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.”
The Wasps Winter Market at The Briggait was well attended, with over 2000 visitors braving the icy weather to support the local makers and artists with their purchases in the run up to Christmas.
READ MORE'Choose Public Transport' campaign launched as Glasgow's busy night-time social season gets in full swing.
READ MORESome of Scotland's most famous faces including Jim Kerr, Sanjeev Kohli and Amy Macdonald join OVO Hydro to celebrate memories of the last 10 years.
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 MOREBusinesses will have the chance to make a powerful and lasting recommitment to tackling the climate crisis with the return of Congress of Business (COB) 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 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 MOREPassengers and staff at one of Scotland's busiest train stations in December are being asked to support a supermarket voucher appeal in aid of vulnerable families.
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 MOREThe big fella is coming to Golf Fang, get ready for sheer 90s nostalgia at this weekend's Christmas experience!
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 MOREHollywood Bowl celebrates the festive season offering customers to strike it lucky and win their Christmas lunch centrepiece!
READ MORELuxury Scottish fragrance brand ARRAN Sense of Scotland are celebrating the launch of the 2023 Christmas campaign in their Buchanan Galleries store with six luxury prizes up for grabs!
READ MOREScotland's favourite festive Carnival rolls out over 16s session with exclusive DJ set!
READ MOREBook now and get 15% off a private bay with unlimited golf and a special three-course food menu served to your climate-controlled bay.
READ MORESpecial recognition for two driving forces involved in initiative PLUS impact of Ibrox Commons transformation recognised.
READ MOREHelen Flanagan, known to millions as Rosie Webster in Coronation Street, will make her theatrical stage debut as Miss Scarlett in the world premiere UK tour of Cluedo 2.
READ MOREDobbies has announced its free Grow How session for December, where customers can immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit and learn how to look after Poinsettias through the festive season.
READ MOREExpect more unexpected, ridiculous joy around the dartboard this festive season at Flight Club announce their Christmas and New Year's Eve offerings!
READ MOREVirgin Hotels Glasgow, part of the luxury lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has officially launched its flagship restaurant and bar, Commons Club.
READ MOREAldi Scotland is ensuring its customers don't need to splurge on their décor this festive season, as it announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees starting from just £16.99.
READ MOREThe University of Glasgow has launched a new campaign highlighting ongoing work to improve its approach to Gender-Based Violence.
READ MOREMax George is set to make his stage acting debut in the world premiere of Kay Mellor’s The Syndicate UK Tour.
READ MOREActor and comedian, Ricky Tomlinson is to return to the stage in the popular musical comedy that celebrates the best of Irish culture.
READ MOREThe winners of Glasgow's Sport Awards 2023 were announced last night during a gala ceremony at the Emirates Arena's Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
READ MOREThe organisers of itison Drive In Movies Christmas have announced an extra date is being added on Tues 19th December after phenomenal demand when tickets went on sale earlier this month.
READ MORELocals urged to help families facing sacrifices and shortages this Christmas by donating decorations and treats.
READ MOREitison's HUGE Pink Weekender flash sale has kicked off with massive EXTRA savings to be made on over 1,000 fantastic local experiences!
READ MOREA new path network has been created on the Dalquharran estate in Dailly, South Ayrshire, making the area more welcoming for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.
READ MORELoch Lomond Shores is hosting its fantastic FREE Christmas festival December 2nd & 3rd bringing family festive cheer to visitors looking for a great day out to get them in that festive frame of mind!
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"