The spirit of Robert Burns and his renowned concern for those encountering hardship was honoured by famous haggis manufacturer Macsween of Edinburgh Ltd, who organised a traditional Burns Supper for the Social Bite Village in Edinburgh.
The Social Bite Village Community is a supportive residential community in the Granton district of the city that provides a safe and caring home for 16 individuals who have been assessed as homeless. It was built by Social Bite and run by Cyrenians, with support, activities and administration provided by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers.
Macsween of Edinburgh Ltd, and sister company Malcolm Allan Ltd, have a long tradition of supporting charitable causes, and in recent times have frequently donated food items from their production to FareShare, an organisation that redistributes surplus food to other charities that turn it into meals.
Against this background, Macsween was quick to offer its support in organising a lunchtime Burns Supper event for both residents and staff of the Village Community, which included the donation of traditional haggis and vegetarian haggis, as well as steak pies from Malcolm Allan.
The event was a tremendous success, which included director James Macsween providing the star-turn by giving the traditional ‘address to a haggis’ at the start of the supper.
James Macsween said: “We were delighted to support the Social Bite Village, which does an incredible job in supporting homeless people in Edinburgh.
“We were especially pleased that it gave residents an opportunity to experience such an iconic part of Scottish tradition and culture, which would otherwise not have been possible.”
Josh Littlejohn, the founder of the Social Bite Village, said: “A huge thank you to Macsween for providing a Burns Night lunch at the Social Bite Village in Edinburgh. Sharing food in a safe space helps to create a sense of community and trust, which is why eating together is at the heart of our work.
“It can be something that people have never experienced before, so it’s wonderful that Macsween share our values and provided a delicious meal to bring people together in the supportive village environment.”
Hillcrest Futures’ Lauriston in Leith service has opened a free clothing boutique for women in supported accommodation, made possible by a strong response from the local community.
Staff at the service shared a request for donations on the I Love Leith Facebook group, asking if people could help set up a small clothing store for women moving into Lauriston in Leith with very few belongings. The response was overwhelming. More than 100 people replied and over 30 separate donations were received, including clothes in a wide range of sizes, accessories and clothing rails.
Unused cupboard space at the service has now been transformed into a well-stocked clothing store, which the women have named The Scorpio Boutique.
The boutique is based on a model that has already proven successful elsewhere in the city. Hillcrest Futures has long operated the Clothesline Project, a fashion boutique within its Bruntsfield House homeless accommodation service, which offers anyone in Edinburgh experiencing or at risk of homelessness access to free, good-quality clothing in a welcoming, retail-style environment.
Yvonne Donaldson, Service Manager at Lauriston in Leith, said: “We often see women arrive with very little after experiencing homelessness. We wanted to create something that was practical, but also positive and dignified.
“The response from the Leith community was incredible. People donated far more than we expected, and it has made a real difference to the women who live here.”
The Scorpio Boutique allows women to browse freely and choose items when they need them, with no limits on visits. Staff say the space has become both a useful resource and an enjoyable activity.
Yvonne added: “It is lovely to see the change in confidence when the women visit the boutique. They enjoy choosing things for themselves and often come back to show everyone what they have picked.”
The name The Scorpio Boutique was chosen by the women themselves, who put forward suggestions and voted, with Scorpio winning as many of the voters share that star sign.
One woman using the service said: “I was made homeless after my mum passed away and I lost my home and everything in it. I was left with nothing. Having the Scorpio Boutique means I can have things that belong to me again. It is not just essentials – being able to get accessories is also really important to me.”
The generosity of the local community also extends beyond clothing donations and into everyday practical support.
Recently, a staff member at Lauriston in Leith approached The Gull’s Grocery, an independent grocer in Leith, to ask whether they would consider donating any leftover fresh produce. The shop kindly agreed and is now providing a weekly supply of fresh fruit and vegetables to the women supported by the service.
These donations make a real difference, allowing residents to cook nourishing meals and enabling fresh pots of soup and other communal dishes to be prepared and shared together.
John Booth, Director of Futures, said: “This is a great example of what can happen when a community comes together.
