ISSUE 60 Summer 2019 95p VincentianConcern St Vincent de Paul Society (England and Wales) Charity Registration No: 1053992 • Company registered in England & Wales No: 3174679 svp.org.uk Building the Kingdom SVP National Meeting 2019
Inside this edition Measuring poverty • Housing the homeless • Feeding the hungry
Keep in touch with us SVPEnglandWales SVPenglandandwales From our President
Building the Kingdom Building the Kingdom was the theme of our National Meeting held in Loughborough University in June this year.
The concept of creating God’s Kingdom here on earth is challenging, particularly so in these difficult and divisive times when it is sometimes impossible to feel we can make any real difference to the world we live in.
Last week I called in to see “Ann” (not her real name) who my Conference has been visiting and helping for many years. She was having a very bad time and as I left, she said: “I would love to live your life for a day.” The poignancy of this really struck me. I felt the guilt of being blessed with family, friends, a home and an income and I felt helpless in the face of her suffering and my inability to solve her problems. In moments such as these I seek solace in the words of (Saint) Mother Teresa who urged Inside this edition people not to give up when confronted with overwhelming poverty, suffering and inequality: Spirituality 3 “If you can’t feed a hundred people then feed just one.” National Meeting Coverage 4 “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Society News 15 Mother Teresa was a great believer in the power of a smile. So while I SVP 1833 19 cannot solve all Ann’s problems, I can go and visit her and treat her with Conference Funding 20 the dignity she deserves. And I can greet her with a smile. Perhaps that Social Justice 21 smile is one brick in the Kingdom of God we are trying to build.
Expert Opinion 22 During the National Meeting I learned of many different initiatives that are helping to combat poverty - from our members, our staff, our fellow CSP Spotlight 24 Vincentians and other guest speakers. I am sure you will enjoy reading CSP News 26 about some of them here. Most of all I came away feeling a reinforced sense of SVP identity, of our Vincentian background and roots, of our Conference Innovation 28 connection with our fellow SVP members here and in our twinned Youth News 29 countries, of our commonality of purpose and overall of our shared mission, spiritualty and friendship. Youth Feature 30 There is so much good being done by you, by the Society and by other Twinnage 32 like-minded people and organisations. Rather than feeling daunted by Safeguarding 34 what we face we should really feel inspired by each other to continue building that Kingdom, brick by brick and smile by smile. Members’ Info 35 God Bless. Fundraising 36 Yours in St Vincent and Blessed Frédéric. Behind the Scenes 37
CEO’s Message & Obituaries 38
Keep in touch with us Helen O’Shea, National President SVPEnglandWales SVPenglandandwales
2 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 3 Spirituality
Do you love me? Fr Paul Roche, the SVP’s Spiritual Advisor, asks a difficult question – one that we should all ask ourselves, he says, in order to transform our Vincentian work.
Surely one of the most searching of questions that could be put to us is: “Do you love me?” This is a demand that we reveal our innermost St Peter self to the other.
This insistent question was put by Really falling in love with another is to put them first Jesus after his resurrection from the dead, to the one and at the centre of our lives. We have many loves in who just days earlier had thrice denied even knowing our lives, but loving another demands they be given him – the apostle Peter (Jn 21:15). The question was precedence over all others, even over father, mother, addressed to him, not as Peter, but by the name he had land or riches, over all others if they get between me before becoming a disciple – Simon son of John. and the one I love. Christ demands no more from us He was asked three times: “Do you love me – love than this (Lk 14:26-27). me more than these?” In other words, Jesus was St Vincent de Paul saw this very clearly, and he insists challenging Peter: “Don’t just say it, show it!” we must love God by a life of practical loving and Each time Peter asserted his love for Jesus, he was caring for others, especially those who are poor, lonely challenged: “Show me that you love me, prove to me and forgotten, left-out and abandoned. For him the way you are not just saying it, if you mean it then feed my to union with God and true holiness was not a matter lambs, feed my sheep.” Action must follow words if he is of living a monastic style of life in prayer and solitude, to be believed. but instead an active life in the midst of the turmoil and Such a question as ‘Do you love me?’ is seldom asked change of daily living. unless a relationship has become strained, maybe We must grow more and more in love with Christ Jesus asked of children by their parents, or of one to another – he has loved us first. To do so we have to spend more in a loving couple. time with him, share deeply with him, and learn to listen It is also a question which each of us should ask of to him. How? ourselves as disciples of Jesus. The God we worship and • Spend time each day in prayer – not just saying serve is not some impersonal force of nature, a greater prayers but really praying. power, but rather a loving, forgiving personal being who • Read the scriptures, for ignorance of the scriptures is has made himself known to us and has shared his love ignorance of Christ. and life with us in giving us the power to be Children of • Allow your love of Christ to come to dominate you. God (Jn 1:12). Your Vincentian work of caring for others will no longer be a matter of just obeying Society rules or going The poor man will only forgive through the motions, it will be transformed into a loving you for giving him bread if he response to love and forgiveness received. knows you love him.” St Vincent insists: “The poor man will only forgive you for giving him bread if he knows you love him.”
