I offer a variety of services from creating and delivering tailor-made wanderings, and providing training on making your own tours, to organising community events, carrying out research, offering consultation and producing content including stories, oral histories, photography, short films, and books.
Commissions
Looking for a unique and engaging way to connect people to spaces and stories? I’ve designed and delivered bespoke creative walking projects for a wide range of organisations including the Creative Society, South Downs National Park, Thames 21, Impact on Urban Health and Kings College London.
From creating a unique memory tour inspired by the stories and oral histories of Irish and Pakistani elders in North London, to hosting a show-and-tell session for young artists to share creative work inspired by a series of wanderings. See my projects page for more.
Research
An experienced researcher, I’ve interviewed members of various communities over the years, with the aims of collecting and sharing memories and stories. These have been used these to create heritage books, audio tours, photo journals and oral histories.
I’m also a Churchill Fellow. In 2024, I completed a book inspired by a two month research trip to the US. The Renegade Guides handbook – a new resource, created with and for guides, explores how inclusive, community-rooted tours can uncover overlooked stories and help us connect more deeply with the places we live.
Stock my Books
My books On Belonging, and Renegade Guides: the places we go and the stories we share, are available to buy and stock in your bookshop, library, heritage centre, or even hotel! Celebrating people and places, these unique books would make for an interesting addition to your collection.
In 2021, Locke Hotels (pictured above) bought copies to stock in all of their apartments for guests to read. You can buy copies of On Belonging HERE and Renegade Guides HERE.
Wanderings
Living London wanderings bring the city’s hidden gems and community spaces to life through storytelling and anecdotes of people and place. Each walk lasts about 2.5 hours including stop-offs at various locations.
I have a wealth of experience in researching, creating and delivering bespoke wanderings across London (Sussex and Essex) for different clients including community groups, arts and heritage organisations, corporate teams and universities. Wanderings are a great way to bring people together, and to enable them to form deeper connections to place.
Community Events
Interested in hosting a public talk, book launch or a film-screening? I organise, promote and deliver a range of community events, from storytelling wanderers socials, exhibitions and talks, public consultations, to various celebrations.
I’ve partnered with hotels including citizenM, Ace Hotel, Town Hotel and Locke Hotels to design and deliver unique events from photography competitions, a series of public talks to bespoke workshops. I’ve collaborated with various groups and individuals to ensure the success of each event.
Creating Writing Classes
I’ve taught creative writing and deliverered “walkshops” in the past with a focus on place writing. Participants are invited to explore, encounter, and develop new writing inspired by the places we visit and the stories that we uncover.
The workshops enable participants to develop their writing skills, explore different themes and ideas through a series of prompts and to share their writing and have it workshopped by peers.
Workshops
Learn how to create and deliver a unique wandering tour based on a chosen theme and in an area or space you and your group are connected to!
Whether you’re a Business Improvement District that would like to encourage collaboration between local businesses, an environmental group seeking to share clean air walking routes, or a university programme convener wanting to create links between students and local communities, my workshops can help you curate an experience that will connect people to places, stories and to each other.
Writing and Photography
I produce high-quality content for charities, and arts and heritage organisations. I have over fifteen years experience in photographing community events and leading communications on a diverse range projects. I specialise in exploring the relationship between people and place through photography and writing.
I’ve written for various clients including the University of Arts London, Campaign for National Parks, Huck and Ace Reader. At Slow Ways, I wrote about places and interviewed people across the UK as part of my role as Community Stories Lead.
Consultancy
Are you looking for a unique events space, a remote location or a beautiful wedding venue? I can help you find the places, projects and people you’re searching for in London.
Want to design and deliver a community project? I have over ten years experience in working on both regional and national arts and social projects. I can offer you advice as well share best practise in co-producing projects with different groups.
“We were delighted to work with Saira on our local heritage project. She was able to research and plan a tour that supported our aims and engaged people from across the community. She has a great rapport with diverse audiences and we had nothing but positive feedback for her work. Thanks again, Saira!”
— Sorcha Ni Foghluda, Ashford Place
