Social Bite is a social enterprise that runs cafes throughout Scotland to help homeless people. One in four of their staff have experienced homelessness, homeless people can access free food from their branches and now, in collaboration with the Cyrenians they are just about to launch an eco-village in Granton.
I was delighted to be part of a tour round the village and was very impressed by what I saw. The site includes 11 tiny two bedroom houses, all made to very high energy efficiency standards and built to last 100 years.
A Hub in the centre of the village offers laundry facilities and a social space for residents to gather. Workshops and classes will be held in the Hub.
The area is planted up with shrubs and flowers and there are bird feeders too so the whole area feels very green.
Residents will start moving into the village from next month. Every resident will be fully supported for a period of 12-18 months to help them get back on their feet, access training and education from nearby Edinburgh College and take up work placements.
Meanwhile there’s still time to book a tour of the village before residents start moving in. You can find out more here, but hurry as places are booking up fast!