“From clothing donations for The Scorpio Boutique to weekly fresh food from a local independent grocer, these acts of generosity help create welcoming and dignified spaces for women who have been through very difficult experiences.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed.”
Lauriston in Leith is a supported accommodation service in Edinburgh for women experiencing homelessness.
Hillcrest Futures would like to thank the Leith community, and local businesses such as The Gull’s Grocery, for their kindness and ongoing support.
More than 2,500 tonnes of crushed demolition material recycled to provide firm foundations for Edinburgh’s new Social Bite Village
A man-made mountain of more than 2,500 tonnes of crushed demolition material has been transported across Edinburgh as part of an innovative scheme to provide a long-term solution for people facing homelessness.
The mammoth operation saw almost 100 truckloads of inert building rubble recycled from a city centre development site to form the foundations of a new Social Bite Village, located along the capital’s Granton waterfront.
Charity Social Bite teamed up with regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate to relocate building material which remained following the demolition of the former Deutsche Bank House at 525 Ferry Road (above), making way for Artisan’s spectacular homes-led redevelopment of the site in 2026.
The recycled rubble is now being used to create level groundwork as part of the ongoing construction of the Social Bite Village which will soon become home for up to 16 people who have been affected by homelessness.
The new waterfront community will provide seven new one-bedroom ‘Nest Houses’, together with existing homes converted into single occupancy based on resident feedback. The new community will also include a communal area for residents to cook, gather and relax, together with gardens and space to grow fruit and vegetables.
“This is a superb example of how clever collaboration in the building industry can help improve the world around us,” says Artisan’s Managing Director for Scotland, David Westwater.
“As part of Artisan’s stated commitment to sustainability, we always ensure that as much material as possible can be reused or recycled following demolition. And for this commitment to allow us to help such a life-empowering movement as the creation of a new Social Bite Village means that this really is a perfect development partnership.”
The new Social Bite Village is a relocation of the existing temporary village site, less than one mile away in Granton. The charity’s Edinburgh village model has so far helped more than 100 residents who, at the end of their stay, are supported in transitioning to permanent accommodation. Many have gone on to secure employment, reconnect with family, and move into their own permanent homes.
Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, adds: “It’s very exciting to see our new project taking shape on a stunning seafront location, and we are delighted to be partnering with Artisan to provide such a firm foundation for the site.
“The success of the Edinburgh Village serves as a blueprint for other projects that we are planning. Its design offers people affected by homelessness, living in unsupported temporary accommodation or other insecure housing, a safe and supportive community in which to find a fresh start.
“With many cities all over the UK declaring housing emergencies and becoming overly reliant on expensive, substandard temporary accommodation, we are proud that our village projects can demonstrate a better alternative that also makes use of innovative construction methods.”
Artisan will start construction of its Ferry Road site, known as 525 Park View (above) in early 2026, in partnership with REInvest Asset Management S.A.
The development will create a low-carbon residential-led community providing 256 sustainable homes, 25% of which will be for affordable housing.
Flexible commercial space facing on to Ferry Road will provide potential for cafes, shops and shared workspaces.
NHS Lothian was pleased to welcome the First Minister to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh recently to visit the Cyrenians In Reach Service at NHS Lothian.
The service supports patients in hospital experiencing homelessness to complete treatment and secure suitable housing. The visit came as the Scottish Government announced an additional £40,000 for the In Reach service across NHS Lothian’s three hospitals.
The First Minister, John Swinney, said: “The Cyrenians In Reach Hospital service is absolutely vital for Edinburgh, supporting the most vulnerable patients at risk of homelessness and ensuring they have a home to go to once their treatment is completed.
“Meeting staff and former patients today has given me a key insight into how the service works and the vital role it plays. The further £40,000 from the Scottish Government will ensure it can be expanded to accommodate even more patients, most of whom are also experiencing poor mental health.
“Improving public services is a key priority for the Scottish Government and services such as this play an essential role in supporting our hospitals, local authorities and third partners to reduce rates of homelessness.”