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An event of ideas and inspiration This summer the SVP hosted its biennial consequences of poverty; and Maggie Doherty from National Meeting at Loughborough University St Mary’s University who tackled the delicate subject of in Leicestershire. Hundreds of members from ‘the art of dying well’. around the country came together to hear a All of these speakers and many more shared their diverse range of speakers explore the theme of often profound knowledge and experience with the ‘Building the Kingdom’. delegates, and happily answered their questions.
As National President, Helen O’Shea pointed out, 2019 Over the following pages we provide reports on many was a special year to be holding the meeting as it was of the presentations and try to capture a little of the the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Society in flavour of this inspiring event. England and Wales.
She pointed out that this year as in 1844, “the Vincentian charism is a particular response to God’s calling to build the Kingdom here on earth.”
Nearly 40 expert speakers from within the SVP and from outside of it explored a wide range of topics from homelessness to food poverty, from youth to old age, from working with prisoners to helping refugees.
Among the speakers were Johnson Varghese, National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society in India; Mark McGreevy, CEO of the charity Depaul International, who revealed a new Vincentian-family-wide initiative on homelessness; prison chaplain Jason Marshall; Sr Ruth O’Neill of the Daughters of Charity; sociologist Matt Padley who explored some of the causes and
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Witnessing the Vincentian spirit
The SVP National Meeting was made possible with the support of CCLA, a specialist investment manager that looks after investments for charities, churches and local authorities. Here Celia Waring from CCLA gives her thoughts on the event. As a delegate at the two-day meeting, I witnessed the Vincentian spirit in action - people shared a wide range of concerns in their communities and in return received practical support and encouragement towards renewed action.
The two-day meeting highlighted to me the devastating depth and breadth of poverty in the UK, but I was inspired some shared proven strategies for establishing and by every conversation, every story of commitment to building those relationships. There was a clear focus tackling the problem and the root causes. I heard stories on tackling the structural, social injustices that prevent of volunteers who had stood alongside those in food and people and families from flourishing. fuel poverty, homeless, in crisis, suffering with different It was wonderful to have SVP representation from India, forms of addiction or loneliness, motivated by their faith, who shared some of the work done by their 70,000 fuelled by love, and free from judgement. volunteers! An aspirational figure for SVP England and Members shared the crying need for progressive Wales? partnerships with referral bodies such as local We hope the SVP continues to grow and inspire action authorities, hospitals, hospices and other charities and to tackle poverty in all its forms.
CCLA have a long-standing partnership with the Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) and we seek to support members within the network, such as the SVP, where we can. CCLA exists to maximise the impact Charities have on society by harnessing the power of investment markets.
Aside from our work that seeks to generate strong returns for our charity investors, we can pursue our mission by supporting the SVP to have an even greater impact on society through its National Meeting.
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Enlightening and Inspiring Your thoughts on the SVP National Meeting
About our speakers… About the seminars... Matt Padley: Poverty in Working to combat England and Wales today homelessness “A good broad informative “Three different takes on academic’s presentation.” the frightening reality of • homelessness; all excellent; well- “Best ever keynote address.” balanced seminar.” • • “A fantastic presentation, really “Ideas to follow-up; hope we can interesting, well presented and accept some of the challenges.” so informative.” • Working with the offender “Enlightening and inspiring.” “It was very humbling to hear Helen O’Shea: Delivering from a man just recently our mission released from prison about the On the workshops… way in which he was helped by “Inspirational.” How good communications • visits and support from the SVP, can enhance SVP work “As usual, inspiring.” a very challenging work indeed.” • • “Took away a lot of ideas “Moving and heart-warming; “Very informative; relating which will be valuable to our very inspiring and genuine.” their work through stories; Conference.” inspirational.” Successful member Welcoming the stranger recruitment SVP Exhibition “Very good speakers coming “Gave me loads of ideas to from different angles, gelling well increase membership; very “Well presented; great ideas and together.” entertaining and some fantastic great work going on.” ideas to take away.” • Seek and find those in need “Lots of information provided.” • “Love the leaving care report; “Fizzing with really useful ideas; very interesting and had no idea exemplified creativity.” of this great need; certainly take Community support and this on.” the Vincentian charism Johnson Varghese: The “Tremendously helpful news of work of the Society in India initiatives.” “Very informative and reassuring; made my interest increase and keen to make communication with our twin.” • “Really inspiring to hear from SVP India members giving first hand experience.” • “Lively, engaging.”
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13 Houses for the homeless The 2 million-strong worldwide Vincentian family has come together to tackle homelessness on a global scale, as Mark McGreevy OBE, Group Chief Executive of Depaul, explained at the SVP’s biennial National Meeting in Loughborough this summer.
