Invisible cities: Powerful Women of Manchester with Laura
Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor
Invisible cities are an exceptional organisation. They curate unique and engaging tours in five cities across the UK, all of which are led by tour guides who have experienced homelessness. Now that we can gather outside with fewer restrictions, we can look forward to the return of Laura Ashcroft’s Powerful Women of Manchester tour. Taking inspiration from the notable womxn who’ve made permanent changes on the city’s politics, art and culture. Laura will show you the history of Manchester through the prism of these exceptional individuals.
it isn’t about how certain people see homelessness it’s how we all see it
Laura is a transgender woman, who’s tour guiding benefits from her exuberant character and joyful disposition, making for an exciting and unique tour experience. As you walk through the heart of the city you’ll hear personal and historical anecdotes from Laura and the women who’ve been an inspiration and influence on her journey of transition. It’s clear from her infectious passion and enthusiasm for sharing these women’s stories, that they are close to her heart.
The tour also aims to challenge perceptions. As someone who’s lived through homelessness Laura believes that it isn’t about how certain people see homelessness, it’s how we all see it. As you reach each landmark, you’ll be asked thought provoking questions that might help you to understand your own views on it, why they are there and how they may be biased or unreflective of the real situations homelessness can cause.
Invisible Cities tours let you into a person’s unique perspective on a place with more heart and honesty that any other walking tour. Laura’s Powerful Women of Manchester tour takes place most Saturdays and Sundays between 2 and 4 pm, however, booking is compulsory and you can find exact dates on the website. The tours are operating within the social distancing advice from the government, so are therefore subject to change.
