A decade ago, but still fresh in our minds
Actor, humanitarian and all-round nice guy George Clooney recently returned to Scotland to take part in two events supporting Social Bite. It inevitably brought fresh attention to our work on ending homelessness – and took us right back to a moment that everyone still asks us about! The A-list visit was also a reminder of what can happen when big voices back practical solutions.
On a chilly November morning in 2015, George stopped by the Social Bite coffee shop on Rose Street. He met team members including people with lived experience of homelessness, took a few selfies with the crowd outside, and casually dropped $1,000 into the Pay It Forward jar! It’s something Josh and the team will never forget.
Our wee coffee shop was swarming with press and mobbed by excited fans. Major news outlets around the world picked up the story. And the idea that ordinary people can take practical action on homelessness travelled far beyond Edinburgh.
A moment that builds momentum
Back then, Social Bite was still just a young social enterprise with a big idea. Today, we’ve evolved into much more. One reason we’ve been able to make so much progress is the ripple effect of George’s first visit.
Because when someone like George Clooney shows up at your door, everyone knows about it. The coverage meant that more people heard about our mission to end homelessness. Millions could start to understand that something like creating jobs with dignity can make a real difference. Suddenly, doors began opening for the partnerships and backing that let solutions like our villages grow at pace.
That’s why George’s recent return to Scotland to support Social Bite at the Gleneagles Gala and the British Business Awards wasn’t just a “pinch us” moment, it was a real boost for the movement. On stage, George spoke of how impressed he was that 11 years on, not only had we been able to sustain our work, but our impact grown massively. He seemed especially impressed by our sustainable, affordable village model. We were beaming when he told guests, “it’s just smart.”
So… what happens next?
It wasn’t just George: we also had Rob Brydon and Bob Geldof visit Harriet Gardens, the Social Bite Village in Rutherglen, in the same week. They met with residents outside their beautiful wooden homes and learned firsthand about the supportive village model.
Visits like this create a chain reaction. A headline becomes a conversation. A conversation becomes a new supporter. And that support turns into real-world change, helping people move away from homelessness for good.
And YOU can be part of that change! If you’ve got a minute, share this story, talk about the cause, donate or fundraise, and help to keep building momentum towards ending homelessness.
