The issue
In 2023, there were 1,172 drug misuse deaths registered in Scotland, an increase of 12% (121 deaths) compared with 2022. This escalation has been ongoing since 2000, with the rate of drug misuse deaths 4.2 times as high in 2023 than in 2000.
In fact, Scotland’s drug death rate is still more than three times higher than the next worst-affected European country.
The human toll is profound. Behind each statistic lies individual and familial suffering with communities losing loved ones. Deprivation exacerbates the crisis, with those in the poorest areas 16 times more likely to die from drug misuse.
The lack of dedicated residential recovery facilities in Dundee is a major gap. People needing recovery treatment must leave their community, often worsening isolation and disconnection. Removed from support networks, the road to recovery becomes even more difficult. Residential rehabilitation is a vital piece of addressing Dundee’s substance crisis. Enabling access to high-quality local treatment, integrated with community-based care, can save and transform lives.
Our solution: The Bill Sword Social Bite Recovery Village, Dundee
The Bill Sword Social Bite Recovery Village will bring a dedicated, state-of-the art, Residential Recovery facility for vulnerable people struggling with addiction in Dundee.
Because we know that deprivation exacerbates the addiction crisis, with those in the poorest areas 16 times more likely to die from drug misuse, the project will be focused on supporting vulnerable people who could not afford to pay for private residential rehabilitation services.
This will be a compassionate community, with 10 modern, sustainable modular homes, a 10 bedroom communal accommodation facility, as well as a vibrant community hub, all surrounded by beautiful landscaping. The hub will encourage socialising, and empower personal growth through skills training, recovery services and personalised support. Tranquil outdoor spaces will enrich relaxation, and wellbeing and exercise facilities will be available for all community members.
Most importantly, this will be a sanctuary where vulnerable individuals on the journey of recovery can rebuild and transform their lives while living in a supportive community with others on a similar journey. Social Bite will be partnering with a local addiction recovery support provider to provide structured drug and alcohol addiction recovery programmes on site with holistic support and community. With dedicated expert support, the village will empower residents to gain independence and sustain recovery.
Help us build the recovery village
Donations of all sizes will help bring the village to life. You can be part of creating a pioneering community that transforms lives in Dundee and beyond.
The support model
The Bill Sword Social Bite Recovery Village provides a pioneering, dignity-focused solution. Working in partnership, Social Bite plans to develop a tailored support model for the Dundee project.
Our aim is to build a hybrid residential recovery village, blending residential recovery facilities with recovery housing. Residents will progress through a programme that will comprise two distinct phases. We intend to develop a structured addiction recovery programme within a therapeutic community setting, and we’ll go out to tender for an onsite support delivery partner for this.
Our chosen partner will have expertise in delivering the therapeutic, psychosocial element of the service, while Social Bite will provide site management. Working hand-in-hand, together we’ll provide a range of health and social care services to support community members in their recovery.
Onsite staff and volunteers will deliver 24/7 support and services. A keyworker will provide guidance throughout a resident’s journey, enabling residents to gradually gain independence. Aftercare continues for 12 months after move-on.
Housing design
The 10 single-occupancy homes and the vibrant community hub with communal accommodation will exemplify Social Bite’s and Dundee City’s dedication to dignified high-quality design. Developed and manufactured by Ecosystems Technologies, these modular Nest Houses will provide residents with a peaceful, private living space. We believe that providing a beautiful and extremely high-quality home for residents to live in while they are at the village can have a profoundly positive psychological impact.
Constructed from locally sourced timber, the sustainable units feature stylish interiors and home comforts. Large windows draw in natural light, while green walkways connect residents to the community hub and tranquil outdoor spaces.
Community Hub
The vibrant community hub will be the welcoming heart of the Village.
This central space 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 personal development, training and recovery services. By gathering to share meals, socialise and access support under one roof, a culture of community and belonging will flourish. Residents will be surrounded by those who understand their journey, providing a unifying foundation.
Honouring Bill Sword
Social Bite have received a funding pledge towards the majority of this expected outlay – with a funding commitment of £1.5 Million from the WM Sword Trust towards the construction of the project. As such, the Dundee Social Bite Village will be named ‘The Bill Sword Social Bite Recovery Village’ in honour of the late William ‘Bill’ Sword – an inspirational Dundee businessman and philanthropist.
Beyond business, he contributed greatly to Dundee through roles such as Justice of the Peace and becoming Dundee’s first lay Sheriff. In 1999 he set up the WM Sword Charitable Trust with the purpose of helping disadvantaged people in and around Dundee. Since then the trust has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to local charities. It was always Bill’s dream, however, that in addition to supporting these smaller organisations, that he would be able to bring about change on a larger scale in Dundee. Following Bill’s death, the trustees made it their mission to realise his dream. Having long been inspired by the work of Social Bite and in particular their village in Edinburgh, the trustees recognised the impact such a project could have in Dundee and in particular, if focused towards a programme of addiction recovery. They unanimously agreed to pledge £1.5m to build a Residential Recovery Village in Dundee.
The WM Sword trustees say that Bill would be very proud to see his legacy being used in this way, to help vulnerable people in the city with this acute need. In addition to WM Sword Charitable Trust’s funding pledge, Dundee-based Insights Learning and Development have also committed £100,000 and Tay Charitable Trust has committed £50,000 to the project and we are currently seeking further donations and pro-bono support to bring the project to life.
How you can help
The budgeted cost of construction is £1.96m including pro-bono support from build partners.
Thanks to the incredible £1.5 million contribution from the WM Sword Charitable Trust, an additional £100,000 from Insights Learning and Development, and outstanding generosity from across Dundee and beyond, the Bill Sword Social Bite Recovery Village is well on its way to becoming a reality. However, you can still be part of creating a pioneering community that transforms lives in Dundee and beyond. Donations of all sizes will help bring the village to life.
If you would like to donate, please click the donate button below.
If you’re an organisation that would like to donate their services towards the construction of the project please contact partnerships@social-bite.co.uk.
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