Social Bite’s extraordinary Village project launched last week after six months of building and fifteen months from initial planning to overall completion. Watch Social Bite Village launch video
The Social Bite Village used vacant land donated by City of Edinburgh Council to provide a stable and supported communal way of living for 20 people at a time for around 12-18 months, acting as a stepping stone to permanent accommodation.
The strategy is geared to break the cycle of homelessness, giving community members pathways into employment, permanent housing, and to become independent members of society.
Cruden’s Gill Henry was appointed Project Director for the build and has coordinated and led the project from the outset, working with multiple stakeholders from within the construction industry to ensure the project was delivered on time and to the highest possible standards.
Gill said ‘The Cruden Group is delighted to have led this very innovative project. Social Bite board trusted us to hand pick a consultancy team and supply chain we knew could deliver this project in a unconstrained and refreshingly flexible way. This very rarely happens and demonstrates why relationships and partnership approach can work better in these circumstances rather than the procurement approach. It allowed us to work at speed and take innovative steps without the usual constraints.’
Josh Littlejohn MBE, co-founder of Social Bite, said: “I am so thrilled to see the project reach completion and it has only happened due to the support of literally thousands of people and hundreds of organisations. There’s no one-size-fits all solution to homelessness and what we’re doing at the Village is developing a viable alternative to the unsupported, substandard and expensive temporary accommodation models that are prevalent within the homelessness system such as hostels and B&Bs.
“The project has utilised vacant council owned land with a beautiful pre-fabricated house design to create a bespoke community environment. When the first residents arrive next month, they’ll become part of a safe, positive and supported community. The Village’s on-site support staff, led by the Cyrenians, will encourage people to support each other towards a happier, healthier future in a place of belonging, security and hope.
“The Village wouldn’t be happening without the incredible support we’ve received every step of the way. Whether it is everyone who slept out for us over the last two years and raised funds, or the 100+ companies who have backed the construction of the Village with pro-bono support – I am truly grateful. Special thanks must go to Cruden Group and Gill Henry for directing the overall project, Cornhill Building Services for dealing with the day to day build and Itison for their continued fundraising support.”
The Village was opened by Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, Angela Constance. She said: "We have a shared ambition with Social Bite to see everyone with a warm and safe place to call home, alongside any support they may need.
“Social Bite has done a huge amount of work to raise awareness of homelessness and directly tackle the issues, as today’s innovative initiative shows. Our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group, of which Josh Littlejohn is a member, is making important recommendations on how to eradicate rough sleeping and end homelessness.
“Building on the good work that is already happening, the work of the Action Group and with our £50 million investment, we have a great opportunity to go further and faster to reduce homelessness and ensure support for people in the right place, at the right time.”
It is expected that the Social Bite Village will be in place at Granton for an initial period of four years on land donated by the City of Edinburgh Council. The site is close to green space and the sea front, offering a tranquil space whilst being well-connected to the rest of the city. Although there are no plans to redevelop the site, the homes are designed to be relocated if the land is required for a different use in the future.
For more information visit www.socialbitevillages.co.uk.
Image: Gill Henry (Cruden Group), Josh Littlejohn (Social Bite Founder), Angela Constance (Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities)
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