St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)...

How do we work?

The Society exists in about 140 countries with nearly one million members. In England and Wales, its 16,000 volunteers annually carry out around one million recorded visits. The essential work of the Society is person to person contact, and as this is a fundamental part of the Society's ethos, it does not make donations to any work in which members are not personally involved. However it recognises that material or financial assistance may help those in need overcome crises and develop longer-term solutions to their problems.

The Society operates in small groups, called "Conferences", based on local parishes or schools. They meet regularly to review their work as well as allocating future work in a spirit of prayer and mutual support. The work of a Conference is usually concentrated on local visiting. However, other activities may include "special works", which serve people in a wider area or give more specialised help in a certain aspect of the work, such as furniture stores, hostels, holiday schemes, children's summer camps and Drop-In Centres.

Internationally, groups in the developing world are "Twinned" with groups in more affluent countries, supporting each other with correspondence and mutual prayer. Financial support is also provided in the form of regular contributions, student sponsorship, specific projects and there is a "disaster fund" to help the local Society cope with disasters in their own country.

The SVP supports justice and peace by encouraging communities and individuals to improve their quality of life, but works to address the causes of need. It gathers and uses information about the effects of legislation on grass roots poverty, examines relevant draft legislation and responds to government on issues that adversely affect the poor, mainly by co-operating with other Christian and voluntary groups in the UK and within Europe. However, in dealing with such matters it avoids party politics.

Membership is open to men and women, young and old, of any denomination. The SVP only asks that members accept fully the Christian ethos of the Society, and are committed to express their love of God through personal service to their neighbour. The SVP respects religious liberty and values all people

 

Who do we help?

 

   

Where do we work?

Few towns in England and Wales are without an SVP group usually attached to the local parishes. An increasing number are starting in schools and colleges as part of the SVP's commitment to youth. One group operates inside a prison, run by the prisoners for the benefit of the more vulnerable among them.

Regular visiting and personal care, with relationships based on trust and friendship are what gives the SVP its unique character, distinguishing it from many other organisations. Such work is usually best organised locally, such as in a parish, whereas "Special Works" are more often based on larger towns or diocese.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ireland: SVP reports huge increase in requests for help as cost of living soars

Several Irish newspapers have reported that the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) has experienced a 70% increase in requests for help in recent weeks. The Society sees a direct link to drastic increases in the cost of living.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) had 4,858 requests for help in the first three months of this year in the greater Dublin region alone - up 70% from 2,853 in the same period in 2007.

"There's no doubt those figures are replicated nationwide," said SVP spokesman Stuart Kenny.

Campaigners in Ireland point to the rocketing price of food, which has risen 9.3% in the past 12 months, as well as increasing job losses in construction as the reason for the increase in calls for assistance.

Basics such as fuel bills have also risen 12.3% in the past year, while medical bills are up 5.7% and schooling costs up 5.9%.

"These significant increases in the cost of living are coming home to roost in a very severe way," said SVP vice-president John Monaghan.

"Calls [for help] to our offices are today at levels we normally get in the run-up to Christmas."

Families and people on social welfare or the minimum wage spend a greater part of their weekly budget on the basics, so they are hardest hit by the rises in the cost of living, he said.

Mr Monaghan attacked business groups who have called for the minimum wage lowered to address Ireland's high inflation rate, which is currently at 5%.

He said: "They're saying it's not the guys at the top who are causing problems but the guys at the bottom, They say the way to keep Ireland competitive is to look at cutting low wages of people at the bottom. Our attitude is 'no way will this happen' and we would be jumping all over the place if it did."

Source: SVP 10.05.08.

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St. Wilfrid's SVP Conference Meetings

The Blyth SVP Conference meets on a Friday evening after the 7.00pm Mass in the Day Chapel of Our Lady & St. WIlfrid's, Blyth. Come along if you are interested, we are always looking for new members and help all round!

The St Vincent de Paul Society (or as it is often known - the SVP) is an international Christian organisation. Catholic in origin and character it is dedicated to helping anyone in need. The concept of need is broadly based, so visiting the sick, the lonely, the addicted and those suffering from disabilities form a large proportion of the Society's work.

The SVP tries to assist all those in need on a person to person basis, regardless of their faith, colour, race or status. Its aim is to help those visited to be as independent as possible and to be happier as a result of the contact. They should be aware that they are valued and respected as individuals, secure in the knowledge that there is someone to whom they can turn for a helping hand or a sympathetic ear. The Society respects religious liberty and values all people.

Visits are made to families, to the sick at home or in hospitals and hospices, to residential homes and to offender institutes. Loneliness, especially among the elderly is growing, so members spend a lot of time visiting housebound people to prevent them from feeling isolated. Many appreciate a friendly face and enjoy a chat over a cup of tea, knowing that someone cares. Support may extend to doing shopping, decorating, gardening, filling in official forms and ensuring they are receiving their statutory benefits..

Visiting prisoners is a specialised work, and can be done in a number of ways. It is possible to become a prison visitor, but many more just visit a prisoner at their request or assist the prison chaplain. Help is given to prisoners' families by visiting them at home or by providing child-care during prison visits.

Where financial problems are involved, the main objective is to foster sound budgeting and debt management. It may be possible to supply some items of furniture or clothing, but the responsibility to ensure we do not leave people dependent on help is recognised. Training is available to members, ensuring that they are equipped to carry out their work in a competent manner

The SVP has responded to social changes, recognising that problems of need are not solely the concern of government and social workers. It runs furniture stores, drop-in centres, provides accommodation to vulnerable people, has founded Housing Associations providing quality accommodation, organises children's camps and various holiday schemes. It co-founded the DePaul Trust to provide accommodation and continuing help to homeless young people. The Society is creating schemes providing employment, especially through the provision of community shops.