Unseen Tours: exploring London with the homeless
A big, blondish guy walks towards us at the entrance of the Old Street underground station, carrying an "Unseen Tours" sign, and I can't help thinking: "Wow, he doesn't look like a homeless!". Stupid, I know.
But that's exactly why The Sock Mob Homeless Volunteer Network designed these tours: to erase the stigma attached to the word "homeless".
"I was homeless, but not a drug addict, an alcoholic, or a thief. Nonetheless, that's what people thought", says Henri.
Henri, a college graduate originally from Latvia, is now living in a hostel but used to live in a tent in the middle of a big roundabout in Shoreditch.
Then, a few years ago, a volunteer organization that goes around the city spending some time and distributing socks to people in need, had a unique idea: why not design some sustainable tours through the city led by the homeless, who undoubtedly know the area better than anyone else?
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And so Henri became a guide for the Unseen Tours (and I promise he DOES know the area!), together with Mike, Viv, and John who lead other tours in Camden, Covent Garden, and London Bridge.
The tour was a 2 hour-long walk around Shoreditch, a hip neighborhood in East London that was crime-ridden and quite dangerous in the past, but now it's vivacious and home to many young artists and creative minds.
I wasn't expecting one of those "this is Buckingham Palace and this is Big Ben" kind of tours, of which I'm not exactly a fan, and in fact, we walked around back alleys, discovering street art and hidden places, while Henri filled us with curious information and anecdotes on the neighborhood.
Like hey, did you know that Hitchcock filmed most of his movies around Shoreditch?
He showed us Wesley Chapel, where Margaret Thatcher was married, and then the location of an old secret MI5 prison; later we walked through the Bunhill Fields Burial Ground, where William Blake's grave is located.
But the thing I enjoyed the most though, was listening to Henri openly talk about his life as a homeless, about discrimination and the gap between the rich and the poor.
With 50,000 people living in the streets, it's compelling to do something about it; taking a tour with them is a way for you to help, and you won't regret it, guaranteed.
Join them for a mind-blowing tour that will inspire you and give you a unique view of London.
"Anyone can become homeless", says Henri at one point, "Anyone".
And I'm standing there, thinking.
The Unseen Tours is an award-winning social enterprise organizing unique London walking tours in the neighborhoods of Camden, Covent Garden, Shoreditch, and the London Bridge.
On the weekend tours are walk-in while in the week you need to book through their website. Tours are about two hours long and cost £18 for adults. Add this tour to your itinerary!
Have you participated in a walking tour by "Unseen Tours"? Is there anything like that in your hometown? I'd love to hear from you!
Non conoscevo questi tour... la prossima volta che sono a Londra sicuramente ne proverò uno! Che bella iniziativa!! Londra é sempre avanti 😉
Grazie per la segnalazione...
Ciao Elisa, prego! Questa é sicuramente una bella iniziativa...viaggiare e intanto aiutare qualcuno in difficoltà é fantastico!
I have never heard of "Unseen Tours" before and it definitely sounds like a worthy cause. I think I would try it.
Wow. all of that street art reminds me of Melbourne
Ive never heard about this tour and what a wonderful initiative it is. We have so many preconceptions and generalizations about people and this is a great way to break those stigma we have about homeless people, I wish we have more tours like this in other countries. Thanks for sharing Steph.
That's a cool concept and sounds like a legitimate way to support the homeless. I'd give it a go.
What a unique tour. I love that you got to see cool sites and support a good cause at the same time.
Bravo for sharing this story! Not only it sounds like an amazing tour, it also connects to the human side of the city. I definitely want to check this out when I'm in London.
Unseen Tours?! How Cool is that?! Being a small town Canadian, I always seem to be wowed by the quality and quantity of the street art that can be found with a little bit of digging... Great shots!
I think I have come across the tours before but havent actually had the pleasure of joining one. Shoreditch is one of my favourite spots in the whole of London so I might actually go for the tour.
I never heard about this kind of tour before but sounds more interesting than the usual touristy spots/ routes. ..and its for a good cause too
Sounds definitely more interesting than the regular tours..And yeah, I agree with Revati, the graffiti reminded me of Melbourne too
What an interesting way to get a different perspective on an area and help someone at the same time.
What a profound and interesting post! I enjoyed reading this very much, I had never heard of such a tour!
This is an amazing idea! I had heard of it but never from someone who had actually taken the tour. I'd love to take one of those tours.
This tour service is not only a great idea, but also allows you to see some more off the beaten path areas of London
Wow, what a unique tour. It puts a lot of stuff you don't always think about into perspective.
Wow! What an interesting idea for a tour. I hadn't thought about it before but you're right, the homeless would give the best tours as they know all the areas. I would love to see this expanded to different cities around the world!
I've never heard of this organization and this tour is the one I'd love to take part to, I must remember it for next time I'm in London 🙂
What a great and unique concept. I wil be in London in the New Year and so I will look this up - aim to take one of their tours.
thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading! 🙂