Any parent or guardian looking for things to do with the kids over the summer holidays should look no further than a walking tour of Cardiff, led by those with lived experience of homelessness.
The Wallich, Wales’s leading charity working to end homelessness, has linked up with social enterprise, Invisible Cardiff, to train people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides.
Two tours are running throughout the summer holiday in Cardiff, offering a fresh perspective on the city.
The CITY OF IMAGINATION tour is led by Larysa, who was displaced by the Ukrainian war. The tour focuses on the iconic landmarks of Cardiff Bay, taking in the architecture as well as the sites decided to musician Ivor Movello, author Roald Dahl and adventurer Robert Falcon Scott.
Larysa told us….
“In the fall of 2023, I found myself in a challenging job search, yearning for a role that would let me apply my knowledge and truly enjoy my work. Everything changed when I met a representative from Invisible City at a job fair in Cardiff. Joining the programme that day was a turning point.
What makes my journey unique is the opportunity I had to craft a tour that reveals Cardiff not just through its well-known tourist attractions, but through the lens of my personal experiences and emotions.
Today, I have the privilege of sharing Cardiff’s story, and my own, with people from all over the world”.
The CITY OF LAYERS: MONOPOLY TO METROPOLIS tour is led by John and focuses on the city centre, encompassing the history of Cardiff including its medieval and industrial past.
John said…..
“I found the Invisible Cities Cardiff training course amazing and I’m now really enjoying sharing my guided tours with visitors from all over the world.
History has acted as a muse in mapping my walk, exploring Cardiff’s evolution as a city through the wealth of the South Wales coalfield.”
Jamie-Lee Cole, senior communications manager of the Wallich added…..
“We all know that, by this point in the summer holidays, it can be hard to keep coming up with affordable ways to keep the kids entertained.
These walking tours a great way to get out in the fresh air, get away from the screens, while learning more about Cardiff from those with a fresh perspective.
We believe that everyone has something to offer – no matter where they come from or where they live. Our guides draw on personal experience to connect the past with the present, showing how Cardiff has been shaped by its history to make it the magnificent city it is today.
What’s more, proceeds from the tour go into supporting the tour guides, who have been affected by homelessness.”
Tours run weekly throughout the city centre and Cardiff Bay. All tours are 90 minutes long, suitable for under-18s, accessible to wheelchair users and have received five-star ratings on TripAdvisor. Each tour costs £15 per person with tour revenue going towards providing support for the tour guides, who have all been affected by homelessness.
To book your tour go HERE
