We’ve had to keep it secret for too long – we are beyond proud to announce that Invisible Cities is launching in Aberdeen – our seventh social enterprise walking tour across the UK. And this time, we might just have very special plans for our launch in the new city.
Mark your calendars for April, with tours available to book with our incredible newly recruited guides.
And none of this would be possible without the support of a number of incredible partners which we’ll tell you more about soon. We’re working locally with Aberdeen City Council, and the brilliant support of ABZ Works and Homewards who have funded the training and expansion into another Scottish city.
Not familiar with Invisible Cities yet? We run walking tours with a social purpose and raise homelessness awareness across the UK – all with the aim of creating a positive and lasting community impact, and stories that people will take home and share.
Our city walking tours are all guided by people who have experienced homelessness. So these tours don’t just showcase Aberdeen’s history – they highlight untold stories, hidden landmarks, and the resilience of the people who call this city home.
Why Aberdeen?
While Aberdeen is often recognised for its oil and gas industry, it’s also a city in transition, facing some of the biggest increases in homelessness in Scotland. Between 2022 and 2023, homelessness applications rose by 72%, with more young people than ever presenting as homeless. These statistics highlight a growing need for support, opportunities, and new ways to bring communities together.
Our mission is to create meaningful training and knowledge around skills like confidence building, story telling and public speaking, allowing people to seek out employment that they love and thrive in. That includes becoming an Invisible Cities walking tour guide.
Invisible Cities exists to prove that it is possible to end homelessness through training, employment, and meaningful experiences. By launching in Aberdeen, we are not just offering visitors a unique way to experience the city – we are investing in the people who live here.
Community impact at its finest
ABZ Works is Aberdeen City Council’s employability and skills service, dedicated to assisting residents in accessing education, training, and employment opportunities. Their mission is to support individuals in gaining qualifications, enhancing skills, and progressing in their careers.
Homewards is a five-year program bringing together local businesses, charities, and government organisations to drive collaborative, long-term solutions. By launching Invisible Cities in Aberdeen, we are not only offering a new perspective on the city’s history—we are proving that with the right support, training, and opportunities, people who have experienced homelessness can reclaim their futures and share their stories with the world. We’ve shown how impactful this is in 6 other cities and we’re so pleased to be able to continue that work.
How You Can Help
Bringing Invisible Cities to Aberdeen is a huge community effort, and we’d love your support in making it a success:
✅ Spread the word – Share our story, follow us on social media, and tell your friends about Invisible Cities.
✅ Join us on a tour – Experience Aberdeen like never before with one of our extraordinary guides. We also have community-led city tours in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Scottish Borders, Cardiff, York and Manchester.
✅ Support financially – Help us to continue supporting and training guides by making a donation or buying a community tour.
✅ Partner with us – We’re looking for local businesses, community groups, and individuals who want to collaborate. Just get in touch to discuss this!
This is just the beginning of an incredible adventure in Aberdeen. From the launch to the first tour, we’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes training footage, local stories, and exciting updates as we count down to our first official tour.
Want to be part of something amazing? Keep an eye on our socials, sign up for updates, and get ready to see Aberdeen like never before.
👉 Follow us and stay tuned for more.
