The St Vincent de Paul Society

The St.Vincent de Paul Society is an international organisation of lay people founded in Paris in 1833 by Blessed Frederick Ozanam (picture, left) and his companions. Placed under the patronage of St.Vincent de Paul it is inspired by his thinking and his works. We seek in a spirit of Justice and Charity to help those who are suffering in some way. It is a Catholic foundation but is open to all people of goodwill. The society has been active in England and Wales for some 150 years, and numbers some 180,000 members in 129 countries throughout the world.

The core activity of the volunteer members is face-to-face, person-to-person care for people through visiting people in their own homes, in institutions, prisons, hospitals or wherever they are. We serve people regardless of creed, opinion, caste and origin The process of visitation involves direct requests for assistance being made either to the SVP or to the parish. These calls are then processed and the local Conference in that particular area is contacted with the request to make a visitation. Visitations are undertaken in pairs and follow up visits are made where necessary.