Invisible Cities is excited to announce a significant partnership with the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel.
The social enterprise trains people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city and offer these alternative tours to tourists and locals.
Mercure Manchester Piccadilly has agreed to provide complimentary accommodation for Invisible Cities team members during their visits.
This support helps reduce overhead costs, allowing the enterprise to spend more time in the city with guides and stakeholders and further its mission to give back to the local community and challenge stereotypes about homelessness.
Over the past 18 months, the hotel has undergone a complete transformation, including a £3 million renovation to modernise 280 bedrooms, the reception area, and the creation of new event spaces, most notably the Garden View Room.
Andrew Krawec, general manager, said: “With our new vision underway, we are committed to giving back to our local community. We are incredibly proud to partner with Invisible Cities in Manchester and support the important work they do in empowering individuals who have experienced homelessness to open up meaningful employment opportunities – a cause that resonates deeply with our values as a hotel and community partner.
“This collaboration aligns perfectly with our efforts to tackle homelessness and promote inclusivity. We look forward to working closely with Invisible Cities and supporting their mission.”
Founder of Invisible Cities, Zakia Moulaoui Guery said: “This help will mean that we can train and support more guides, and more people looking for positive and meaningful employment opportunities and a way out of homelessness – it’s huge for us and we are incredible grateful.
“The support of Mercure Manchester Piccadilly means that we can allocated more of our funds back into the community by removing the cost of visiting Manchester to meet guides and partners as well as aligning with our shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and compassionate community, flying the flag for all of the incredible Mancunian people we have the privilege of working with.”