Caroline Hiscox, Chief Executive for NHS Lothian, said: “Working with the Cyrenians Hospital In-Reach service helps us ensure patients experiencing homelessness can leave hospital safely, recover well and reduce preventable readmissions.
“We look forward to supporting this important partnership to expand.”
Chief Executive of Cyrenians Ewan Aitken said: “Homelessness majorly affects people’s health. Studies show that those who have experienced homelessness are three times as likely to be admitted to hospital, and for three times as long.
“Cyrenians Hospital InReach team have been tackling this huge public health issue for nearly five years now – reducing readmissions by three thirds.
“Thanks to this additional funding, we’ll be able to help even more people get the direct support they need, when they need it, find suitable accommodation, and stop the revolving door of hospital and homelessness.”
New research has revealed one in two people (56 per cent) living in Edinburgh have experienced feelings of loneliness at Christmas, with almost one in five (18 per cent) saying they expect to feel lonelier this year than they did last Christmas.
The research, conducted by Fort Kinnaird in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, also found that more than half (53 per cent) of people in Edinburgh said they wouldn’t know where to turn for help when struggling with loneliness or isolation.
Worryingly, almost half (49 per cent) also said they don’t feel comfortable confiding in someone they trust about how they feel – a tendency that increases with age.
In response, Fort Kinnaird has teamed up with Edinburgh-based charities Cyrenians and Edinburgh Young Carers to help raise awareness of the support they can provide for vulnerable groups experiencing feelings of loneliness, including people who are homeless and young carers.
Cyrenians works to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness, including social isolation, by offering prevention, early-intervention and supported-housing services.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh Young Carers provides respite and support to young people who care for somebody at home. They aim to improve the lives and wellbeing of young carers by raising awareness, offering emotional and practical support and by giving each young person the opportunity to take a break from their caring role which can be very isolating.
Fort Kinnaird will be donating advertising space to both of the local charities, helping to signpost the vital support for those who need it most, while also encouraging donations. Adverts promoting the charities will feature across its digital screens, on posters and bathroom mirror vinyls, as well as on social media and the centre’s website during the festive period.
Later this month, the centre will also bring back its popular Letters of Hope initiative for the second year, where shoppers are encouraged to share messages of support that will once again be distributed by Cyrenians to vulnerable members of the community, helping to combat social isolation over the festive period.
Shoppers will also be able to make a voluntary donation to Cyrenians through a donation point located next to the ‘Letters of Hope’ Mailbox.
To support young people experiencing loneliness, the centre will also be hosting digital workshops run by animation and film makers D Fie Foe, in partnership with Edinburgh Young Carers. The workshops will aim to provide young people with useful skills in digital filmmaking, whilst using creativity as a platform to connect and collaborate with others.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“The festive period is a truly special time for us at Fort Kinnaird, bringing people from across the community together to enjoy our Christmas markets and festive activities, but sadly we know that it can be a lonelier time for some.
“Having worked closely with Cyrenians over the past year, we’re acutely aware of the impact that social isolation and loneliness can have and wanted to build on our partnership to increase our support for those in need this Christmas.
“We’re proud to be partnering Cyrenians and Edinburgh Young Carers to raise awareness of the local support available, whilst creating opportunities for meaningful moments of connection this Christmas.
“We look forward to seeing the messages of festive joy shared by our visitors through Letters of Hope, whilst raising valuable donations for Cyrenians.”
Alexa Knight, Director of Policy and Influence for the Mental Health Foundation, said: “We can all feel lonely at times, but when loneliness lasts for a long period, it can have a profound impact on our mental health.
“At Christmas, this can feel even harder because the portrayal of the season as full of joy and togetherness can deepen feelings of isolation if we are lonely.
“Working with Fort Kinnaird allows us to shine a light on an issue that is often hidden, encourage open conversations, and connect people with the support and understanding they need this Christmas and beyond.
“It’s important to note that loneliness isn’t something individuals should have to fix alone; we all have a role to play. Taking time to check in with people around us, offering a listening ear, or creating spaces where others feel welcome can make a real difference.”
