Parish SVP

St Vincent de Paul Society

Turning concern into action

The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is an international Christian voluntary organisation inspired by our faith and dedicated to supporting people experiencing poverty, loneliness, illness or other difficulties.

Our SVP Conference at Our Lady and St Michael’s, Abergavenny seeks to put our faith into action through practical help, friendship and personal contact.

Our Conference

We meet monthly: Prayer and spiritual reflection are an important part of every meeting. This provides an opportunity to step back from our practical work, reflect on the Gospel and the Vincentian vocation, and remember that our service to others is rooted in our Christian faith.

Our meetings also allow members to discuss local needs, plan our activities and consider how best we can respond to people who approach us for help.

What do we do?

Our work is varied because every person's circumstances are different. During the past year our members have been involved in:

• Food support through Abergavenny Foodbank and food pantry projects in Ebbw Vale and Brynmawr.
• Shopping and food deliveries to individuals and families experiencing hardship.
• Regular support for the Usk Food Kitchen..
• Visiting and befriending people who may be isolated, unwell or experiencing difficult circumstances.
• Transport to Mass, hospital and medical appointments for people who would otherwise find it difficult to attend.
• Providing clothing, bedding, furniture, baby equipment, school uniforms, toys and essential household items.
• Helping families with practical issues such as school admissions and accessing local services.
• Responding to emergencies, including providing food, essential household equipment and, on occasion, arranging temporary accommodation.
• Collecting donated goods for St Vincent's/SVP shops across South Wales.
• Supporting local schools and working with other churches, foodbanks, charities and community organisations.
• Fundraising to enable us to continue helping people in need.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY.

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More than practical help

SVP is about much more than providing material assistance.

Sometimes the most valuable thing we can offer is time: a visit, a telephone call, a lift to Mass, a cup of coffee after an appointment, or simply someone prepared to listen.

We try to respond to each person with dignity, kindness and without judgement, recognising Christ in those whom we are privileged to serve.

Reaching beyond our own community

Our Vincentian family extends far beyond Abergavenny.

As well as supporting people locally and in neighbouring communities, our Conference supports an overseas SVP twin in Kerala India Twinning connects SVP Conferences in England and Wales with Conferences overseas, allowing us to share in the work of fellow Vincentians serving communities facing poverty and hardship elsewhere in the world.

It reminds us that we are part of an international Vincentian family, united by faith, friendship and service.

Could you help?

You do not need special qualifications to become involved with SVP. What matters is a willingness to give a little of your time and to respond with compassion when someone needs help.

There are many ways of contributing, from visiting and practical assistance to helping with food projects, fundraising or supporting the work of the Conference.



Frequently Asked Questions