Kindness Grows: Lessons from Social Bite’s Festive Campaign

When Robyn (pictured above left) volunteered with Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness, it wasn’t just about giving time; it was about rediscovering the power of human connection. Her story, shared in her own words in the guest blog below, is about hope, community, and how even the smallest acts of kindness can change lives – including our own.

 

Hidden crisis: seeing the unseen

London is a city of contrasts – buzzing with life and opportunity, but also a place where hardship is all too visible. When Robyn first moved to London over twenty years ago, she remembers being genuinely shocked by how many people were sleeping rough. Where she lives in Camden, homelessness is something she see every day. “Sometimes it feels overwhelming, and I often wonder what, if anything, I can do to help,” Robyn reflects.

 

A moment of inspiration: saying yes to kindness

When Robyn spotted an opportunity on the Technology Engage Community to volunteer with Social Bite’s Tree of Kindness at Charing Cross Station, she didn’t hesitate. The numbers are staggering: nearly 150,000 households in temporary accommodation across the UK, and over 94,000 of those include children. It’s easy to feel lost in the statistics, but every single one represents a real person, with hopes and dreams just like ours. Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness campaign is about making a difference, one small act at a time.

 

Gifts, smiles, and real connections

Robyn spent one of her volunteering days supporting gift collections and donations at the Tree of Kindness in Charing Cross. NatWest empowers their colleagues to give back by offering three dedicated work days each year for volunteering – a brilliant way to support causes close to their hearts while making a real difference in communities.

Robyn explained, “From the moment I arrived, the Social Bite team made me feel welcome and part of something special. Throughout the day, I chatted with Londoners and visitors about homelessness in London and how they could help. Instead of feeling sad or helpless, I felt genuinely uplifted. It was amazing to see how something as simple as donating a gift, sharing a smile, or offering a warm meal could make such a difference.

“A conversation with Sara Rees, Social Bite’s Director of Fundraising and Partnerships, really stayed with me. Sara said, ‘Everyone deserves dignity and kindness.’ That message is at the heart of everything Social Bite does, and it’s something I took home with me.”

Sara also shared a powerful reflection on the impact of collective action:

“We are so grateful for the amazing support shown by NatWest Group colleagues across the UK. Teams have been showing up in amazing numbers to volunteer, fundraise and donate gifts, playing a key part in this movement of kindness. Thank you all for your contributions, which will bring vital relief as well as compassion for people who are homeless, vulnerable and experiencing hardship this Christmas and through the winter.”

Sara’s words remind us that kindness isn’t just about individual acts – it’s about communities coming together to create real change.

 

Kindness is contagious – here’s proof

Robyn said, “Volunteering with Social Bite reminded me that kindness really is contagious. It’s so easy to feel powerless in the face of big problems, but together, we can make a real difference.”

If you’re looking for a way to make a positive impact, why not use one of your company’s volunteering days to support Social Bite or a cause that means something to you?

 

How you can help

1. Bring a gift to a Tree of Kindness

Social Bite’s stunning 10-metre Christmas trees are located in city centres in London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen throughout December. You can bring gifts from a Wish List to donate to people in need, and place them under the tree. Social Bite will then distribute them to homeless people, families, and children in poverty in the area in time for Christmas. Find out more about the Tree opening times, locations and gift wish list.

2. Donate

Every £5 raised can buy someone homeless a Christmas meal. Donate online or you can also donate through the NatWest Rewards app.

• £5 could buy a homeless person Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.
• £28 could help to provide a Christmas dinner, an essentials pack, a gift, and a bed for the night.
• £50 could help to buy basic home furnishings for a home in one of the new Social Bite villages, leading to lasting change in someone’s life.

3. Volunteer

You and your colleagues can volunteer to help out at a Social Bite Trees of Kindness across the UK. Social Bite needs people every day throughout the campaign to help accept donated gifts from the public, take them to the nearby storage unit, hand out flyers to encourage donations and more!

 

This festive season, let’s show what’s possible when we act together. Social Bite is a wonderful place to start. Together, we really can help create a society where no one has to be homeless.