Social Bite began life as a small coffee shop in Edinburgh, in August 2012. They’re now a busy charity and social business providing homes, jobs, food, and support to empower people to transform their own lives. Social Bite’s vision is a society where no one should have to be homeless, and they challenge the status quo by pioneering solutions that create lasting change; their ongoing aim is for 1 in 4 of their team to have come from a background of homelessness. In the cafes, there’s a pay-it-forward system to allow customers to buy drinks and meals for people experiencing homelessness, and 180,000 items of food and hot drinks are provided every year through their network of coffee shops. In 2018, they also launched The Social Bite Village: taking on vacant, council-owned land in Edinburgh and building a small village made up of 11 two-bedroom prefabricated houses and a large community hub. Today this village is home to a vibrant community of people helping each other get back on their feet. With a brand new cafe in Glasgow’s city centre, and plans on the horizon for Villages in Glasgow and Dundee, we spoke to Social Bite to find out more.


What other projects are Social Bite currently working on?

At Social Bite we’re ambitious and no one day is the same! From opening Glasgow’s newest Social Bite coffee shop to hosting a conference in London about our Jobs First programme in the same week, actually just one day apart! So it probably comes as no surprise that the ambition continues into 2023 as we set our sights on building two new Social Bite Villages. The plan is to build one here in Glasgow and one in Dundee and we’re currently in the early phases of securing land and building a community of support to bring it to fruition – more on this to come.

We also focus our core programmes around 3 key areas: Jobs, Homes and Food. Our free food distribution continues from our coffee shops and to a wide network of partners across Scotland and the UK. Alongside this we are continuously scaling up our Jobs First programme – a programme that works with some of the UKs biggest employers to create meaningful jobs for people experiencing homelessness, with full wrap-around support.

 

In what ways can members of the public support the work that you do?

There are many ways to join the movement to end homelessness! Every bit of kindness makes a huge impact, from visiting one of the coffee shops and paying it forward to volunteering your time, becoming a regular donor, leaving a legacy or simply following us on socials or signing up to the mailing list. When kindness is shared, it grows.

 

What can we expect from a visit to the new coffee shop?

We have worked really hard to evolve our coffee shop concept to create a new blueprint model. You can expect warm and friendly service, a great atmosphere, an even better playlist, and a vibrant deli counter bursting with beautiful products from local suppliers including Freedom Bakery, Brawsome Bagels, Yolk and Pod and Brave Bakers. With coffee lovingly made by our baristas using beans from Mathew Algie all while knowing that your visit helps support people from a homeless background.

 

Why do you use Greencity as your wholesaler?

We love Greencity’s shared ethos in how they conduct business. Greencity source and supply some of the best products going, which we are really proud to stock. They are more than a supplier, they are friends and go above and beyond to help and support us on our mission. Plus Catherine makes the best hot buttered toast at breakfast meetings!

 

If you could invite 6 people, living or dead, to your dream dinner party who would you invite and why?

David Attenborough – total legend; my granny – another legend who if she was here now would demand a seat at the table; Michelle Obama – she is one inspiring lady and I think she would bring nice wine; Muhammad Yunus – to challenge our way of thinking about social problems; Robin Williams – to do his Mrs Doubtfire voice; and Elon Musk – to see what my granny would think about his ideas!

 

Thanks to Mel at Social Bite for answering our questions! Visit the new Social Bite at 10 Sauchiehall St in Glasgow, and find out more about their other projects at www.social-bite.co.uk