We at Social Bite don’t want to see any women “slipping through the net” which is why we are dedicated to building a strong network of support services geared to the specific and particular needs of women in Scotland.
International Women’s Day last Thursday highlighted the importance of safe meeting spaces to allow women to relax, celebrate and enjoy each other’s company.
At our Rose Street Café in Edinburgh women gathered to hear the development of Social Bite from the feminine perspective through a presentation from our co-founder Alice Thompson who also praised co-founder Josh and her partner Jamie as she spoke about the importance of strong nurturing relationships and partnerships in every day life.
It is a message Social Bite has translated into community level when it comes to dealing with vulnerable women. The importance of a safe space is addressed by weekly Social Suppers, specifically for women. Within that space the development of dignity and self respect is encouraged through positive partnerships with businesses and community organisations such as the NHS which provides information on sexual health and free screening, Lush which offers regular pampering sessions for homeless women, digital drop-in which encourages women to become technically savvy in order to connect with social and employment networks and a number of fitness organisations, such as Street Fit who want to encourage women to respect their health and their bodies.
Crucially this month a new partnership has been formed with Victim Support who will introduce their range of services at Women’s Suppers, Rose Street on March 28.
A Women’s only event is similarly provided every Tuesday by Social Bite in Glasgow at which regular features are bingo and haircuts! It is all about supporting confidence and wellbeing.
Organisations such as Rape Crisis has offered support as well as LifeLink who ran a taster mindfulness session.
All women who feel they could benefit from the support of Social Suppers in Glasgow or Edinburgh are warmly invited to come along. We have a number of women volunteers, some of whom have lived experience of homelessness and we offer a safe, welcoming and supportive environment as well as tea, coffee and food.