PEOPLE who have experience of homelessness will lead a new walking tour in the city’s South Side.

Developer Urban Union has partnered with Invisible Cities - a social enterprise that trains people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides.

The regeneration specialist has provided funding to train the group and develop the tour ahead of its proposed launch in early 2021. The tour will celebrate the rich history of the Laurieston and Gorbals areas.

Up to eight people are to be given the opportunity to undertake training with Invisible Cities to help with confidence building, public speaking and customer service skills ahead of the new tour launching.

Urban Union is also donating £1,500 to support homeless charities instead of its annual staff Christmas party.

Turning Point Scotland and Crisis will each receive a cash boost to help address homelessness through a number of their projects in December and beyond.

Neil McKay, Managing Director of Urban Union, said: “Invisible Cities not only raises awareness of homelessness, its work also helps to change perceptions and break down the stigma that exists around it. Through their tours they help to bring the history of the cities in which they operate to life, with their guides providing insights you won’t find in guidebooks.

“Our new partnership aims to celebrate the Gorbals and Laurieston area which is home to our first development, Laurieston Living. We hope, when it is safe to do so, that the local community, other Glaswegians and visitors to our city will enjoy taking part in these tours.

“Our focus at Urban Union is to not only to build new homes, but to create strong relationships and support the communities in which our developments are based. We are pleased to be able to work with organisations like Invisible Cities as well as support Crisis and Turning Point, who carry out brilliant work supporting the displaced and vulnerable across Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“We hope our donations will allow them to continue to provide crucial and important services through what are difficult times for many over Christmas.”

Zakia Moulaoui, Founder of Invisible Cities, added: “Our partnership with Urban Union has allowed us to provide up to eight new training places and, once the initial part has been completed, participants will either undertake further training to become an official guide on the new tour or will receive support to pursue the career paths they have chosen. So not only will this partnership help to shine a light on this particular area of Glasgow, it will provide training and employment opportunities for people living locally.”