Perth-based society honours homelessness entrepreneurs

Leaders at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) have presented the group’s highest accolade to Josh Littlejohn and Alice Thompson, co-founders of not-for-profit restaurant chain Social Bite.

The Livingstone Medal was given in recognition of their contribution to tackling homelessness and raising the profile of the issue in Scotland.

Social Bite began in 2012 as a small sandwich chain in Edinburgh. Profits are used to buy meals for homeless people.

High-profile Social Bite events – supported by the likes of George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio – have moved homelessness up the political agenda in Scotland.

Mike Robinson, chief executive of the RSGS, said: “Over the past six years, Social Bite has helped improve the fortunes of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“Through the offer of free food, training, jobs and accommodation they have helped break the cycle of exclusion faced by many homeless people, and done it in a way which provides respect and protects their dignity.

“Through the continued success of Social Bite, Josh and Alice have done much to promote national solutions to homelessness and forced us all to reconsider our own – and our society’s – response to this ongoing issue.”

Ms Thompson said:“To be awarded the RSGS Livingstone Medal is an incredible honour – and one I could have never predicted six years ago when at 3am we realised we had not yet programmed the till in order to open the first Social Bite store at 6am! It’s particularly special to be recognised as the lesser known, younger and female co-founder of Social Bite.”