Going Underground

Amsterdam Underground offers (former) homeless people and users a meaningful daytime activity that links with their knowledge, qualities and skills. Our guides are usually a long way from the labour market. During the walk, they use their past to inform people about life as a homeless person and about the consequences of substance abuse. Amsterdam Underground offers people from the target group the opportunity to use their knowledge and skills in a positive way, which enables the further development of their qualities and talents.

The Amsterdam Underground city walks guides are all experienced experts on the subjects of addiction and homelessness. They often have had to survive in difficult conditions in which they developed knowledge and skills that they now use in a positive way during the city walks. Through transferring this knowledge to our customers and the dialogue resulting from it, they give insight into the lives of people for whom things turned out just a bit differently. This provides a better understanding of (former) addicts within society and fights the stigma that they sometimes experience daily. This project contributes to the self-confidence, self-esteem and increased self-reliance of the guides. The ultimate goal is to have the project completely carried out by people from the target group.

The Regenboog Groep is committed to helping the homeless and people with psychosocial problems and/or addiction problems. The organisation provides care, assistance and meaningful daily activities. We prevent social isolation with the help of buddies. Visitors and participants get an active role in the organisation. The Regenboog Groep’s goal is for the Amsterdam Underground city walks to be a business run by people from the target group.