Volunteer with Social Bite
Be part of the movement to end homelessness
Our amazing volunteers help thousands of people affected by homelessness every year to feel seen, supported and part of a community. From serving tea and coffee at our free food services to sparking conversations at our social suppers and sorting gifts for our Christmas campaign, there are lots of ways to make a tangible impact. All while learning new skills and feeling more connected to each other.
If you’re interested in volunteering with us, we’d love to hear from you. Please complete the form below and we will be in touch with any relevant opportunities.
“There are lots of enjoyable things about volunteering with Social Bite”
Build skills, confidence and community
Volunteering with Social Bite helps you build practical skills in communication and teamwork, whilst meeting people from all walks of life. Volunteers often tell us how their confidence has grown thanks to taking on new responsibilities and seeing the impact they’re making. This is a chance to become part of a welcoming community of staff, volunteers and guests who look out for each other and share a commitment to ending homelessness.
How do I apply to be a Social Bite Volunteer?
Tell us how you’d like to volunteer
Use the form to let us know if you’re applying as an individual or on behalf of your workplace, so we can match you with the right type of opportunity (from regular coffee shop shifts to one‑off corporate activities).
Hear from our Volunteer Coordinator
Once you’ve submitted the form, we’ll get in touch to explain what’s currently available, discuss your availability and any requirements, and suggest the best options for you or your team.
Complete your volunteer onboarding
If you’re taking on a regular role, we’ll ask you to fill in a volunteer application form and provide two references; after that, we’ll invite you to an induction and any training you need before you get started.
Our volunteering culture
Frequently asked questions
We currently have volunteers at coffee shops during our free food services in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow. Volunteering at Social Bite Villages is run by our partners.
Festival of Kindness Christmas-time roles are typically based in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, London and Birmingham.
We’re mostly looking for ongoing volunteers who want to support Social Bite’s work on a regular basis; this helps to build meaningful relationships with the people who use our services.
If you’re not able to make an ongoing commitment, our annual Christmas campaign — Festival of Kindness — is a great opportunity to get a taste of volunteering with Social Bite.
We ask most volunteers for our free food services to come along regularly — once a week or every other week, for example. Shifts are Monday-Friday in the morning or late afternoon, lasting around three hours.
During our Festival of Kindness, we have set shift lengths at our Christmas trees in cities across the UK. For other roles (sorting, wrapping, and delivering presents, for example), there’s more flexibility.
Yes. You must be 18 or over to volunteer with Social Bite.