each new location led by a local coordinator and shaped by the voices of people who’ve experienced homelessness. With a goal to operate in ten cities by the end of 2026, this new chapter brings us well within reach of that milestone – because, there is even more news!
But we can’t tell you more just yet – stay tuned.
As Invisible Cities grows, it does so with the strength of founder Zakia Moulaoui Guery and that of true collaboration: from the strategic support of The Royal Foundation to the invaluable funding of the UnTours Foundation. Together, we are proving that homelessness can be addressed—and even ended—when we invest in people, empower communities, and reimagine the role tourism can play in social change.
If you want to follow our journey to doing tourism differently, you can support us in lots of ways:
Support Invisible Cities by:
✅ Joining a tour –we have tours running in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, York, Cardiff and Manchester
✅ Sponsoring a community tour – Gift a tour to someone who wouldn’t otherwise afford it on our website
✅ Partnering with us – Businesses and community groups can collaborate on training, events, funding and more to make an impact. Get in touch to find out more.
For more information or to book a tour see our tours page.
This blog is all about how social enterprises can grow with the support of the right strategic partners. For more information about organisations for social good, creating positive community impact and doing tourism differently, we’d love to hear from you.