In 2017, thousands of representatives of the Vincentian in St Vincent’s time: safety, family poured into Rome to mark the 400th anniversary community, warmth, hope of St Vincent de Paul’s charism. Among them were and a future.” Vincentian Fathers, Daughters of Charity and members Mark explained that a 13 of the various Vincentian charities, including the SVP, Houses project might be an the AIC and homelessness charity, Depaul. actual house or it might be And there, in St Peter’s Square, in the presence of a feeding station or even Pope Francis himself, a new initiative was announced lobbying for the homeless. – the Famvin Homeless Alliance in which the whole “We are looking at global worldwide Vincentian family will work together against solidarity and local homelessness. collaboration as we believe Mark McGreevy Heading up the initiative is Mark McGreevy, who told that people on the ground delegates at the SVP National Meeting in June, how are best placed to agree a way forward as their we are all encouraged to respond to a world in which understanding of the local environment is invaluable in millions of people are fleeing their homes, living on the creating a project that ultimately helps those that are in streets or trapped in slums. most desperate need,” he said. “The scale of the issue is staggering,” he said. “There are But will there actually be a baker’s dozen of these projects? over 65 million refugees globally, 863 million adults and Mark said he hoped 13 physical houses would be built in children living in slums and well over 100 million street each country, although he recognised that they might homeless people across the world.” differ greatly from community to community, and he Mark explained the aims of the Famvin Homeless called on SVP members in England and Wales to get Alliance included making a real and sustainable involved in the campaign. difference to the lives of homeless people globally and “Along with being involved with the day to day nature building a strong network between Vincentian groups. of running a 13 Houses project, you can support the He said there were multiple ongoing schemes focused Solidarity Fund set up to help fund projects in poorer on these aims but he particularly wanted to highlight areas, you can volunteer your expertise throughout the one of them, the ‘13 Houses’ campaign. campaign, or even advocate for change by sharing “The idea comes from St Vincent himself. When King articles on social media platforms,” he explained. Louis XIII died in 1643, he left the equivalent of $1 “The 13 Houses campaign has a long way to go, but million to St Vincent who decided to use the money to progress is already being made. The very first house build what were known as the ‘13 Houses’ – places of has opened in Arkansas and the first resident was aptly sanctuary for abandoned children in the slums of Paris. named Vincent!” It was a true collaborative project between the Ladies of Charity, the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission; all doing their part to ensure that thousands of children were cared for. If you’d like to get involved in the 13 Houses campaign “We decided to revisit the 13 Houses concept and adapt please telephone SVP National Office on it to the modern world. We want 13 Houses to stand as 020 7703 3030 or email [email protected] an allegory for the very things they initially stood for
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Tips and tricks and ‘Vingo’ At the National Meeting in Loughborough, SVP Head of Membership, Jon Cornwall, conducted a workshop on successful membership recruitment. Here he provides a highly personal (and quirky) view of the event.
Having been in my role for some nine months Jon Cornwall at the point where I was asked to speak at the National Meeting, I did not worry about what I could share but rather challenged by how to paced. I also knew that I had a great many things which cram everything I wished to share into just 35 we could talk about so instead of weaving a patronising minutes. tutorial in the ministry of engagement instead we would leave what we talked about to chance/the Holy Spirit. Those who know me well often report that I have never struggled to find something to say and this could On this day ‘Vingo’ was born, it had been called ‘Vinnie perhaps be best evidenced by the fact that this article Bingo’ before my son told me that I had missed a trick. is now on its third draft and the editors have been Attendees were given a vingo sheet, a vingo dabber forced to accept that it will not fit onto a single page. and the chance to win a box of chocolates and a small bottle of prosecco while we unpacked 40+ of the tips In preparation for this workshop I turned to my notebook and tricks now numbered and randomised. which I have been carrying with me since beginning this role. Here I had been compiling some helpful tips and I shouldn’t have worried about this being patronising; tricks from members, from our founding Blesseds and it became a joyous celebration of what we do well and Saints and from occasionally encountering startling how we can do better. Friends shared good practice examples of ‘what not to do’. I immediately realised and long serving veterans nodded their approval, I that I had compiled well over a hundred building blocks kept on repeating “you probably already know this” with which to try and present a coherent narrative in and in the SVP’s typically generous way members a way which might make sense, be useful and avoid courageously admitted that they sometimes hadn’t patronising our already expert members. thought of that and that a simple tweak to what they do may have significant impact on their recruitment of An unsurprising hobby of mine is collecting and new members and retention of those currently serving. understanding the meaning behind common phrases, one of my most referred to textbooks being the Brewers Many members have been in touch with me since that Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, and most of my Google point asking whether they might be able to copy this searches tend to begin with the words “where did the workshop for their members. My response has been expression...” If I was being uncharitable with myself, I “absolutely” - indeed I even ended up donating my might suggest that this fascination for phrases comes bingo machine to one happy member. So, with this in from my own struggle for brevity [editors nod].
