Josh Littlejohn MBE is a leading social entrepreneur and Sunday Times best-selling author.
Josh began his career as a social entrepreneur when he co-founded Social Bite, a social enterprise with a mission to end homelessness. Social Bite started as a small chain of sandwich shops that began offering jobs and free food to homeless people.
The cafes shot to global fame when Hollywood A-lister George Clooney visited an outlet in Edinburgh in 2015. Another Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio then visited the social enterprise in 2016. Social Bite now employs over 75 people, many from a background of homelessness; and gives out over 200,000 items of food each year to homeless and vulnerable people through a network of cafes across the UK.
In May 2018, Josh and his team launched an innovative accommodation project for homeless people in Edinburgh called the Social Bite Village, welcoming their first residents later that year. The Village comprises of 11 prefabricated wooden houses with gardens and a community hub, built on vacant land. The project offers a home to vulnerable homeless people for between 1 and 3 years, during which time they are provided with extensive support in a community environment where residents learn new skills and get their life back on track.y
This project combined with a nationwide ‘Housing First’ project that Social Bite created in partnership with the Scottish Government has resulted in over 1000 homeless people being housed in Scotland.
In May 2019, alongside Will Smith and Dame Helen Mirren, Josh launched a global campaign: “The World’s Big Sleepout”. The campaign staged ‘sleep out’ fundraising events in over 52 cities throughout the world including Times Square, New York and Trafalgar Square, London. 60,000 people slept out in unison in the world’s largest display of solidarity for homeless and displaced people, and raised funds for charities all over the world.
Josh is also the co-founder of Brewgooder, a social enterprise brewery that sells beer and donates proceeds to fund clean water projects in Africa. Josh has so far raised over £25 million for charity and homelessness causes.
In 2023, Josh released his debut book entitled “Paying it Forward: How to be a social entrepreneur”, which debuted at number 7 on the Sunday Times Best Sellers chart.
Josh has received an MBE from the Queen, which he dedicated to the homeless and marginalized. He has received a Pride of Britain Award, a Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, 5 honorary doctorates and he also made the Debrett’s list of 500 most influential people in the UK.
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Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in East Renfrewshire? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Calling all dino fans... join an interactive adventure to save Volcano Island from an erupting volcano and meet incredible life-like dinosaurs when Dinosaur Adventure Live comes to Giffnock!
READ MOREThe King of the Waltz, Andre Rieu, invites you to his all-new cinema concert for 2024 'Power of Love', from his beautiful hometown of Maastricht!
READ MOREJoin Eastwood Park Theatre on Tuesday 3rd September as they host their very first Cantonese Opera Concert!
READ MOREAs part of their Scotland Inspires series, join Eastwood Park Theatre as they welcome Dr David Hamilton to talk about his inspirational practice and answer your questions.
READ MOREEnjoy a screening of Mozart's great comic opera of intrigue, misunderstanding and forgiveness, The Marriage of Figaro at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREJay Lafferty brings her smash hit, five star, Edinburgh Fringe sell out show Bahookie to Eastwood Park Theatre on Saturday 14th September!
READ MORETheatre Guild Glasgow are delighted to return to Eastwood Park Theatre in September with their next musical production, the timeless classic Singin' in the Rain!
READ MOREQue Sera Sera is a magnificent show that pays homage to one of Hollywood's greatest stars – Doris Day, don't miss it at Eastwood Park Theatre on Sunday 22nd September!
READ MOREThis uniquely Scottish adaptation of Treasure Island at Eastwood Park Theatre featuring live music is perfect for pirates, landlubbers, and the whole family!
READ MOREA top night of stand up lands at Eastwood Park Theatre this September, with a stellar line up you won’t want to miss including headline act, Reginald D Hunter!
READ MOREMatt Smith and Morfydd Clark star in this highly anticipated adaptation of Andrew Michael Hurley's popular folk horror novel, Starve Acre!
READ MORECome and enjoy this evening of conversation with this Celtic Legend where Neil Lennon reflects on his career highs and lows, and also participates in our audience Q&A.
READ MOREAs the USA heads to the polls, join award-winning travel writer, public speaker, and filmmaker Simon Parker for a night of adventure at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MORECelebrating over 30 years on the road, Buddy Holly and the Cricketers bring a night of infectious energy and signature 1950's rockabilly sounds to Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREThe Minerva Club will bring Sister Act, the feel-amazing musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film, to Eastwood Park Theatre in October!
