Article Source: Social Bite
Last Updated: 25 April 2024 16:51
Social Bite, renowned for its ground-breaking efforts to combat homelessness, has taken a significant step forward in its mission with permission granted yesterday (Wednesday 24th April) from South Lanarkshire Council on a proposed Social Bite Village in Rutherglen. This vital programme characterises the charity's commitment to addressing homelessness in the region through innovative and proven solutions.
The proposed village, to be situated on a brownfield site on Harriet Street, will consist of 15 modern, sustainable modular homes, known as Nest houses, accompanied by a dynamic community hub. Tailored to meet the needs of its residents, the village provides a supportive environment, facilitating their journey out of homelessness through on-site support services and a range of skills and confidence building activities.
In light of escalating demand for temporary accommodation and concerning statistics, including over 39,000 applications for homelessness assistance in Scotland in 2022-2023, Social Bite is seeking to emulate the success of its existing village in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Social Bite Village, opened in 2018, has already supported over 100 people in a situation of homelessness, many of whom have now moved on to permanent housing, showcasing the effectiveness of the model in tackling homelessness.
The charity and social enterprise will be entering into a community consultation stage and applying for planning permission following the decision made yesterday by South Lanarkshire Council. A decision on the application is expected in Q3 2024, paving the way for construction of the homes and hub, beginning in Autumn 2025. The first residents are expected to move in in Summer of 2025.
Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, emphasised the urgent need for innovative solutions in addressing homelessness, stating: “It’s brilliant to get the go ahead from South Lanarkshire Council on our proposal for the newest Social Bite Village to be located in Rutherglen. Our Social Bite Villages represent a pioneering approach to tackling homelessness in Scotland. By collaborating with the local community, South Lanarkshire Council, and our charity partners, this new village will establish a transformative model of accommodation that not only provides beautiful homes to live in, but also helps to break the cycle of homelessness for the individuals that will move in by giving people all the support they need.
“It’s important to us that the local community are part of this journey. As we begin to embed plans for this new village, we’ll look to start public consultation in the coming months. We’re working closely with South Lanarkshire Council to ensure the village is a positive asset to the local community.”
The proposed village includes 15 modern, sustainable modular ‘Nest Houses’ and a community hub surrounded by beautiful landscaping and an outdoor gym facility. The environment aims to create a vibrant community that fosters positive relationships, personal growth, and wellbeing through various activities and support services.
South Lanarkshire Council Head of Housing Services, Sharon Egan, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Social Bite on this innovative project. The energy efficient modular housing, with housing support, will assist our customers who are faced with homelessness and the trauma that this brings.
“This exciting partnership will bring training and employment opportunities to our customers, will invest in the local community and support community wealth. This addition to our temporary accommodation comes at an integral point where South Lanarkshire are experiencing unprecedented levels of homeless.”
As well as the Social Bite Edinburgh Village, in 2023, the charity also announced its plans for a Recovery Village in Dundee to tackle rising drug and alcohol deaths in the city with development plans for this project ongoing.
For more information on the South Lanarkshire Village, visit: social-bite.co.uk/southlanarkshire
THE highly anticipated team-up of Deadpool & Wolverine is finally arriving at screens across the UK and Ireland this weekend at Vue Cinemas.
READ MOREEdinburgh’s award-winning Cold Town Brewery has launched a nationwide search to appoint an honorary chief taster to help develop its new summer beer range.
READ MOREJoin a very special session on Zoom as The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) celebrates The Gruffalo's 25th birthday, in partnership with Macmillan Children's Books!
READ MORECharity appeals for Footpath Fund donations as countryside visitors increase by 16 percent in first half of the year.
READ MOREMusic lovers have a lot to celebrate this summer at Vue, with three exciting titles hitting the big screen – including BLACKPINK’s latest concert film.
READ MOREGlasgow venue hosted creators from around the UK and national, local, and golf press on the eve of The 152nd Open Championship.
READ MOREIn response to Scotlands gloomy and grey summer weather, Aldi Scotland has launched a nationwide hunt for the country’s Ultimate BBQ Ambassador.
READ MOREThe landscape photography competition will run until October with three prizes up for grabs!
READ MORETrust in the Park has teamed up with renowned round-the-world cyclist and filmmaker Markus Stitz to showcase Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park’s accessible routes this summer.
READ MOREOn 22 August, the team at Impact Arts will raise a glass to three decades of life-changing work, as Scotland's leading creative engagement charity prepares to mark its 30th anniversary.
READ MOREDobbies is celebrating National Allotment Week by inviting gardening enthusiasts across the country to a series of free Grow How workshops throughout the month, focusing on allotment gardening.
READ MORENeurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre collaborates with local creative organisations to create opportunities and support the transition to life beyond school.
READ MORERenfrew's Robertson Park will host Scotland's top piping talent once again as the Renfrew Pipe Band Competition returns to the town on Saturday 20th July.
READ MOREVisitScotland has analysed over 11,500 books on the Goodreads database to reveal readers’ top-rated books set in Scotland and the regions most frequently depicted in literature.
READ MOREScotland's biggest live music event has been confirmed to go ahead next year, and fans can get their hands on early bird tickets this week.
READ MORECommunity groups in Scotland to be awarded grants ranging from £10,000 to £25,000.
READ MOREBe Inclusive Hospitality (BIH) is thrilled to announce that nominations are now open for the third BIH Spotlight Awards.
READ MOREOn the first day of the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open in North Berwick, young golfers from across Scotland received a surprise visit from the tournament’s official championship trophy.
READ MOREBorders stately home Floors Castle is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its Inflatable Insanity giant obstacle course this summer!
READ MORESleeping Warrior Theatre Company are delighted to bring their latest musical extravaganza, To Save The Sea, to Scottish stages this autumn.
READ MOREScotland's national music prize, The Scottish Album of the Year Award, has launched, inviting artists, music fans and labels to submit eligible albums and be in the running for the prestigious prize.
READ MOREDobbies is inviting children aged 4-10 to a free and interactive Little Seedlings workshop on Sunday 4th August, that includes a dedicated gardening Show and Tell.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holidays at Vue venues in Scotland.
READ MORETwo steel blast doors from East Kilbride’s secret Cold War bunker will go on display for the first time in a new exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland.
READ MOREFrom the farm's latest arrivals to the ever-popular historic farm house and museum, there’s plenty of family fun to be had at the National Museum of Rural Life!
READ MOREBorders' jewel announces sensational line-up of world-class bands for summer music spectacular.
READ MOREOne of the world's oldest celebrations of contemporary classical music and sound, Nordic Music Days takes place in Scotland for the first time in its 136-year history!
READ MORESummerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 6th and 7th of July with lots of things to see and do!
READ MOREVue has announced the latest set of family-friendly blockbusters arriving this summer, as well as a number of new ways for families and kids of all ages to enjoy time together at the big screen!
READ MOREGarden Centre offers free summer plant care workshops across its stores.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"