Some years ago I remember asking my Grandmother how to suck eggs, she didn’t know. It became a joyous celebration Being sandwiched in between inspiring and important of what we do well and how we can talks and seminars, I knew that I wished for this do better.” workshop to be engaging, light-hearted and fast-
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mind, if you would like to recreate the workshop yourself, kind of welcome will you provide, are there any I have provided everything you need at responsibilities you are willing to share with new www.svp.org.uk/national-meeting people, what would the tone of your meetings feel like to a newcomer? Cast a wide net with a fine mesh Invitation I have been asked to present just a few of the many tips and tricks which perhaps garnered the most response • Be specific yet broad: although one of the most from the workshop. I have broken these into four appealing things about the SVP is its willingness to moments in the recruitment process and they could respond to any and every emerging need, it also apply equally for newly forming Conferences as much provides a bit of a mental barrier to those we may be as those who already exist and are hoping to expand. inviting. Being willing to do anything and everything is an intimidating proposal. If you really need a Pre-recruitment secretary and a couple of befrienders, then perhaps • Making honorary friends: this is particularly useful for ask specifically for that. new Conferences, although it cannot hurt for existing • A team effort: don’t be afraid to work as a team ones either. The more you can become friends and in inviting people to join the Society. For existing seek the advice of other parish groups, safeguarding, Conferences who are finding that their requests for the secretary etc, the better they understand how SVP support are diversifying there could be an argument can fit into parish life and the more referrals you can to be able to go back to the parish and say: “We are receive from them. So, consider inviting them to be getting an increasing number of requests for this sort involved as honorary members who you may wish to of support, so is this something you think you could attend your meetings. help us with?” Having task groups within a Conference • Long-term accompaniment: where I have had the can be a sensible means of expansion without pleasure to be a Conference Facilitator, I have offered members feeling they ought to do everything. to become an auxiliary member of that Conference • Invitation, invitation and re-invitation: once you have myself. These Conference members understand created a list of people who have expressed interest it that I cannot attend every meeting but I will always may be useful to continue to invite them to meetings read the minutes being sent to me and am always and update once decisions have been reached and a going to be happy to respond to questions and share clearer vision of that Conference realised. examples of best practice etc. This is a long-term commitment and I would expect to be involved for at Onboarding and ongoing least two years to some degree or other. • Practical prayer: we are gradually creating a • Set a place at the table: before a Conference resource for new Conferences and ones who are keen considers expanding, it is worth having a conversation for a process of revival. This contains a fortnightly about what a recruit might be walking in to. What reflection, some discussion points and a list of resources available to support growth for a full year.
• An inventory of skills: consider having a regular conversation to identify the strengths of your members and how they might serve those you work with.
• Give each other holidays: try to help each other to take rests and have regular conversations about taking breaks.
For more tips and tricks consider visiting the website above and if there is anything I can do to support you in your Vincentian journey please do not hesitate to contact me on [email protected]
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Fighting to end food poverty At the SVP National Meeting in Loughborough in Its CEO, Emma Revie, says: “How should we go the summer, SVP patron, member and former forwards in response to thousands and thousands of MP, John Battle, led a session exploring the issue people being increasingly forced to turn to charity for of food poverty in Britain. The meeting heard something as basic, as fundamental, as food?” how food bank use is increasing dramatically “What’s come out of listening to voices from the and benefits issues – especially with the new frontline is that kindness alone is not enough. We need Universal Credit system – are at the heart of to be more willing to stand up, use our voice, speak truth much of the rise. to power, and push for the long-term changes that will tackle the underlying drivers of poverty and hardship in Latest figures from the Trussell Trust, which runs a our country,” she says. network of 1,200 food banks, suggest that around 38% of people who are referred to food banks have found themselves in food poverty due to benefit changes or delays. Rising food bank use As the Department of Work and Pensions began to roll out Universal Credit, people referred to food banks In the last five years, began to report serious issues. According to the Trussell food bank use in the 1,583,668 Trust 56% had also experienced problems with housing Trussell Trust networkGraph and 57% had experienced issues with mental or physical has increased by 73% health. The level of need for emergency food keeps increasing – in the last year alone the Trussell Trust network saw a 913,138 19% increase in food bank parcels provided to people. As a result, the Trust has felt challenged to think about its own purpose and strategy.
