Leading homelessness charity, Social Bite, is returning to London with its Festival of Kindness campaign, and this year will host its own free Christmas meal for the first time for people who may otherwise be alone and hungry during the festive period.
In its fifth year, Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness initiative is back with its 10m-high twinkling tree at the Strand. The charity is calling on kind-hearted Londoners to donate gifts, meals and essential items to people who need it most during this time of year. Social Bite will also host two Christmas meals on 23rd December, offering festive support to people identified through local charity partners as vulnerable or affected by homelessness.
Since 2021, Social Bite has funded free Christmas dinners and lunches through charity partners in the city, but this year will also hold its own for 40 vulnerable people with partner Mitchells & Butlers. The menu will consist of festive favourites and all the trimmings, plus crackers and a gift to open, thanks to the kindness of Londoners.
The Festival of Kindness Tree, a symbol of goodwill in the city, returns this year just outside the beautiful Clermont Hotel, providing a place to donate toys, essential items, and Christmas meals to people who are vulnerable or experiencing homelessness in London and beyond, including families with children in temporary accommodation. Social Bite is on a mission to raise 300,000 donations to help spread joy and ease the challenges many face during the festive season.
As the homelessness emergency continues across the country, Social Bite is shining a light on the multiple heartbreaking ways people can be affected. Often associated with rough sleeping, homelessness is so much more. Sleeping in cars, insecure housing, temporary accommodation and sofa surfing are all aspects of the country-wide issue which are often less visible and under-represented.
These circumstances are unfit and often dangerous to live in, leaving people facing challenges which can be overlooked and leave them isolated from society. People living in temporary accommodation may not have sufficient heating, space to socialise, or a place to cook or eat – on any day, let alone at Christmas. People who are sofa surfing with friends or family can find themselves alone on the streets over Christmas as the added social and financial pressures of the season make temporary stays unsustainable and they are priced into homelessness.
Founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said: “Every year, the need for donations of all kinds grows in line with the increasing number of people who find themselves in a position of homelessness. The Festival of Kindness is a way to provide more people with a hot meal and much-needed shelter over Christmas. It’s a way to show care and compassion, by donating the things we so often take for granted, such as a Christmas dinner, warm winter clothing, toys for kids, or a SIM card, so someone can keep in touch with their loved ones.
“This year we are offering our own free Christmas meal to build on the services we already fund with our brilliant partners across the city. We would love to encourage as many Londoners as possible to come along to our Tree of Kindness to donate a gift from the wish list or to pay forward a Christmas dinner for people who need it most.”
Social Bite, working closely with people it supports, has created a wishlist of items that make the biggest difference at this time of year, including warm gloves, hot water bottles, torches, good quality socks, and toys or winter clothing for children to open on Christmas morning.
Anyone wishing to take part can donate a gift in person at the Social Bite Tree of Kindness, or virtually via Social Bite’s website. Just £28 could provide someone experiencing homelessness with a hot Christmas meal, a gift, a bundle of essential items, and a safe place to sleep for the night. Supporters can also donate specific items, such as a pack of warm gloves for £10, or toys and clothing for children for £100.
As well as the tree located on the Strand outside of The Clermont Hotel, four other Trees of Kindness will been installed across the UK – including in Birmingham for the first time:
Birmingham – New Street Station, outside All Bar One
Glasgow – Vinicombe Street
Edinburgh – St Andrew Square
Aberdeen – outside the Bon Accord Centre
To donate virtually or find out more, visit: Social-Bite.co.uk/Festival-Of-Kindness
