Make a Difference with SVP
Volunteer with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and become part of the largest and oldest voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland. One of our greatest strength is our volunteers.
As someone who knows your community best, you can make an immediate difference while also helping individuals and families work towards long-term self-sufficiency and equal opportunity — through friendship, support, and care.
Most SVP volunteers work directly with people in need, but there are also opportunities to get involved behind the scenes in areas such as administration, accounting, and IT.
Even the smallest contribution of time and skills, offered at the right moment, can bring hope and change lives for the better.
Volunteering Opportunities
Overseas Police Clearance
Please Note: For certain roles which require Garda Vetting or Access NI (e.g. Visitation or Child and Family Services), individuals who have lived outside the island of Ireland for 6 or more continuous months since the age of 16 years are required to submit an original police certificate(s) from the country or countries of residence (with authenticated translation where necessary).
FAQ's
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the largest, voluntary, charitable organisation in Ireland. Its membership of over 10,000 Volunteers throughout the country offers friendship and support to individuals and families living with poverty to achieve self-sufficiency, while working for social justice.
Our focus is on a 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.
The SVP is a lay Christian Organisation. Membership is open to anyone who respects the ethos and rules of the Society. You do not need to be a Christian in order to join the SVP.
Volunteering at SVP means joining Ireland’s largest voluntary charitable organisation to support people facing poverty and exclusion. This could include visiting individuals and families in their homes, helping with food, education, or housing needs, assisting in Vincent’s shops, or contributing your skills behind the scenes. Whatever the role, you’ll be part of compassionate work that makes a real difference in communities across Ireland.
A good volunteer has a genuine concern for people in need and a willingness to help while respecting confidentiality. Patience, kindness, and compassion are key, along with the ability to build friendships and work as part of a supportive, like-minded group.
