News | Posted 21 May 2024
At the heart of the community: the village hub
The Social Bite Village offers more than just housing. Central to its vibrant community environment is the hub, a large communal building where residents, volunteers and staff build positive relationships, gather for meals, socialising, and support.
Why the hub is so important to the Village model
Bed and breakfast facilities are widely used as emergency temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness. It’s both a costly and ineffective use of resources.
Social Bite’s Head of Service, Marzena Farana-Sherlock, explains. “We know that most temporary accommodation is unsuitable, which means that often people can’t have visitors, or pets; they have limited access to cooking facilities, are unable to socialise, and might not receive any support. If a person wants to get a job, they face high rent charges for temporary accommodation, which they simply can’t afford.
“All these elements negatively impact on a person’s wellbeing. It can increase their sense of isolation and decrease their resilience, so they become stuck in a cycle of homelessness. With limited opportunities to build life skills, people then struggle when they move into settled accommodation.”
In contrast, the Social Bite Village creates an environment that supports a sense of belonging and co-creation. The hub serves as a catalyst for community building and personal development. There’s a large kitchen and shared living space, with access to books, television and musical instruments, alongside the staff office. Through mutual support and shared experiences, residents can learn from each other and become self-sufficient. They can develop skills, rebuild trust, and regain confidence.
The hub is designed with residents in mind
The first Social Bite Village in Granton, Edinburgh, was built in 2018. It’s run day-to-day by Cyrenians, an Edinburgh-based charity dedicated to tackling the causes and consequences of homelessness. The support provided by Cyrenians staff emphasises autonomy and equips individuals with the tools they need to thrive independently in the long term. Residents have control over their lives and are encouraged to take responsibility for their futures.
Andy Murdoch, Service Manager for Cyrenians Communities (pictured above), has seen the positive impact of the hub’s supportive community environment over the years.
“It takes more than a roof over your head to make a home. The more you have positive, supportive relationships in your life, the easier it is to build more. The more you are trusted to make your own decisions, in ways that work for you and your community, the more you learn how to do that. The central community hub is the space that supports people to be able to cope and to move on to a permanent home.”
The feeling is echoed by residents like M., who lived at the Edinburgh Village between 2021 and 2023. He recalls many activities run in the hub – an art group, a music group, woodwork classes. When the Scottish weather allowed for it, there might be a BBQ on the deck outside. Of time spent in the community hub he said, “there were a lot of positive experiences. The memories put a smile on my face.”
Another resident reflected, ‘‘just going into the hub makes me feel less isolated.”
Keeping the hub at the heart of two new villages
Social Bite will begin building two new villages in Dundee and South Lanarkshire later this year. As well as modern, sustainable homes, there will be a community hub surrounded by beautiful landscaping as the welcoming centre of each village.
Social Bite is extremely grateful to Scotmid for funding the new hub building at the South Lanarkshire Village.
“We strongly believe in supporting the communities we serve,” said Lynne Ogg, Scotmid Head of Membership and Community Engagement. “Our commitment to this extends to the heart of the Social Bite Village project in South Lanarkshire. The village will make a tangible difference in people’s lives, and we’re proud to play a role in fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment for those affected by homelessness.”
As a central space in each village, the hub will bring residents together to foster human connection and empower personal growth. Complete with a communal kitchen, recreational spaces, counselling rooms, outdoor decking and exercise facilities, the hub will host activities focused on socialisation and personal growth through skills training.
The hub is just one aspect of a Social Bite Village that distinguishes the model from traditional temporary accommodation, like hostels or bed and breakfasts. Find out more about the Dundee and South Lanarkshire villages, or donate to give the gift of home today.