Volunteer FAQ

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the largest, voluntary, charitable organisation in Ireland. Its membership of over 11,000 Volunteers throughout the country offer friendship and support to individuals and families living with poverty to achieve self-sufficiency while working for social justice. About Us

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.

Our focus is on practical approach to dealing with poverty, alleviating its effects on individuals and families through working primarily in person-to-person contact by a unique system of family visitation and seeking to achieve social justice and equality of opportunity for all citizens. In addition to providing direct assistance to those in need, caring for the homeless, providing social housing, operating holiday homes and other social support activities, the Society promotes community self-sufficiency, enabling people to help themselves. 

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

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.

To help people in need in their community and change the society we live in by bringing social exclusion to an end and enabling people to become self-sufficent.

To be active in the community in areas neglected and to offer support and companionship to the lonely.

A genuine concern for those in our community who are in need, a willingness to do something about it whilst preserving total confidentially.

The sort of activities you become involved in will depend entirely upon your own personal interests. We will try to allocate you with the type of work to which you feel you are best suited be it home visitation, shops, resource centres etc. Have a look at the wide range of activities that the Society does -  What We Do

Yes, comprehensive Induction Training is available for new Volunteers to help prepare you for the work you will be doing. In addition to this we provide Officer Training for special roles within the organisation. There are other opportunities to attend workshops and information sessions based on the work we do in order to keep yourself up to date.

In order to become a member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul you need to complete our membership application process and attend Induction Training for New Volunteers. The application process includes:

• Garda Vetting Form
• Membership Application Form
• Reference Checking Form
• Proof of Identity (photocopy of Passport or Drivers License)
• Proof of Address (photocopy of utility bill addressed to you)

Once you are an established member of a Conference you will be able to fill out a form to get an SVP ID card, which you can carry with you on visits.

As with many voluntary jobs, members often say they get more out of the Society than they put in through the friends they make, and the relationships they build up with the people they visit. There is also satisfaction from knowing you are trying to make a difference in a practical way.

Visiting people in their homes, once requested, and offering support and friendship.

The Conference is your main support. As a group you will discuss any problems you have encountered on your visits, the experience of others will help point to the best way forward.

No, but it can help relieve some pressures and give people some space to resolve their problems, while planning a route out of poverty through education, training, esteem-building or employment.

The issues or problems which some people come to us with are often complex ones and alot of the time are a mix of things and can include Illness, loneliness, desertion, alcoholism, low self-esteem and violence.

Clothing, fuel, food, beds, furniture, holidays, education assistance and employment opportunities.

Usually self referral, people approach the SVP when in need.

The Society operates a three-pronged strategy of Support and Friendship; Promoting Self-Sufficiency and Working for Social Justice through a diverse range of activities.

• Visiting (home, hospital, prison)
• Financial Support
• Advice/Counselling
• Holiday Breaks
• Youth Clubs
• Education Grants
• Homework Club/Grinds
• Summer Play/Holiday Home Programmes
• Social Housing for dependent elderly
• Visitor Centres (Prison)
• Family Resource Centres
• Hostels for Homeless
• Charity shops
• Job Creation Programmes
• Resource Centres
• Government Lobbying

See What We Do

You will never know unless you try. In the Society of St. Vincent de Paul too few people are trying to do too much.  We need your help to help people in need.
 If you have some spare time to give to people in need contact us.

This is a form of membership where you make an annual contribution to the Society.