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Although this may be uncomfortable or challenging at times for the Trust, it is nonetheless essential, she believes. “It cannot be right that food banks in the Trussell Trust network alone provided 1.6 million emergency food bank parcels to people in the last year.” What also isn’t right is the fact that people referred to food banks are on extremely low incomes, she points out. The average household income for people referred to Trussell Trust food banks is just £319 a month. What’s more, families with children, one-parent families and disabled people are all over-represented among food bank users. “There’s no silver bullet for fixing the underlying issues - but it can be done,” Emma says, stressing: “This can change.” Compassion and kindness are embedded in the fabric of all that food banks do - “just like the St Vincent de Paul Emma Revie Society,” she points out. Indeed, many SVP Conferences collect food for food banks and help staff them. “Everyone who comes to a food bank is greeted by a volunteer and can sit down over a cup of tea and Similarly to the work of SVP coffee to chat. It’s a welcoming, non-judgmental volunteers, those dedicating environment, a space to talk about things that up until their time to help people in crisis that point no one may have had time to listen to. Food bank volunteers have told me that people often say the do so much more than providing emotional support they received at the food bank was practical support.” just as important as the emergency food.
“Similarly to the work of SVP volunteers, those dedicating their time to help people in crisis do so much more than The main reasons providing practical support. And I’m sure that in another for people needing parallel to SVP volunteers, it’s striking that compassion emergency food are: is not their only motivation. It’s matched by a desire to not only see social justice, but to play an active part Graph Income in achieving it. Food banks are determined to see long not covering term change.” essential costs Emma believes that big structural issues must be tackled if the need for emergency food is to end – issues like low-paid or insecure work, problems with the Benefit benefits system, and local emergency provision failing delays Benefit to fill the gaps as it should. changes “That sheer determination, that dedication to taking action right here and now, is why it is such a privilege to work with food banks and other organisations like the SVP. It’s that shared sense of raw injustice that brings us together,” she adds. “That’s why I’m proud to be working 33.11% 20.34% 17.36% to end hunger and poverty in the UK – and to stand alongside the SVP and others who do the same.”
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Firing up faith in the young At the National Meeting in Loughborough, Teresa Kehoe, the SVP’s 1833 Research & Development Project Officer, spoke about the Pope’s exhortation for young people to give their momentum to the Church, and what the SVP is doing to help them. Research has also shown the incredible energy, Last autumn’s Bishops’ Synod on young people enthusiasm, openness and desire of the young adults to and vocation resulted, this year, in Pope Francis learn about the Vincentian charism and spirituality and issuing an ‘apostolic exhortation’, Christus Vivit to engage wholeheartedly in works of charity. (or Christ is alive). This relates to the engagement Young adults have been particularly inspired by hearing of young people with religion in general and about Frédéric Ozanam, himself an undergraduate specifically Catholicism on a global level. when he founded the SVP. Learning that the SVP historically was a young person’s organisation has fired The exhortation shows how, in many parts of the world, up the imaginations of many. Wishing, like the early the Catholic faith is very much alive and active through founders, to continue with works of charity and a life of the lives of young people but in the western world it is a prayer and Christian fellowship post university has led different story. No longer living in what could be called to an examination of the working life of young adults ‘Christian lands’ many young people struggle to keep (including those on apprenticeship programmes and their faith intact through their teenage years. not in Higher Education). Recent years have seen an aging demographic not It is our desire that all young adults have an equal just within the Catholic Church, but within SVP England opportunity to be active members of the SVP and to and Wales. The youth department has been radically serve Christ through serving the poor. As a result, a series overhauled in the past four years with a distinction of ‘parish hubs’ will be created where suitable, enabling between the four apostolates: Mini Vinnies (ages 7-11); young adults to meet, following the format of all SVP Youth SVP (11-14); SVP B-Attitude (14-18); SVP 1833 (18-33). Conferences, to pray, grow in faith and live a life of charity. This year has been a period of research and In addition, a new way of working, more suitable to the development for the young adult apostolate of SVP 1833. current working world, will be adopted within university Findings have shown a significant number of what were Conferences. We’ll be giving the young adults’ apostolate 1833 Conferences now in abeyance and, of the remaining a new look. university Conferences, only one with a clear SVP identity. The reason for the success in keeping this identity can be It will offer our young adults mission trip opportunities, put down to the adult support team at the university – attendance at the next World Youth Day in Lisbon in themselves members of SVP adult Conferences. 2022, retreats which include active charitable outreach, the creation of a digital community, and formation via a digital platform (as well as certification where desired) from Franciscan University of Steubenville, a Catholic It is our desire that all young institution in the US. adults have an equal opportunity Watch this space for more on the development of SVP to be active members of the SVP.” 1833 and please pray for our young adults as they strive to live a life of Vincentian charity, prayer and fellowship.
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SVP National Meeting - a ‘cauldron of energy’ Hundreds of members from all over the country attended the SVP’s National Meeting in Loughborough and among them was Patrick Swinden, president of Our Lady of Mercy and St Joseph Conference in Lymington, Hampshire. Here he gives a personal reflection of the event.
