Final-year students support local charity

Abi (Scandinavian Studies and Spanish), Martha (Scandinavian Studies and Social Policy) and Nicole (Chinese and Spanish), three students in their final year, visit Social Bite, an Edinburgh-based charity dedicated to ending homelessness.

For this year's National Student Survey (NSS), the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) pledged to donate £10 to charity in our students' name for every one percent of eligible students who completed the survey, which is aimed at all final year undergraduate students in UK universities.

The survey gives graduating students an opportunity to share their thoughts about their study and academic experience, helping to shape the future of student life at the University of Edinburgh.

LLC asked final-year students to select a charity, and with Social Bite being the most popular choice, students Abi, Martha and Nicole visited their city centre café in Edinburgh to present a £700 donation on behalf of all of LLC's fourth year students.

Learning about Social Bite’s impact and unique approach

Three students in front of the Social Bite cafe in Edinburgh
Abi, Nicole and Martha outside the Social Bite cafe in Edinburgh's city centre

At the café on Rose Street, Abi, Martha and Nicole met with Ross from the Social Bite Fundraising Team to learn more about the charity’s history, principles, and the impact of the LLC donation. As well as serving great food and drinks to paying customers, the coffee shop also provides a daily free food service.

With cafes in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and London, Social Bite follows a ‘no questions asked’ ethos and gives out over 166,000 items of free food and drink per year from their own coffee shops, as well as supporting grassroots organisations by providing free food to people who are vulnerable and experiencing homelessness.

Social Bite’s free meal services run year-round, providing tea, coffee and water, a choice of hot food, sandwiches, fruit and biscuits. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day they provide a Christmas meal with all the trimmings.

Our students also participated in the Pay it Forward scheme, which allows customers to purchase a coffee or a meal for someone in need.

Nicole explains: "It only costs £5 to pay a meal forward, or £3 for a coffee. Not only is it a great scheme and opportunity to give back but I can attest that the coffee is absolutely lovely too."

"Coffee cup with illustration at Social Bite in Edinburgh "
Grabbing a cup of coffee at Social Bite

It was amazing to see the work of this brilliant charity first hand and the impact that LLC's donations will have. Social Bite takes a well-rounded approach to tackling homelessness - it's not just a cafe, but a community hub that raises vital funds for housing and employment opportunities for fellow residents of our city. I've lived in Edinburgh for the past 4 years, and in that time have fallen in love with the city and learnt to call it my home. Social Bite is an opportunity to finally give back to the community that has given me so much.

Nicole, Year 4, Chinese and Spanish MA (Hons)

A significant contribution

The £700 donation from LLC, powered by the graduating students who took part in the survey, will support Social Bite’s many activities and projects across the city. To put it into perspective, the money equates to 140 meals, or a free meal a day for one person for 5 months.

Senior Campaigns & Fundraising Executive Ross explained that beyond providing free meals, the coffee shop serves as a welcoming place where people experiencing homelessness can find a variety of support.

Coffee shop employees and volunteers, some of whom have experienced homelessness themselves, are familiar faces to the people who attend the free food service. They help to reduce isolation with friendly conversation, whilst Social Bite’s support workers can help to connect people to other services, such as healthcare or accommodation.

Students visiting the Social Bite cafe in Edinburgh
Martha, Nicole and Abi with Senior Campaigns & Fundraising Executive Ross

Social Bite also runs a programme called ‘Jobs First,’ which connects people with affected by homelessness to job opportunities. Every employee receives support throughout their employment, and employers get bespoke training and recruitment assistance too

During the visit, Abi, Martha and Nicole had a chance to ask Ross questions and find out more about a wide range of topics, including outreach work, trauma-informed and person-centred approaches, and career advice for working in third-sector organisations like charities and social enterprises.

It was really inspiring to see that something is being done to tackle the housing and financial difficulties faced by so many people here in Edinburgh, and that you can help by something as simple as buying a coffee. If you’re in town, I’d really recommend checking out the shop – the coffee was delicious and it’s for a good cause!

Martha, Year 4, Scandinavian Studies and Social Policy MA (Hons)

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