Social Bite reveals Nest House for new villages and encourages the public to give the gift of home this Christmas

Leading homelessness charity, Social Bite, has unveiled its new 'Nest House' prototype, as part of the launch of its fourth annual Festival of Kindness.

Article Source: Social Bite
Last Updated: 20 November 2023 10:52

Kicking off the campaign in Edinburgh, Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, unveiled the new Nest House design which will feature in two planned new villages – one soon to be announced in South Lanarkshire, and the other in the recently announced Recovery Village in Dundee.

Located in St Andrews Square in Scotland’s capital, the Nest House will give an insight into the plans for the new village in South Lanarkshire, as well as the state-of-the-art Recovery Village in Dundee, both planned to open in early 2025. As part of the charity’s Festival of Kindness campaign, the public are being encouraged to ‘give the gift of home’ and can make a donation to the new Villages which put dignity and support at the core of recovery and people’s journey out of homelessness.

Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness campaign has run nationally every year for the past four years with the aim of providing 300,000 gifts, meals and other essential items to homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas. Donations can be brought to the tree itself located in St Andrew Square in Edinburgh or made online, with a wish list of gifts published that homeless and vulnerable people need most at Christmas.

In addition, five ‘Trees of Kindness’ have been installed in Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and London where donors can bring a physical gift which will all be distributed to homeless and vulnerable people in time for Christmas. Donation stations will launch from Saturday 18th November in St Andrews Square, Edinburgh and Charing Cross station on The Strand, London Friday 17th November (today).

Donations will be able to be made in other major cities this month from:
• 29th November - Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
• 30th November - City Square, Dundee
• 1st December - St. Nicholas Street, Aberdeen

For those who can’t make it along to the Festival of Kindness donation points, contributions can also be made online to the ‘Festival of Kindness’. The charity has published a wish list of items and gifts that vulnerable people and those experiencing homelessness need most at this time of year. These include a warm pair of gloves, a hot water bottle and a torch, good quality socks and toys for children living in temporary accommodation to open on Christmas morning. Donors can also buy a Christmas dinner, a gift, a pack of essential items and overnight emergency accommodation for £28.

With homelessness in Scotland reaching record levels, more children than ever living in temporary accommodation and rhetoric of ‘lifestyle choices’ of those experiencing homelessness making headlines, Social Bite is on an urgent mission to raise funds and donations for those who need it most, and is calling on big-hearted Scots to help them provide essential items and some much needed joy to those who need it most.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, said: “This year we have seen an increase in homelessness in Scotland to record levels. From Covid, to the cost of living crisis, and now unfortunately, misleading commentary from some high-profiled politicians, those experiencing homelessness have been subject to the toughest few years we’ve seen; so once again we are asking the people of Scotland to join us in helping raise critical funds for those that need it most at Christmas. As well as donating towards Christmas dinners and gifts, this year we are also asking the public to give the gift of home by donating towards two new villages.

“The proposed new Villages will be amongst our most important projects to date and that’s why we wanted to give donors the option of helping us create these crucial facilities. We are thrilled to welcome the public to see our prototype house being displayed in St Andrews Square. We believe that everyone, no matter their circumstances should be treated with respect and dignity, which these homes reflect in their design.”

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

The Edinburgh Gin Distillery At The Arches

World-renowned distillers, Edinburgh Gin, has opened the doors to its brand new distillery at The Arches.

Acclaimed Chinese art exhibit brings vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations to textile heartland of Scotland

A highly acclaimed textile exhibit celebrating part of China’s intangible cultural heritage will make its UK debut when it goes on display at the Great Tapestry of Scotland!

Back by popular demand: Murder on the Midnight Express returns to Somewhere By Nico

Back by popular demand, Murder on the Midnight Express is making its highly anticipated return to Somewhere by Nico in Edinburgh and Glasgow for a limited time only.

Fort Kinnaird confirms festive opening hours

Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its festive opening times for last minute shopping and anyone planning a day out with family and friends over the Christmas period.

Australian superstar Jason Donovan makes a much anticipated return to one of his most famous roles

Jason Donovan makes a much anticipated return to one of his most famous roles: playing Frank-N-Furter in Richard O'Brien's anarchic musical, The Rocky Horror Show at Edinburgh Playhouse.