The research also revealed that whilst loneliness is often associated with older generations, younger people are increasingly struggling too, with more than a third (34 per cent) of 18–24-year-olds anticipating greater feelings of loneliness this year.
Social media also emerged as a key influence, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) of people saying that online platforms make them feel more alone at Christmas, whilst financial pressures (43 per cent), being physically distant from family and friends (29 per cent) and the recent loss of a loved one (27 per cent) and were the key reasons behind feelings of disconnection.
Margaret Murphy, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Young Carers,said:“Edinburgh Young Carers are delighted to be working with Fort Kinnaird on this campaign in the run up to the festive period.
“Young carers take on incredible responsibilities for their loved ones throughout the year, and Christmas can often be an isolating and difficult time.
We hope this campaign will highlight the support that young car”ers and young adult carers have a right to access – including a break from caring and a chance to have fun and spend time with friends.”
Throughout the festive period, Fort Kinnaird will also be transformed into a festive wonderland filled with seasonal street food, artisan gifts, fairground rides and spectacular circus shows for all to enjoy.
Scheme launched to help return more empty homes to active use
A new online portal has been launched to bring empty homeowners together with prospective buyers or developers with the aim of facilitating more properties to be used as homes again.
Covering the whole of Scotland, this builds on the success of local pilots, referred to as “matchmaker schemes”, which allow owners of empty homes to upload details of their properties to a website through which anyone, such as first time buyers, families, developers or local authorities, can make purchasing enquiries.
The portal is hosted by the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership and has been developed as part of a £2 million investment this year to recruit additional empty homes officers and fund initiatives that will accelerate the pace and numbers of empty homes that are brought back into use.
Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “If you have an empty home to sell, this new portal is for you.
“Making best use of existing housing stock is central to tackling the housing emergency. Bringing owners and buyers together is a great way of adding to the overall housing supply, be that for affordable housing or use on the private market and it complements our ambitious house building programme.
“We are already making progress in turning around empty properties. Over the past 15 years we have helped return almost 13,000 privately owned homes to use and last year we saw 2,066 homes brought back in a single year, the highest in a year to date.
“I would encourage anyone who has a home lying empty to use this new scheme and seek advice from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership and their local council to bring their home back into use.”
Tahmina Nizam, Scottish Empty Homes Partnership National Manager, said: “Every home matters in our collective fight against the housing emergency, so we’re delighted to launch this brand-new matchmaker scheme.
“We know selling an empty home can be a daunting task; the matchmaker scheme is designed to make that process easier and to help get more homes back into productive use.
“We want anyone who owns an empty home to know that support is available, either from the network of dedicated local empty homes officers working in local authorities across the country or directly from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership.
“No home was built to sit empty and it’s vital that we make the best possible use of the assets we already have. Every individual empty property could provide a safe and secure place for someone to call home, but collectively Scotland’s empty homes can make a huge contribution to ending the housing emergency.”
A new pilot aimed at preventing people from becoming homeless has officially been given the go-ahead in the Capital after the Council and partners were awarded funding from the Scottish Government.
The System Wide Approach to Prevention (SWAP) – ‘Ask and Act’ initiative will be piloted in Wester Hailes, providing earlier interventions and practical support to help people at risk of homelessness to remain in their homes.
The launch follows the recent passing of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 which places new legal duties on public bodies to ask about a person’s housing situation and take action to prevent homelessness before it happens.
Across Scotland, 15 projects are sharing £4 million through the Homelessness Prevention Pilot Fund, administered by Advice Direct Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, to develop and test prevention pilots.
A team will now be created in the Capital which will include public and third-sector partners. They will be trialling new models of working to provide co-ordinated and timely support for individuals and households at risk of homelessness.
The ‘Ask’ and ‘Act’ duties will be embedded in everyday services provided by partners in the Wester Hailes area.
The services working in partnership with the Council to deliver these duties are NHS Lothian, Police Scotland, Prospect Community Housing, Social Security Scotland, Scottish Prison Service and Crisis.
This approach will allow them to identify what people need help earlier, offer support directly, and request further help and support via a single point of contact within the Council’s prevention services.
Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Tim Pogson said: “This is fantastic news, being awarded just over £600k from a £4 million fund for the whole of Scotland is a tremendous endorsement of our proposal, and I’m grateful to the team who brought it together and partners for agreeing to be part of this.
“It will also help us boost our efforts to tackle the housing emergency facing the city. It’s exciting that work is already under way, and I’m confident we’ll see positive results in the new year.
“Preventing homelessness and supporting tenants before they reach crisis point is essential to ensuring as many people as possible have a secure home.
“Last year alone, our homelessness prevention services helped 2,622 households as part of our Local Housing Strategy, the city’s overarching strategy for housing and homelessness.”
Màiri McAllan, the Housing Secretary, Scottish Government, said: “We are determined to end homelessness – and the best way to do this is to prevent homelessness in the first place.
“This investment in prevention pilots will help us test and scale up innovative approaches to help people stay in their homes.
Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Councillor Tim Pogson writes about homelessness services
As I embark on a new role as Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, I’m all too aware of the severe pressures facing the city.
We’re now two years on from declaring a housing emergency in the Capital and demand for safe, comfortable homes is as high as ever. Edinburgh has the lowest amount of social housing per head of population in Scotland with only 14% social housing compared to a national average of 23%.
Here, 80,000 residents live in relative poverty, including one in five children. There are around 6000 homeless households in Edinburgh being supported in temporary accommodation – approximately 11,500 individuals.
These figures are stark, and as we enter colder winter months the necessity to provide warm, accessible accommodation is particularly urgent. Preventing people from becoming homeless in the first place and helping tenants to avoid reaching crisis point is the best way to make sure as many people as possible have somewhere to call home.
I’ve been really impressed by the range of preventative work already being carried out by Council officers, the third sector and other partners to assist households on the verge of homelessness.
Last year, through homelessness prevention services we helped prevent homelessness for 2,622 households under the umbrella of the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan, the city’s comprehensive strategy to tackle and eradicate homelessness. The team works tirelessly to intervene early, supporting people to access settled accommodation as quickly as possible, to reduce the number of people sleeping rough and to create better outcomes for tenants.
Our Housing Emergency Action Plan (HEAP) sets out clear actions to reduce the number of households without settled accommodation and to ease the strain on those most affected by the crisis.
I’m pleased to say we’re making progress in meeting our targets and our continued work to increase affordable housing supply and provide vital support to those at risk of homelessness is beginning to make a real difference.
However, we know this challenge cannot be solved by one organisation alone. A city-wide response is essential. I call on partners across the city from housing associations and charities to community groups, businesses and public services to join us in this collective effort.
Grant funding is critical in the delivery of affordable homes. Whilst we welcome the additional monies that Edinburgh has received over the last few years from the Scottish Government, more is required to truly address the housing emergency. I will not hesitate in advocating to the Scottish Government for Edinburgh to receive both its fair share of affordable housing funding and the investment necessary to tackle its pressing housing needs.
Long term plans like our ambitious housebuilding programme, efforts to acquire new homes directly from providers and bringing empty homes back into use aim to increase our quality housing stock, minimising the need for temporary accommodation.
These kinds of developments give me real encouragement that, while the housing strain can seem bleak, we’re doing everything we can to find solutions and provide residents with the quality of life they deserve. I’m ready for that challenge and look forward to working closely with colleagues and partners across the city to take it on.
This article first appeared in Edinburgh Evening News
People with lived experience of homelessness are uniting with dozens of leading organisations to demand urgent action on Scotland’s worsening housing crisis.
Their joint manifesto will be launched today at Scotland’s Annual Homelessness Conference, hosted by Homeless Network Scotland, on 27 and 28 October in Perth.
It calls on all political parties to commit to a programme of housing justice that will ensure everyone in Scotland has a safe, secure place to call home.
The scale of the crisis has been laid bare in recent statistics, with more than 17,200 households currently trapped in temporary accommodation, a 6% increase in one year, including over 10,000 children.
Nearly 250,000 people are on waiting lists for a social home, and 40,688 households have applied to their local council for help with homelessness last year. On average, those in temporary accommodation wait 238 days for a settled home.
