Council Chairperson Meets with St Vincent de Paul Representatives

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna, has commended the work of St Vincent de Paul after meeting with the charity’s staff and volunteers in Downpatrick, learning more about its role and the drive for new volunteers.

The new recruitment campaign is inviting more people to become part of the St Vincent de Paul (SVP) family in their local communities across the North Region, with the organisation already benefiting from over 800 volunteer members across this area. The new campaign is aimed at encouraging people to discover the rewards of volunteering, while supporting the most vulnerable in society.

Councillor Hanna endorsed the work of St Vincent de Paul and its dedicated volunteers and the difference they make to people’s lives.

“I was delighted to learn more about the work of the organisation and hope its volunteer recruitment campaign is successful so it can continue and expand its work helping vulnerable people. Much of the Society’s work goes unseen, but it is making a meaningful difference to the lives of many across our district and beyond,” he said.

Anne Irwin, Regional President of St Vincent de Paul in the North Region, said the Society is blessed with many willing volunteers who generously give of their time each week to help those most in need.

“We are seeking new people to become part of our welcoming community of volunteers as we believe that with more of them, we can provide more help. Whilst we are asking people if they have time to volunteer, many of our members believe that volunteering with SVP is about much more than giving of their time. It is about friendship, belonging and making a meaningful difference to people in our local communities in every County in Northern Ireland.”

Anne said whether meeting people for a friendly chat during the Society’s core work of home visitation appeals to people, whether they have the flair to help in designing window displays in one of Vincent’s 27 shops across the Region, or whether they have an eye for figures and an interest in IT, there are volunteering roles to suit everyone who has time to devote to SVP.

One volunteer described becoming a Society member as “one of the best decisions they had ever made”, while another said they are proud to be part of the SVP family. Other members have highlighted the warm welcome they received when they first joined, describing how other volunteers were an inspiration and made them feel welcome.

Creating a strong and welcoming membership is central to the future of the organisation, with the North Region President explaining she joined SVP nearly 25 years ago, with the charity built on people who care about their communities, people who are prepared to give their time and people who want to make a difference.

“We know that taking the first step can sometimes feel daunting, particularly if you are joining an organisation for the first time. But our volunteers tell us that once they walk through the door, they quickly discover a supportive and welcoming family,” Anne continued.

“One of the things that makes me particularly proud is hearing volunteers say the people they meet through SVP become such an important part of their lives. As one volunteer told us, ‘the members are encouraging and always pleasant’, while another described how ‘the volunteers of SVP are an inspiration to new members’. That is exactly the message we want to share through this campaign. You do not need to have special experience or qualifications. You simply need to care and be willing to give something of yourself.”

Anne added: “I would encourage anyone who has ever thought ‘perhaps I could volunteer’ to take that next step as every hour is precious to SVP and for anyone interested in becoming a member, giving the gift of time is one of the greatest gifts you can give.”

SVP supports people and families experiencing poverty and social exclusion throughout Northern Ireland. Its members and volunteers provide practical and emotional support in communities across the six counties, with home visitation remaining at the heart of its work.
The organisation also operates Vincent’s shops, where volunteers play a vital role in welcoming customers, sorting and displaying donations, creating attractive shop environments and helping raise funds to support SVP’s work.

To find out more about becoming a member of the Society of St Vincent de Paul or volunteering in a Vincent’s shop, visit svp.ie, contact SVP on 028 9035 1561 or email info@svpni.co.uk.