Social Bite, a Scottish charity, has launched a new initiative to help combat student homelessness.
The founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn, MBE, has ventured into a new partnership with coffee supplier Matthew Algie. Their Elevator blend will be served in the charity’s cafés with 10% of the proceeds going towards supporting homelessness in Scotland.
This operation was prompted by a recent report by the Cross Party Group which found a shortfall of bed spaces for more than 25,000 students. This led to the Scottish government declaring a housing emergency in the country.
According to the Edinburgh National Council the highest risk is in Edinburgh as of November 2023. There are currently 13,852 in unsuitable living conditions.
One student from the University of Edinburgh told The Student:
“Last year I knew so many people who were sleeping at the library or crashing on their friends’ couches because they literally had nowhere to stay”
Social Bite already has a café at Rainy Hall, New College at Edinburgh University. Previously, the University of Edinburgh has also contributed to a donation fund that provided 2000 places for students and staff without homes.
Josh Littlejohn told Scottish Housing News that:
“Seeing Social Bite in their university or college might even encourage students to seek support for their own housing or encourage those around them to”
The University of Edinburgh has an emergency accommodation page for anyone who may be experiencing a crisis or insecure housing.
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