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.”
Wingstop UK, the ultimate experience for iconic wing flavours to enjoy with family and friends, is delighted to open its second site in Edinburgh today.
READ MOREScotland's Kiltwalk Heroes are being urged to once more get walking to raise money for the charities they love as registration has opened for all four 2024 events.
READ MOREHcL (Handicabs Lothian) 2024 charity bungee jump will take place on Saturday the 27th of April in the stunning surroundings of ancient forests in Perthshire.
READ MOREChristmas cinemagoers in Edinburgh get the chance to enjoy a new heart-warming animated short film this month and raise funds for the homeless.
READ MOREOne of Scottish music’s biggest names over the last 50 years will join Celtic music supergroup Skipinnish at two major concerts in Edinburgh and Inverness to mark their 25th anniversary.
READ MOREA MERRY Midlothian village is set to sleigh this year’s Christmas festivities following a donation of 1000 chocolate selection boxes from Cala Homes (East).
READ MORECineworld are delighted to invite film fans to experience the 4DX version of Wonka which will feature an all new special limited edition chocolate scent sure to transport viewers into Wonka's world.
READ MOREEdinburgh's Hogmanay’s world-renowned Torchlight Procession is set to make a return for this year’s 30th anniversary celebrations for the first time since 2019.
READ MOREFamilies invited to Jollyes, Hermiston Gait Retail Park, this Saturday (9th December) for Santa visits, Jollyes Joe dog mascot and prizes to be won.
READ MOREDobbies is announcing over 300 nursery groups and local schools across the country who are set to receive a free real Christmas tree as part of its Not Your Average Community campaign.
READ MOREAll Gusto Italian restaurants will be adding £1 to every bill from 1st December - 31st January in aid of charity, Young Lives vs Cancer.
READ MORETwo of Scotland's best known brands, Social Bite and itison, have joined forces for the 10th year to launch their annual festive fundraising campaign.
READ MORECaledonia Gladiators has partnered with family business and leading highlandwear manufacturers Slanj to embrace its Scottish routes with a bespoke tartan for the club!
READ MOREEdinburgh Zoo has been announced as an official livestream venue for this year’s Royal Institution (Ri) Christmas Lectures, taking place Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 December 2023.
READ MORERenowned Scottish broadcaster and passionate reader, Heather Suttie, has unveiled a captivating podcast series destined to inspire and entertain book lovers around the globe.
READ MORELondon North Eastern Railway (LNER) spread festive cheer today by unveiling a charming chocolate Sharing Station at Edinburgh Waverley Station, to celebrate the release of the film Wonka.
READ MOREScotland’s world champion curling team has launched a new winter wonderland experience on the rooftop bar of Edinburgh’s iconic Cold Town House.
READ MOREHearts FC fans will have the opportunity to meet their favourite players this week as the team is hosting a meet-and-greet at St James’ Quarter in Edinburgh.
READ MOREVirgin Hotels Edinburgh is hosting its inaugural Christmas Market in partnership with Support the Makers on the 10th of December.
READ MORETime is running out to secure a fully-funded place at Fettes College, with applications from students to be completed before mid-January.
READ MORERoyal Collection Trust today announces that The Queen’s Galleries at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse will become The King’s Galleries.
READ MOREIn preparation for the Christmas season, the award-winning Kimpton Charlotte Square hotel has launched a new art exhibition with local gallery Colinton Arts.
READ MOREOlivier-nominee Adam Garcia will star as Caractacus Potts in a new production of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG coming to the Edinburgh Playhouse in 2024.
READ MOREGuinness are partnering with THINK! and Greene King to give away free pints of 0.0 to designated drivers this Christmas!
READ MOREWorld's number one Scotch whisky puts Scotland at the forefront of global food & drink tourism.
READ MOREEmbark on a magical journey this holiday season at Hotel Indigo Edinburgh with a donation from each festive-themed room going to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.
READ MOREVisitScotland's new campaign encourages people to enjoy train travel by promoting a route that connects all of Scotland’s historic cities by train.
READ MOREExperience the magic of shortbread with Walker's 125 Old Fashioned, a limited-edition whisky-based cocktail with a twist! Now available in 28 Scotsman Group bars across Scotland.
READ MOREEncore Edinburgh has opened today on Hope Street in Edinburgh, beneath the bustling Parisian-style West End Brasserie restaurant.
READ MOREBarratt Developments Scotland has joined forces with Dobbies Garden Centres to share top tips and insights on how to dress your front door this Christmas – sustainably and on a budget.
READ MORE