Aidan Crawford , President of SVPs Northern Region, explained: “Our new leaflet ‘Become a Friend of the Society of St Vincent de Paul’ will help further as we work to alleviate poverty and need in Northern Ireland. We are always on the lookout for new friends as the demand for our services has never been higher.
“Times are difficult for a lot of people out there and in this recessionary period our services are needed more than ever. We work to identify the causes of poverty and we would encourage parishioners to help us create a more caring and just society. Many families are struggling in these times and these members of the public would welcome your friendship.”
Leaflets explaining about SVP and encouraging parishioners, ‘Help us to Help Others’ will be distributed at masses. As a Friend of the Society you will receive a copy of St Vincent de Paul’s quarterly Regional Newsletter. A Mass will also be offered for your intentions once a month. With the problems of recession, unemployment and government cuts still very prevalent, the Society’s work remains vital. St Vincent de Paul is one of the longest standing charitable organisations in the world and has spread to more than 130 countries.
St Vincent de Paul has been working for the last 170 years in Northern Ireland to combat poverty and deprivation. Your prayers for everyone involved in this work are much appreciated.
Around 1600 SVP volunteers provide the charity’s wide-ranging services to which includes paying weekly visits to around 2,500 people, as well as carry out a wide range of activities and support across the province including crèches, breakfast clubs and the management of 31 Vincent’s shops.
Aidan Crawford , President of SVPs Northern Region added: “There is a role for everyone. Whether this is donating time, money or praying for those who further the work of the Society. Our members carry out thousands of home visits, volunteer in the retail shops or help to organise events. Visits are made to people in hospital, residential homes and prison. SVP also support needs in administration and IT staff as demand for assistance increases every year. In the last 4 to 5 years SVP has witnessed a 100% increase in demand for its services.”
SVP is a volunteer-led organisation and teams work tirelessly, 365 days a year, to provide assistance to all sections of the community across Northern Ireland. Through Conferences (groups), the Society works with those in need, irrespective of creed, ethnic or social backgrounds, health, gender or political opinions, in local areas.
To find out more about St Vincent de Paul NI, please call 02890 351561 or email info@svpni.co.uk