St Vincent de Paul Society

5th Floor
291 - 299 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1JG

Tel: 0207 407 4644
Fax: 0207 407 4634
Web: www.svp.org.uk
Best time to telephone: normal office hours

The St Vincent de Paul Society (or as it is often known - the SVP) is an international Christian organisation. Catholic in origin and character it is dedicated to helping anyone in need. The concept of need is broadly based, so visiting the sick, the lonely, the addicted and those suffering from disabilities form a large proportion of the Society's work.

The Society exists in about 140 countries with nearly one million members. In England and Wales, its 11,000 volunteers annually carry out 625,000 recorded visits. While the Society recognises that material or financial assistance may help those in need overcome crises and develop longer term solutions to their problems, the essential work of the Society is person to person contact. As this is a fundamental part of the Society's ethos, it does not make donations to any organisation or individual where members are not personally involved.

The Society operates in small groups, called 'Conferences', based on local parishes or schools. They meet regularly to review their work as well as allocating future work in a spirit of prayer and mutual support. The work of a Conference is usually concentrated on local visiting. However, other activities may include 'special works', which serve people in a wider area or give more specialized help in a certain aspect of the work, such as furniture stores, hostels, holiday schemes, children's summer camps, and drop-in centres.

Internationally, groups in the developing world are 'twinned' with groups in more affluent countries, supporting each other with correspondence and mutual prayer. Financial support is also provided in the form of regular contributions, student sponsorship, specific projects and there is a disaster fund to help the local Society cope with disasters in their own country.

Membership is open to men and women, young and old, of any denomination. The SVP only asks that members accept fully the Christian ethos of the Society, and are committed to express their love of God through personal service to their neighbour. The SVP respects religious liberty and values all people.