The call comes from members of Everyone Home, a collective of nearly 40 third and academic sector organisations focused on ending homelessness, and All In for Change, a platform that unites lived experience and practitioner insight of homelessness across Scotland to enable decision-makers to drive real change.
All in for Change said: “In the Change Team, we see every day how the housing emergency hurts people who are homeless and those trying to help them. Frontline workers do amazing work, but they’re trapped in a broken system with too little housing and support to fix it.
“Some of us have been homeless ourselves, so we know the reality first-hand. But we believe this can be made better for others, with real political commitment and funding being used more wisely.
“We’ve laid out clear expectations for party manifestos, and we’ll keep pushing to shield people from the worst of homelessness in this housing emergency.”
Set almost 18 months after Scotland’s housing emergency was formally declared, the manifesto outlines a practical, values-led approach to resolving a crisis that continues to deepen inequality and exclusion.
It sets out five priority actions for the next Scottish Government, under the banner of SCALE. It calls for the launch of a national ‘Big Build’ programme to dramatically increase the supply of social housing, with a target of nearly 16,000 new homes each year of the next parliament backed by at least £8.8bn.
The manifesto urges political leaders to coordinate support services more effectively, so that housing is fully integrated with health, social care and justice to ensure no-one falls through the cracks.
It demands that public funding decisions align with housing priorities, including the use of tax powers and long-term investment plans that can give frontline workers and those they support greater certainty.
It insists that housing rights must be protected and fully resourced, warning that too many local authorities are currently struggling to meet their legal obligations.
Finally, it calls for fast-track housing and support for groups facing systemic exclusion, including people affected by poverty, discrimination, trauma, gender-based violence and UK immigration policy.
Maggie Brünjes, chief executive, Homeless Network Scotland, said: “Scotland’s housing emergency is a plan gone wrong, driving homelessness and deepening inequality. To reverse this, we must invest in more social housing, higher incomes, proactive prevention and support that is fully integrated across health, housing, justice and social care.
“The Everyone Home collective manifesto is a plan to put that right and a call for Housing Justice. Combining first-hand, professional and academic insight, the manifesto outlines real-world measures to reduce inefficient spending, prevent the worst harm among the worst off, and scale solutions for a Scotland where everyone has a home.”
The manifesto launch will take place at Scotland’s Annual Homelessness Conference, this year titled ‘It’s Personal: the human face of the housing emergency’.
The two-day event will shine a light on the real-world, human impact of the crisis, through people with lived experience, advocates and experts sharing knowledge and practical ideas to deliver lasting change.
Helen Murdoch, Asst. Director of Strategic Operations & Development (Scotland) at conference delivery partner The Salvation Army, said: “This year’s conference takes place in the shadow of a housing and homelessness crisis that tests our compassion, our resources and our collective resolve.
“The demand for services that support people experiencing homelessness is far outstripping supply – that must change and change quickly. Conference is an opportunity to explore our role in bringing about that change and The Salvation Army is proud to be an event partner.
“It is also a time to look beyond the headlines and statistics, to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary courage and resilience of teams working in communities, the third sector, local authorities and religious bodies to support people experiencing homelessness.”
Keynote speakers include Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan MSP, who will address the event, renowned children’s rights campaigner and author Baroness Floella Benjamin, and rising social justice advocate Eireann McAuley, named one of the Young Women’s Movement’s ‘30 under 30′.
Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE said: “Having a safe and secure home is the key building block for living a happy and fulfilling life, yet today that basic human need is being denied to too many people. The impact on them is heartbreaking.
“All it takes is the grit, perseverance and determination to face the challenges and to keep on pushing for positive change. There is no shortage of people willing to fight this fight and I support all those who are working to change people’s lives.
“When I address Scotland’s annual homelessness conference I hope to energise and inspire the audience, to bring them joy amid the struggle. I want to remind people that even though it sometimes doesn’t feel like it, the work they do every day can and does change lives. So never give up.”
The launch marks the start of a national conversation aimed at ensuring housing and homelessness are top-tier priorities ahead of the 2026 election.
