Matthew Algie Joins the Fight Against Student Homelessness
October 22nd, 2024 | Case Studies
We’ve always believed coffee is more than just a drink; it’s an opportunity to create lasting change. From supporting sustainable farming to championing social causes, we’re committed to making a positive impact. Today, we’re addressing a growing issue affecting students across the UK: the rise of student homelessness.
Amidst the cost-of-living crisis, a new report has revealed a shortage of over 25,000 student bed spaces in Scotland. This shortage is hitting students from low-income backgrounds, international students, and estranged students hardest. At risk are those who don’t have financial safety nets, leading many to face housing insecurity, and in some cases, homelessness.
The Crisis at Hand
The “Student Housing Options and Experiences of Homelessness in Scotland” report, co-authored by universities and housing bodies, paints a stark picture. Cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee are facing severe student housing shortages. According to the National Union of Students (NUS), one in ten students have experienced homelessness, and over 20% of international students in Scotland have faced housing instability.
The situation is particularly difficult for students like Comfort, a master’s student from Ghana, who arrived in Scotland unaware she was considered homeless. After months of struggling to find stable accommodation, Social Bite’s Jobs First programme helped her find work and secure a place to live. Her story is a powerful reminder that behind the statistics are real people—students trying to balance their studies while coping with the very real threat of homelessness.
Matthew Algie and Social Bite: Brewing Change Together
As part of our partnership with Social Bite, we’re proud to support their mission to end homelessness. This collaboration has a direct impact, especially in education. Social Bite cafes, now on campuses like the University of Strathclyde, let students buy coffee that helps those experiencing homelessness. With every cup of Matthew Algie’s Elevator blend sold, 10% of profits go to Social Bite’s work.
We’re not just brewing great coffee — we’re raising awareness and changing lives. The Pay It Forward system in Social Bite cafes allows students and customers to donate a coffee or meal to someone in need, ensuring help is close by.
How We Can All Help
While we’re doing our part, we believe that real change requires collective action. Here’s how you can help:
You can make an impact on student homelessness by donating to charities like Social Bite, where your support provides emergency housing, financial advice, and job support. Volunteering is another powerful way to assist, as charities always need help with operations, mentoring, or fundraising. Raising awareness about student homelessness is also crucial — by sharing information, you can highlight the issue, encourage involvement, and reduce stigma.
Social Bite founder, Josh Littlejohn, has been vocal about the need for greater financial support and systemic changes to address the student housing crisis. He’s calling for rent controls on purpose-built student accommodation and more financial aid for vulnerable students, like estranged students who need year-round grants. Littlejohn has also emphasised the need for guarantor services and easing work restrictions on international students, which would help them manage their living expenses more effectively. Together, we can tackle the crisis. With every coffee purchased at a Social Bite cafe, we’re helping fund vital initiatives to provide housing and jobs to homeless people. And by working together, businesses, universities, and charities can play an even bigger role in supporting students.
Thank you for reading our blog! If you’re interested in partnering with Matthew Algie and Social Bite to support their mission to tackle student homelessness and make a lasting impact, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team—we’d love to hear from you!