Vault City toasts first ever supermarket listings for stout with major UK name

Jingle Brew: Edinburgh-based independent beer firm Vault City now has its Gingerbread Latte Imperial Stout stocked by Tesco in time for festive season.

Room to Recharge: Kimpton Hotels in Scotland launch new wellness program, Stay Well

Kimpton Hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow have launched 'Stay Well', a new wellness-first initiative designed to help guests 'feel good, travel better, and stay well' while travelling.

Two Weeks Til Edinburghs Hogmanay First Footin

The countdown to the New Year has begun as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay prepares for four days of events to ring in 2025, running from December 29th to January 1st.

Wicked fans in Scotland invited to special Sing Along screenings at Vue this Boxing Day

After becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.

Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition

A generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.

Win a year of free flights as Loganair invites Edinburgh residents to share the joy of reuniting

Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, is spreading the joy of Christmas as it gifts free flights for an entire year for reconnecting with loved ones.

Caledonian Sleeper announces winners of photography competition celebrating UK beauty spots

Caledonian Sleeper has announced the winners of its photography competition aimed at celebrating the country's most scenic locations on the overnight train's iconic route.

Johnston Carmichael clothing collection is the right fit for social mobility charities

Johnston Carmichael has collected over one hundred of items of new and lightly worn pre-loved clothing for charities that help unemployed men and women back into work.

Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners steam home to victory at the ScotRail awards

Newtongrange train station has undergone a transformation this year, thanks to Newtongrange Guerrilla Gardeners, who scooped the Community Project of the Year title.

Scotch liqueur brand takes Christmas to new heights on Edinburgh rooftop bar

Scotch malt whisky cream liqueur brand Magnum, has launched a new winter wonderland experience on the rooftop bar of the iconic Cold Town House in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.

Garden Centre invites budding indoor gardeners to its stores

Dobbies Garden Centres is kicking off the new year on a green note, offering two free workshops at its Scottish stores this January.

Ticketmaster announces Breakthrough 2025 list

Ticketmaster has unveiled its much-anticipated Breakthrough 2025 list, highlighting the brightest up-and-coming stars set to shape the live music scene in 2025.

Edinburgh Zoo plea for locals to refrain from letting off fireworks at Hogmanay

Residents near the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo are being asked not to set off fireworks this Hogmanay, following the death of a baby red panda last month.

Blooming Fabulous! The Scottish Garden Festival arrives in 2025!

This family-friendly festival takes place in the spacious and scenic Hamilton Park Racecourse, offering a perfect setting for all ages to enjoy.

Success for first ever Soundhouse Winter Festival

Music fans packed out the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh for Soundhouse’s first ever Winter Festival.

Christmas Day Dining at Duck & Waffle

Celebrate Christmas Day with friends and family at Duck & Waffle Edinburgh, where the magic of Narnia comes to life!

Biffy Clyro, Young Fathers & Callum Beattie among winners at inaugural Scottish Live Music Awards

The Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA) celebrated the best of Scotland's vibrant live music scene on Thursday night during a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow's Classic Grand Ballroom.

Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage

James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.

Experience a World of Winter Wonder at Dynamic Earth this December

Dynamic Earth invites families to step into a world of winter wonder, and to experience the magic of the holidays like never before.

Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for

The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!

Capital Theatres launches new partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery

Capital Theatres is delighted to celebrate the launch of a new bar partnership with The Secret Garden Distillery, a family-owned luxury distillery based in Edinburgh.

Ring in the New Year at Flight Club Edinburgh with the Ultimate Hogmanay Brunch

Flight Club Edinburgh is celebrating Hogmanay in style with a bottomless brunch to end all bottomless brunches and a gorgeous limited-edition cocktail menu.

itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter

Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.

Rediscovered Artemisia Gentileschi painting goes on display in Scotland for the first time

A rare surviving painting by Artemisia Gentileschi, the greatest female artist of her generation, is on display for visitors to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Cafe Partners with local Dog and Cat Home for Launch of New Club to Support Pets in Need

Sip & Bark, the beloved dog-friendly café in Edinburgh, has announced a new partnership with Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home through the launch of an exclusive membership club.

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall

Social Bite reveals Nest House for new villages and encourages the public to give the gift of home this Christmas

Leading homelessness charity, Social Bite, has unveiled its new 'Nest House' prototype, as part of the launch of its fourth annual Festival of Kindness.

Sponsored Links

Latest Edinburgh News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings