Josh Littlejohn MBE is a leading social entrepreneur and Sunday Times best-selling author.
Josh began his career as a social entrepreneur when he co-founded Social Bite, a social enterprise with a mission to end homelessness. Social Bite started as a small chain of sandwich shops that began offering jobs and free food to homeless people.
The cafes shot to global fame when Hollywood A-lister George Clooney visited an outlet in Edinburgh in 2015. Another Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio then visited the social enterprise in 2016. Social Bite now employs over 75 people, many from a background of homelessness; and gives out over 200,000 items of food each year to homeless and vulnerable people through a network of cafes across the UK.
In May 2018, Josh and his team launched an innovative accommodation project for homeless people in Edinburgh called the Social Bite Village, welcoming their first residents later that year. The Village comprises of 11 prefabricated wooden houses with gardens and a community hub, built on vacant land. The project offers a home to vulnerable homeless people for between 1 and 3 years, during which time they are provided with extensive support in a community environment where residents learn new skills and get their life back on track.y
This project combined with a nationwide ‘Housing First’ project that Social Bite created in partnership with the Scottish Government has resulted in over 1000 homeless people being housed in Scotland.
In May 2019, alongside Will Smith and Dame Helen Mirren, Josh launched a global campaign: “The World’s Big Sleepout”. The campaign staged ‘sleep out’ fundraising events in over 52 cities throughout the world including Times Square, New York and Trafalgar Square, London. 60,000 people slept out in unison in the world’s largest display of solidarity for homeless and displaced people, and raised funds for charities all over the world.
Josh is also the co-founder of Brewgooder, a social enterprise brewery that sells beer and donates proceeds to fund clean water projects in Africa. Josh has so far raised over £25 million for charity and homelessness causes.
In 2023, Josh released his debut book entitled “Paying it Forward: How to be a social entrepreneur”, which debuted at number 7 on the Sunday Times Best Sellers chart.
Josh has received an MBE from the Queen, which he dedicated to the homeless and marginalized. He has received a Pride of Britain Award, a Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, 5 honorary doctorates and he also made the Debrett’s list of 500 most influential people in the UK.
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Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in East Renfrewshire? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Led by Dr. Stuart Nisbet as well as looking at Giffnock's Sandstone Quarries, this walk will tell the story of the hundreds of miners who worked coal from under much of Giffnock.
READ MOREJoin the UK's hardest swinging band Down for the Count All-Stars as they celebrate A Century of Swing at Eastwood Park Theatre on Thursday 2nd May!
READ MOREFollowing rave reviews and a sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe, BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad and Absolutely, Jack Docherty brings his critically-acclaimed show David Bowie & Me to Giffnock!
READ MOREBack to Bacharach celebrates the timeless masterpieces of Burt Bacharach 'The Hitmaker' behind one of the greatest American songbooks of the 20th Century!
READ MOREExperience the powerful star vocals of four Josephs, coming together for a magical evening of West End and Broadway musical classics at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MORECosmic Cat and Hopscotch Films present a night of film and live comedy with Janey Godley at Eastwood Park Theatre on Wednesday 8th May!
READ MOREJoin Paul Noble on a time travelling journey from the vikings to the Victorians from objects he discovered in the crawl space under his house!
READ MORELed by Dr. Stuart Nisbet this heritage walk will tell the story of how Giffnock's limestone and fireclay were quarried.
READ MOREThe Scottish Comedians at Eastwood Park Theatre is guaranteed to be one of the funniest nights out you will have in 2024!
READ MOREYou'll think you're experiencing the Fab Four live in concert when you catch Just Beatles when they return to Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock on Saturday 11th May!
READ MORERunway Theatre Company are delighted to return to Eastwood Park Theatre with the latest version of modern classic musical, Anything Goes!
READ MOREStarring national treasure Bonnie Langford as Dorothy Brock and featuring iconic songs 42nd Street, We're In The Money and Lullaby of Broadway, this is pure magic on the big screen!
READ MOREThe epic new Welsh fantasia Nye, which sees Michael Sheen playing Nye Bevan, will be broadcast live from the National Theatre to Eastwood Park Theatre on Monday 20th May!
READ MOREShakespeare's profound story of love and loss, artfully adapted into a contemporary three-act narrative ballet by Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon, returns to the Main Stage!
READ MOREFeaturing iconic stand-up material alongside fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpses, don't miss a special screening of Billy Connolly documentary Big Banana Feet at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREGiffnock Theatre Players return to Eastwood Park Theatre in May with their production of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None!
READ MOREEastwood Park Theatre will welcome former footballer and celebrated Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill, for a special event on Friday 31st May!
READ MOREThe iconic songs of Sting. The electrifying choreography of Kate Prince. This is a tale of hope. Don't miss a special screening of Message In A Bottle at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREThis 'tale as old as time' will transport you to a wonderful world, filled with spectacular songs and dances, when Harlequin Youth Theatre present Beauty and the Beast at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MORECountry fans will be given a taste of Nashville when Soul Street Productions' sell-out show Made in Tennessee – A Night of Country Music comes to Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREJonas Kaufmann headlines David McVicar's spectacular staging of Giordano's epic historical drama, conducted by long-time collaborator Antonio Pappano.
READ MOREMusic icon John Lydon, frontman and lyricist of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd (PiL), will take centre stage at Eastwood Park Theatre in June 2024!
READ MOREInspired by the stories of Ramayana and Snow White, Apple ‘N’ Spice at Eastwood Park Theatre, is the magical tale of two stepmothers: one from the East and one from the West.
READ MOREMy National Gallery film gives voice to those who work at the gallery – from cleaner to curator, security guard to director – who identify the one artwork that means the most to them and and why!
READ MOREArtie is bringing the original Singing Kettles packed full of clues to his Greatest Hits show at Eastwood Park Theatre on Saturday 29th June!
READ MOREScotland's professional touring company Opera Bohemia returns to Eastwood Park Theatre with a reimagining of Puccini's masterpiece, Tosca!
READ MOREAn all-star cast of Ireland's most talented singers and performers bring Ireland The Show to Eastwood Park Theatre on Thursday 25th July!
READ MORECalling all dino fans... join an interactive adventure to save Volcano Island from an erupting volcano and meet incredible life-like dinosaurs when Dinosaur Adventure Live comes to Giffnock!
READ MOREThe King of the Waltz, Andre Rieu, invites you to his all-new cinema concert for 2024 'Power of Love', from his beautiful hometown of Maastricht!
READ MOREAs part of their Scotland Inspires series, join Eastwood Park Theatre as they welcome Dr David Hamilton to talk about his inspirational practice and answer your questions.
READ MOREJay Lafferty brings her smash hit, five star, Edinburgh Fringe sell out show Bahookie to Eastwood Park Theatre on Saturday 14th September!
READ MORETheatre Guild Glasgow are delighted to return to Eastwood Park Theatre in September with their next musical production, the timeless classic Singin' in the Rain!
READ MOREQue Sera Sera is a magnificent show that pays homage to one of Hollywood's greatest stars – Doris Day, don't miss it at Eastwood Park Theatre on Sunday 22nd September!
READ MOREThis uniquely Scottish adaptation of Treasure Island at Eastwood Park Theatre featuring live music is perfect for pirates, landlubbers, and the whole family!
READ MORECome and enjoy this evening of conversation with this Celtic Legend where Neil Lennon reflects on his career highs and lows, and also participates in our audience Q&A.
READ MOREAs the USA heads to the polls, join award-winning travel writer, public speaker, and filmmaker Simon Parker for a night of adventure at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MORECelebrating over 30 years on the road, Buddy Holly and the Cricketers bring a night of infectious energy and signature 1950's rockabilly sounds to Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREEastwood Park Theatre has announced 'An Intimate Evening With Martin Fry' on Sunday 13th October!
READ MOREFeaturing storytelling, music and Scot's ballads, The Forgotten Orchard brings to life Scotland's rich orchard heritage and celebrates diversity, home grown food and the joy of harvest!
READ MOREEastwood Park Theatre has announced a unique show with the Queen of the West End, Kerry Ellis!
READ MOREPrepare to hear Aled Jones as you've never heard him before when he brings his Full Circle tour to Eastwood Park Theatre on Saturday 12th April!
READ MOREJoin the UK's hardest swinging band Down for the Count All-Stars as they celebrate A Century of Swing at Eastwood Park Theatre on Thursday 2nd May!
READ MOREBack to Bacharach celebrates the timeless masterpieces of Burt Bacharach 'The Hitmaker' behind one of the greatest American songbooks of the 20th Century!
READ MOREExperience the powerful star vocals of four Josephs, coming together for a magical evening of West End and Broadway musical classics at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREYou'll think you're experiencing the Fab Four live in concert when you catch Just Beatles when they return to Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock on Saturday 11th May!
READ MORERunway Theatre Company are delighted to return to Eastwood Park Theatre with the latest version of modern classic musical, Anything Goes!
READ MOREStarring national treasure Bonnie Langford as Dorothy Brock and featuring iconic songs 42nd Street, We're In The Money and Lullaby of Broadway, this is pure magic on the big screen!
READ MOREThe epic new Welsh fantasia Nye, which sees Michael Sheen playing Nye Bevan, will be broadcast live from the National Theatre to Eastwood Park Theatre on Monday 20th May!
READ MOREShakespeare's profound story of love and loss, artfully adapted into a contemporary three-act narrative ballet by Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon, returns to the Main Stage!
READ MOREGiffnock Theatre Players return to Eastwood Park Theatre in May with their production of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None!
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