Josh Littlejohn – The Social Entrepreneur Who Turned Compassion into Global Change
How a Scottish visionary built Social Bite and inspired a worldwide movement to end homelessness
Introduction
Josh Littlejohn MBE is one of the United Kingdom’s most inspiring and innovative social entrepreneurs. Best known as the founder of Social Bite, he has redefined how businesses can serve humanity. Through his tireless efforts, Littlejohn transformed a single café in Edinburgh into an international movement addressing homelessness, hunger, and poverty. His journey reflects the power of empathy, purpose, and sustainable business innovation.
His story is not just about success—it’s about challenging systems, empowering people, and proving that kindness, when combined with action, can change the world.
Quick Bio
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Josh Littlejohn |
| Date of Birth | 16 September 1986 |
| Age (2025) | 39 years |
| Birthplace | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Nationality | Scottish (British) |
| Education | Politics and Economics, University of Edinburgh |
| Occupation | Social Entrepreneur, Author, Campaigner |
| Known For | Founder of Social Bite, The World’s Big Sleep Out, and Brewgooder |
| Honor | MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) 2017 |
Early Life and Education
Josh Littlejohn was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he developed a deep sense of responsibility toward society from a young age. His education at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied Politics and Economics, gave him a strong understanding of how social systems and economic policies shape people’s lives. During his teenage years, he volunteered abroad, experiences that opened his eyes to global inequality and strengthened his determination to make a difference.
His upbringing in a supportive and thoughtful environment inspired him to combine business with compassion. Littlejohn always believed that entrepreneurship should not just generate profit but should also create solutions for society’s most urgent problems.
Start of Career and Social Bite Foundation
Josh Littlejohn’s career began with a mission to redefine success in business. In 2012, he co-founded Social Bite with Alice Thompson — a small café in Edinburgh that quickly became a revolutionary social enterprise. The turning point came when a homeless man entered the café asking for work. That single moment changed the future of Social Bite forever.
Instead of limiting the café’s mission to serving customers, Littlejohn transformed it into a business dedicated to helping the homeless. Today, Social Bite employs people affected by homelessness and donates hundreds of thousands of meals every year. It’s a model that fuses business sustainability with social compassion — and one that has inspired governments and organizations across the world.
Rise as a Global Social Entrepreneur
Littlejohn’s determination and vision soon gained international recognition. Under his leadership, Social Bite expanded to multiple cities across the United Kingdom, offering job opportunities and community support to those in need. Beyond providing food, the enterprise became a hub for education, skill development, and rehabilitation.
As a social entrepreneur, Josh believed that business could solve problems that charity alone could not. He focused on creating long-term, dignified opportunities instead of short-term aid. His strategy inspired a new generation of social enterprises, blending compassion with commercial innovation.
The Creation of Social Bite Village
In 2018, Littlejohn launched one of his most groundbreaking projects — the Social Bite Village in Edinburgh. This initiative provided secure, supportive housing to people emerging from homelessness. The Village, built on reclaimed land, consists of eco-friendly modular homes designed to offer safety and community integration.
The project’s success attracted national attention. It became a living example of how innovation, empathy, and efficient management could transform lives. Hundreds of people found stable housing through this model, proving that homelessness could be addressed through creativity and collaboration rather than pity.
The World’s Big Sleep Out
Josh Littlejohn’s global influence soared when he organized The World’s Big Sleep Out in 2019. The event brought together more than 60,000 people across 52 cities worldwide — including New York, London, and Los Angeles — to raise funds and awareness for homelessness.
This extraordinary campaign united people from different cultures, governments, and organizations. It showcased how empathy could bridge borders and create global solidarity for the world’s most vulnerable communities. Millions were raised for homelessness charities, marking one of the largest social awareness movements of its kind.
Brewgooder: Beer with a Purpose
Beyond tackling homelessness, Littlejohn co-founded Brewgooder, a craft beer company that funds clean water projects across Africa. The concept was simple yet powerful: every beer sold contributes to providing safe drinking water to those in need.
Through Brewgooder, he proved that even everyday products could drive global change. This project reinforced his belief that business, when guided by moral purpose, can be a tool for progress and humanity.
Author of Paying It Forward
In 2023, Josh Littlejohn released his first book, “Paying It Forward: How to Be a Social Entrepreneur.” The book became a Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller and has inspired readers worldwide to use their talents for positive change.
In this work, he shared his lessons from building Social Bite and other ventures, offering practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to blend profit with purpose. His storytelling and honesty make the book not only educational but deeply motivational for those seeking meaning in their careers.
Awards and Achievements
Josh Littlejohn’s impact has earned him numerous awards and honors that reflect his influence in business and humanitarian work.
He received the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2017 for services to social enterprise and entrepreneurship. He was also recognized as the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year (2015) and received the Pride of Britain Special Recognition Award (2019) and the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award (2020).
Multiple universities across the UK have awarded him honorary doctorates, recognizing his contributions to society and leadership in redefining modern philanthropy.
Philosophy and Vision
At the core of Josh Littlejohn’s philosophy lies the belief that real change begins with empathy. He advocates for “businesses with purpose,” where profit and compassion work hand in hand.
His projects emphasize systemic change over charity — focusing on dignity, empowerment, and long-term transformation. Littlejohn continues to promote the Housing First approach, ensuring that secure housing is the foundation for rebuilding lives.
Conclusion
Josh Littlejohn’s story is a testament to the power of vision, courage, and compassion. From a small café in Edinburgh to a global movement against homelessness, he has proven that businesses can be forces for good. His legacy continues to grow, inspiring entrepreneurs, leaders, and young people to act with purpose and integrity.
In a world often divided by greed, Josh Littlejohn stands as proof that hope, when turned into action, can change millions of lives — one idea at a time.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Josh Littlejohn?
Josh Littlejohn is a Scottish social entrepreneur, author, and humanitarian best known as the founder of Social Bite and The World’s Big Sleep Out.
Q2: What is Social Bite?
Social Bite is a social enterprise café network in Scotland that provides free meals and job opportunities to people affected by homelessness.
Q3: What is The World’s Big Sleep Out?
It’s a global awareness campaign launched by Josh Littlejohn in 2019, bringing together 60,000 people across 52 cities to support homelessness charities.
Q4: What is Brewgooder?
Brewgooder is a beer brand co-founded by Littlejohn that funds clean water projects in Africa through profits from beer sales.
Q5: What makes Josh Littlejohn’s work unique?
His ability to merge entrepreneurship with humanitarian impact has redefined how businesses can serve society. He focuses on creating sustainable solutions rather than short-term charity.
