Social Bite

We're excited that alongside NSL, The City of Edinburgh Council and Westminster City Council, we've been shortlisted in the Parking in the Community Awards. Fingers crossed for a win tonight! NSL has partnered with Social Bite through the Jobs First programme for the past two years. During that time, twelve people have found stable employment and the award nomination celebrates the positive change this partnership brings to communities in Edinburgh and London. Read more on NSL's website: https://lnkd.in/e66rr2aG

Thanks to Mitchells & Butlers PLC and All Bar One Glasgow for a riotous evening of fundraising comedy! Social Bite colleagues Euan and Ambreen enjoyed sharp wit and hilarious stories from comedians Jojo Sutherland, Gareth Mutch, and Dan. A donation from every ticket sold, as well as all proceeds from the mid-show raffle, went towards Social Bite's work providing homes, jobs, food and support.

On Thursday, Aberdeen City Council became the ninth local authority in Scotland to declare a housing emergency. With homelessness applications up 64% in the last year, the declaration recognises a devastating situation that's damaging the lives of Aberdonians, and demands action in order to save to a system that's struggling to cope. Social Bite's Head of Service, Marzena Farana-Sherlock, said: "without immediate, bold measures, the situation will continue to deteriorate, leaving more and more individuals in precarious living conditions or without a place they can call home. We need a Housing Emergency Action Plan to show that the council are determined to act to ensure everyone in Aberdeen has a safe, secure, and suitable place to call home."

Coming soon: Social Bite does dessert! We're trying something new this winter and bringing dessert to The Pitt in Edinburgh. Our custard-focused pop-up will be the newest addition to a fantastic line up of local businesses at the street food market. We chose custard because it’s great hot, cold or frozen, and it works on its own, baked in a dessert, or as a side. Let us know what you think in the comments! Read more: https://lnkd.in/eDVRNQXe

If 100 miles isn't your thing, there's plenty more opportunities to get involved with fundraising for Social Bite. Over the summer, first time fundraiser Abbi took on the Glasgow Women’s 10k in support of Social Bite, raising over £300 to help the mission to end homelessness. After the run, she told us more about her experience of running on the day and why it’s important for younger people to be socially conscious: https://lnkd.in/eBwTUj9H

Today we're celebrating one of our 10 incredible Jobs First employer partners, Heritage Portfolio. An essential part of the Jobs First process is supporting people who have experienced homelessness into the workforce, and Heritage Portfolio’s managers and team members have really embraced training to build their knowledge in this area. Thanks to the way Heritage Portfolio have engaged with each part of the programme, we’ve been able to co-recruit four people so far, with two new Jobs First employees joining Heritage Portfolio in hospitality roles in the coming months. Jobs First Programme Coordinator Emma said, "it’s been a pleasure working alongside the passionate and committed Heritage Portfolio team, supporting colleagues to settle in, helping them learn new skills, and empowering them to build their self-esteem. I look forward to our continued work with Heritage Portfolio and the impact we'll make together!"

As the 2024 summer festivals wrap up, Social Bite Development and Support Worker Hayley shares her experience of Edinburgh during the festival season. "Depending on your life and your perspective, Edinburgh’s vibrant cultural scene can be fun, joyful, interesting, busy, disruptive, annoying. For lots of Edinburgh locals, when it gets a bit much, it’s nice to be able to hide at home. For many of the people who access Social Bite’s free food services, this often isn’t possible because they’re sleeping rough or in temporary accommodation." Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/ev-fu7g9

AND WE’RE OFF 🚴♀️🏃♂️🚶 Today officially kicks off the day one of the #100MILECHALLENGE Good luck and a huge thank you to everyone who has signed up to walk, run or cycle their way through 100 miles between today and World Homeless Day on the 10th October Haven’t signed up yet? You still can at 👉 social-bite.co.uk Register your own challenge today and raise funds to break the cycle of homelessness

With this week's exciting Oasis news, we've been thinking about Sleep in The Park 2017. It was an amazing moment when Liam Gallagher performed in front of 8,000 people in Princes St Gardens, before everyone slept out in freezing winter temperatures in order to raise funds to break the cycle of homelessness. Looking back on all the incredible things Social Bite has been able to do over the years, we know it's only been possible thanks to you - our wonderful supporters who make up the movement to end homelessness 💚

Last year, Janet and Lexi took on Social Bite's 100 MILE CHALLENGE, overcoming injury and proving four-legged friends can help contribute to the movement to end homelessness too! If you're still thinking about signing up to take on 100 miles by World Homelessness Day, Janet's blog makes for inspirating reading: https://lnkd.in/eMJXSrFT