Having never been to an SVP National Meeting and seminars was member-centric in that they were before, I was a little uncertain about what to expect able to pick and choose according to interest – a real from the two-day get-together in Loughborough – smorgasbord of experiences. And if there was ever a it’s a long way from Lymington on the south coast. lull in proceedings the engaging John Battle, meeting chairman, could always be relied upon to fill the gap Mentally I was ready for the facts and figures with his thoughtful tales. surrounding poverty and the disadvantaged and I expected to hear stories about how members had Before attending the meeting, I had questioned the turned concern into action. I was prepared to take away willingness of the Society to break-out of the strictures a couple of good ideas. (A boss of mine once told me of an international charity and to wander off the well- that if I came away from a conference with two good trodden paths of an establishment almost two centuries ideas, I was doing well.) I was even looking forward to old. I left feeling that there were as many pathways as enjoying the company of other ‘silver foxes’. there were beneficiaries and as I sat on the train home, I came to realise that there were others equally radical The SVP 2019 National Meeting gave me all of this and more. in their thinking and impatient for change. Whatever, I left Loughborough uplifted by the energy, the creativity, I left Loughborough with my commitment to the SVP the staying-power and the ever-present smiles of those subsidiarity-based ethos refreshed. around me, as united we strove to reach out to the isolated, the excluded and those rejected by society. An experience As a thought or two, the time together with other for me that was both humbling and exhilarating. members highlighted for me the need to open-up the ‘SVP Coat of Many Colours’ to greater member-to-member Over the two days the Meeting successfully balanced and Conference-to-Conference communications so that the spiritual (after all we are the hands and feet of Christ) the quality and range of service can be appreciated more with the practical, hands-on stuff so that project-based fully, both internally and externally. initiatives opened eyes to the do-able and explored the depth and breadth of the Society’s network of alliances. Secondly, a casual glance around the audience led to the obvious conclusion that effort needs to be made One such memory was Jon Cornwall, Head of to successfully recruit more middle-aged members Membership, getting the audience to chant to the beat (40 to 50-year-olds) but before that is to happen we of his cajon. Morning prayers will never be the same need, perhaps, to understand their needs and how we again for me! can ‘package’ membership to meet such requirements. Both the programme and the handouts can be visited Young people don’t do tea-parties. on the SVP website (go to Resources in the Members’ But I was impressed that the 2019 National Meeting was a Area) but suffice to say that the organisers did a cauldron of energy created by like-minded people, which good job: the content was fresh, and the balance did much to banish fears of isolationism and ‘silo’ thinking. between main-tent speakers and elective workshops
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What is need today? Jim Tresnan reports on the April Manchester Central Council meeting and provides insight on an uplifting and motivating event.
On the Sunday after Easter, Manchester Central ways to help people. We Council celebrated its annual festival meeting. were also introduced The event was staged at Thornleigh Salesian to the ’13 Houses Bishop John Arnold College in Bolton with mass concelebrated by the Campaign’, which has Right Reverend John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, and been launched by the Famvin Group Homeless Alliance. Manchester CC’s Spiritual Director, Canon Ryder. The scheme derives its name from the work of St Vincent who built 13 houses in Paris for abandoned children, and is During his homily the bishop recognised the work of looking to provide 13 houses in this country for the benefit the SVP describing it as a living example of the gospel of the homeless (see page 7). in action. He added that we need to express and live the gospel to show those around us what we do so that Helen explained how, in November 2017, she had visited they may be drawn to do the work too. Khartoum in Sudan as part of a Twinnage trip. She had never seen poverty like that which she witnessed there After the Mass, Manchester Central Council President, before, describing the camps where the displaced Ann Towey, introduced the National President, Helen people lived as “post-apocalyptic”. Despite difficult O’Shea, as the guest speaker. Helen started by speaking circumstances, the SVP continues to work in Sudan and about the recent fire at Notre Dame Cathedral and how the baby feeding programme continues to sustain the the image of the cross on the altar, amongst all the children and give hope. wreckage, was a sign of hope – ‘Hope from Despair’. She likened SVP members to this image, as we bring the shining light of hope into the lives of those we visit. We need to continue to be that Helen spoke about the themes of members, mission shining light in the lives of the and money. She described the strategic planning work many people in need.” that has been taking place and the ‘Five Pillars’ of what we are trying to achieve and how we need to be fit for the future – adapting to the changing world conditions. Money is obviously important for the running of the With regard to ‘Mission’, Helen posed the question: Society and pays for many things including staff who “what is need today?” Helen cited the examples of the are involved in recruitment, safeguarding and other Trussell Trust foodbanks, the Age UK report on increased vital roles within the organisation. Helen reaffirmed risk of dementia and early mortality for the lonely, that Conferences should not be sitting on reserves, and and a Panorama programme on poverty versus life that if a Conference has excess funds it should look for expectancy. One question which we all need to ask ways to use this money, such as, helping a neighbouring ourselves is: “Are we doing enough to seek those who are Conference that is in difficulty, supporting youth not coming to us?” This is what Helen’s Conference did. development or Twinnage. Members established links with the community nurse Helen ended her presentation by reminding us that we and the local care leaver’s team, which has resulted need to celebrate and applaud all we do as the current in people being referred to them. We need to believe custodians of the Society. We need to continue to be that we can do more, and Helen believes that where we that shining light (of the cross) in the lives of the many have our mission at heart we will attract new members. people in need. With this uplifting message, Canon The St Vincent’s centre in Leeds was cited by Helen as Ryder closed the festival meeting with a blessing, and one good example of innovating and finding different members went away with renewed hope in their hearts.