READ MOREThis Family History Workshop, led by experienced genealogist Lorna Kinnaird, PGDip, ASGRA, FSA Scot, will give you the skills and knowledge you need to begin your family history research!
READ MOREThis course led by an experienced genealogist will get you started on carrying out a house history in Scotland and will get you accessing some pretty amazing records!
READ MOREEastwood Park Theatre has announced 'An Intimate Evening With Martin Fry' on Sunday 13th October!
READ MOREThe Royal Ballet & Opera House Live presents Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - an encore screening of the adaptation of Lewis Carroll's famous story at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREEveryone's favourite children's theatre company The McDougalls return to Eastwood Park Theatre with a spook-tacular new stage show for all the family!
READ MOREFeaturing storytelling, music and Scot's ballads, The Forgotten Orchard brings to life Scotland's rich orchard heritage and celebrates diversity, home grown food and the joy of harvest!
READ MOREThe Seeger Sessions Revival are a 13-piece band reviving the spirit, energy and musical exuberance that was Bruce Springsteen's Seeger Sessions album and live shows!
READ MOREThis half day course is ideal for those who have completed House History for Beginners, or who already have some experience in house history research but would like to learn more.
READ MOREThis half day course is ideal for those who have completed Family History for Beginners, or who already have some experience in family history research but would like to learn more.
READ MOREGiffnock Theatre Players present The Women of Lockerbie, which explores the grief and lasting impact left in the wake of the crash.
READ MOREJoin Cosgrove Care for a big band evening at Eastwood Park Theatre on Sunday 27th October featuring That Swing Sensation!
READ MOREEastwood Park Theatre has announced a unique show with the Queen of the West End, Kerry Ellis!
READ MOREEastwood Park Theatre are delighted to team up with Spillers Pantomimes to present a GIANT of a show: Jack and the Beanstalk – the Panto you've all BEAN waiting for!
READ MOREEurope's number one country music tribute show, The Legends of American Country, returns to Eastwood Park Theatre for another fantastic night of toe tapping Country classics!
READ MOREWest End star Kelly O'Brien performs the beloved hits of country legend Dolly Parton, brilliantly recreating the vitality and voice of the little lady from Tennessee, at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREFor one night, you get to experience what it would've been like to witness The King of Rock 'n' Roll live in the flesh, when Ben Thompson Live As Elvis comes to Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREEastwood Park Theatre will host a special event featuring Mark Cox and Jane McCarry, best known for their iconic roles as Tam and Isa in the hit comedy series Still Game!
READ MOREPrepare to hear Aled Jones as you've never heard him before when he brings his Full Circle tour to Eastwood Park Theatre on Saturday 12th April!
READ MORELiverpool singer-songwriter John Power will explore his extraordinary career in this acoustic-based show featuring hits alongside tales of the band's wild and successful Britpop years!
READ MOREJive Talkin are not simply another Bee Gees Tribute Band, they are THE very best Bee Gees Tribute Band catch them when they return to Eastwood Park Theatre on Saturday 5th July!
READ MORECalling all dino fans... join an interactive adventure to save Volcano Island from an erupting volcano and meet incredible life-like dinosaurs when Dinosaur Adventure Live comes to Giffnock!
READ MOREEnjoy a screening of Mozart's great comic opera of intrigue, misunderstanding and forgiveness, The Marriage of Figaro at Eastwood Park Theatre!
READ MOREEastwood Entertainers are excited to announce 'A Prosecco, A Play & A Party' a spectacular fundraiser event being held on the 13th and 14th of September at Clarkston Halls!
READ MORETheatre Guild Glasgow are delighted to return to Eastwood Park Theatre in September with their next musical production, the timeless classic Singin' in the Rain!
READ MOREQue Sera Sera is a magnificent show that pays homage to one of Hollywood's greatest stars – Doris Day, don't miss it at Eastwood Park Theatre on Sunday 22nd September!
READ MOREThis uniquely Scottish adaptation of Treasure Island at Eastwood Park Theatre featuring live music is perfect for pirates, landlubbers, and the whole family!
READ MORECome and enjoy this evening of conversation with this Celtic Legend where Neil Lennon reflects on his career highs and lows, and also participates in our audience Q&A.
READ MOREAs the USA heads to the polls, join award-winning travel writer, public speaker, and filmmaker Simon Parker for a night of adventure at Eastwood Park Theatre!
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