How do I contact SVP if I need help?
If you are looking for help or advice we are here to help you in whatever way we can. You can contact us by filling out the online request for assistance or alternatively you can contact your closest Local Office.
Who do we help?
We make over 400,000 visits each year to homes throughout Ireland, providing families with essential support with food, energy and education costs. In addition to providing direct assistance for families The SVP also provides many essential services such as social housing units, day care centres, shops and holiday homes. See What We Do
How do you become a volunteer?
Whether you have a few hours to spare or would like to make a more long-term commitment, there are lots of ways you can get involved and help change someone’s life. As a first step you can contact your local office or apply online
Is volunteering very time consuming?
Depending on what type of volunteer you become the time you give varies from anything from 1 hour upwards per week. For example if you decide to volunteer in one of our shops you can volunteer for a minimum of 1 hour. However, if you join a visitation Conference this can take anything from 2 hours upwards. Register your interest in Volunteering Online
Who may join the Society?
Anybody who has some spare time, is committed to fighting injustice and can empathise with those we assist. You must first take part in our volunteer training and you will also need Garda Vetting before you can become a volunteer.
How do you obtain your funds?
We obtain our funds through our monthly Church Gate collections around the country, bequests, gift aid, Flag Days, online & offline donations, donations from businesses and money generated from our charity shops.
Is Saint Vincent de Paul the founder of the Society?
St Vincent de Paul is actually the patron of the Society. The Society was founded by its principal founder Blessed Frederic Ozanam, a twenty-year-old university student in France in 1833 and five others. Frederic was inspired by St Vincent's legacy and decided to name the Society after the famous French saint of the poor. Find out more in our History
What makes SVP different from other charitable organisations?
How SVP differs from other charities is the way in which our volunteers carry out our core work. Home visitation makes up most of the voluntary work SVP does and we do this by visiting the people we assist in their homes and enable them to find their own solutions to their problems, through support and friendship.
Is it a Christian Organisation?
The SVP is a lay Christian Organisation but membership is open to anyone who respects the ethos and rule of the Society. You do not need to be a Christian in order to join the SVP.