14 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 15 Society News
Work, rest and play During the summer months it was that time of year again when around 400 volunteers gave up a week of their time to take as many as 1,500 children away for a week’s holiday on one of our seven Vinnie Camps that run around the country.
During the week the volunteers provided a range of
activities for the children including arts and crafts, Holy Island Camp helpers swimming, canoeing, gorge walking, treasure hunts, abseiling, visits to the beach and many more. The They are with the children from 7am when they get up picture right shows how the Holy Island volunteers also until around 10pm when they go to bed, and they make got involved in the talent show on the final evening sure that each child is treated as an individual and any The volunteers all underwent intense mandatory training specific requirements are being met. on issues such as health and safety, safeguarding and “The Board of the SVP is very proud of the work mental health awareness to fully equip them to support undertaken by these volunteers each year,” the children who had a wide range of different needs. commented Trustee Vince McAllister. “Without their incredible efforts so many children would not get the holidays they so desperately need.” Papal Nuncio visits Speaking about the value of Cromer House, Bishop Cromer House Alan said: “This is just one of many social action The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Edward Adams, initiatives which take place across the diocese, who is, in effect, the Pope’s ambassador to Britain, promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ of love.” has made an official visit to Cromer House, the SVP’s The Papal Nuncio’s tour also included the celebration new house of multiple occupation for homeless of Mass at St John The Baptist Cathedral in Norwich, people in Sheringham, Norfolk. a visit to several Catholic schools in Peterborough Archbishop Edward performed a blessing on the and a visit to Walsingham. house which has just been bought by the Society to Archbishop Edward commented: “I want to thank house up to 10 homeless people. Bishop Alan for giving me the opportunity to come to His visit was part of a four-day tour of the Diocese the diocese and see the reality of the church and the of East Anglia at the invitation of the Bishop of East people and to be able give the Pope an idea of the life Anglia, Rt Rev Alan Hopes. of the Christian community in this part of the world.”
Sun, sand and frescoes More than 40 older people from Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire enjoyed a sunny summer’s day out at the seaside courtesy of the SVP Conference at St Teresa’s in the town. The beneficiaries – all members of the Conference’s ‘Coffee & Company’ social events that are held at St Teresa’s every Tuesday – travelled by coach to the south coast resort of Worthing where they enjoyed lunch. Then they headed off to English Martyrs Church in nearby Goring-on-Sea which is famous for its replica of the Sistine Chapel on its ceiling. The amazing frescoes were painted by Goring parishioner Gary Bevans and took him five and a half years to complete. The day-trippers enjoyed a fascinating talk on Bevans’ work on the church and elsewhere before attending Mass celebrated by Mgr Sean Healey.
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A wander about the Wildes Recently members of Saffron Walden’s SVP Conference assisted the staff of Hatherley House residential home by taking a group of residents out for the afternoon to the beautiful Essex village of Finchingfield, a pristine village just 20 minutes south east of Saffron Walden.
The Conference headed for a new restaurant that recently opened adjacent to the village pub called ‘Wildes’. Places had been reserved for the party of around 20. The staff were extremely helpful in assisting folk to their tables, it also helped that Wildes is wheel- cumulatively are nearly 200. As the group of ducklings chair friendly. Later members ‘took a turn’ round the were swimming around the pond overseen by two common next to the duck pond. The sun arrived as did drakes, one lady said with a degree of concern: “I the ducklings perfectly on cue. wonder where the mother duck has gone?” The other SVP member Nicola tells us of a snippet of a lady replied: “Why do you think there is a mother duck, conversation between two of the group, whose ages perhaps they are just in a modern relationship?”
Par-tea time at St Alban’s St Alban’s Conference in Macclesfield held their annual tea party in April, serving tea and cake to a delighted party of 24. The attendees were entertained with a pianist and a game of bingo with prizes. Conference secretary Frank says: “A lovely afternoon was had by all and a grateful thank you to everyone involved for all their hard work.”
Worth her weight in... jam! One day a few months ago, an SVP member and Paula and her her husband were having a well-deserved pot of husband washed tea and a jam scone in a popular café on the Isle of the pots and Man, when a chance enquiry resulted in a successful attached labels fundraising idea for her Conference. saying: “For your As she tucked into her scone, Paula Sutton, treasurer SVP. Please fill with of the SVP Conference at the two small churches of silver coins and St Mary’s, Castletown, and St Columba’s, Port Erin, on return.” the Isle of Man, asked the young waiter clearing the With their parish table: “What happens to these jampots when the priest’s permission, jam’s used up?” these jampots where placed in the porch at the back She explained that she was with the SVP and asked of church, and as one filled up it was replaced with whether he would save them for her so she could another. And the jampots did indeed fill up – fast! recycle them. The following week he gave her two The Conference has been banking an average of bags containing around 50 single-serve jampots. around £100 a month from the jampots scheme. All he asked was for her to say a prayer for him and “That’s a lot for our small parish and substantially his family. boosts our other fundraising efforts,” says Paula.
16 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 17 Warm hearts and flasks at St Dyfrig
Conference Mary Richards and her fellow Conference members at St Dyfrig Conference in Pontypridd have thought of an ingenious way to help the homeless community that exists in Cardiff and the surrounding areas.
Members have given out hot water bottles and flasks to homeless individuals, and have spoken with local pubs, cafes and other establishments in the area and asked that they give people a place to fill up their flasks and bottle with hot water. Faith in action Many places have agreed and are providing invaluable A Faith in Action event took place on Saturday assistance to people who are great need, particularly 11 May hosted by a new Conference at Good during the winter months. Shepherd in Colne, Lancashire, who also provided an excellent lunch and refreshments. There were 41 members and two trainers covering six Conferences from the Blackburn, Burnley and Accrington district and one Conference from Swinton, Manchester. Over half of the attendees were new members in the last six months. There was great participation from the attendees in the interactive sessions and 98% of the evaluation returns rated the day excellent or good. The Faith in Action course covers history of the Society, spirituality, Catholic social teaching, Conference activities and case studies, as well as giving attendees the chance to talk and share with members from other Conferences. Anyone wishing to take the course should get in touch with their central council training officer.
90 years of service! The SVP Conference at St Mary’s in Woolton, Liverpool, held one of its regular healing Masses in the spring and the event had its highest turn out yet after it was combined with a special ‘thank you’ to two long-serving members who between them have given 90 years of work to the Society.
The two men - ex-president George Flattery who joined in 1968 and former treasurer David Keane who joined in 1986 – were each presented with a medal and certificate at the start of the Mass in recognition of the tremendous contribution they’d both made to St Mary’s parish. And at the end of the Mass, the members all headed over to the parish hall for some celebratory hot pot, trifle, coffee and cakes.
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Finding home on the hillside Earlier this year, BBC Radio 4 visited a sheep farm in the Yorkshire Dales with ESOL students from St Vincent’s Support Centre in Leeds. BBC Radio presenter, Caz Graham, joined Julie Linley, Education Manager, and a group of students to enjoy this annual adventure. Of all the places we find the SVP, high up in the hills of the Yorkshire Dales is perhaps one of the more intriguing. This year St Vincent’s took ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners out in the rolling countryside to assist local sheep farmer Rodney in one of his busiest seasons, lambing season. The visit was part of a programme organised by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust called ‘People in the Dales.’ Amongst the miles of green and drystone walls, students from St Vincent’s were herding lambs, caring for them and learning more about the history of sheep farming. Many of the English language learners on the trip were from an asylum seeker or refugee background. St Vincent’s has a long history of supporting people who Supporting our have fled persecution and are rebuilding their lives in the UK. neighbours in Kerala The Our Lady and St Kenelm Asylum seekers are often highly skilled professionals Conference in Halesowen with a range of qualifications from their home country, were recently allocated but are unable to work in the UK. This can lead to funds via a legacy to help feelings of isolation. Volunteering trips, like this one, are with housing renovation one of many of St Vincent’s activities that give people for the Conference of an opportunity to contribute locally, share their skills Mother Teresa Church and build social connections. Through these activities, in Melariyode in Kerala learners often find that their confidence, language skills following the monsoon last and overall wellbeing have improved. year. While the situation Caz Graham, the shows presenter, asks Julie: “How can is no longer an emergency, people’s lives are such a difference be made in only one day?” still affected by the aftermath, and many are “I think sometimes it’s just that feeling of wellness.” Julie rebuilding their homes and businesses following replies. “It’s that feeling of ‘wow’ there is something out the devastating floods. Two Conference there, there are some beautiful parts in this country. members, Jane and David Clarke have raised I think a lot of people miss places that they’ve left. funds locally for many years to support people in Someone told me the hills in the Yorkshire Dales are need in Kerala and visit two to three times a year just like Pakistan. It’s finding that connection to places to provide person-to-person support. The funds they’ve been, places people love, and finding a little bit have been put to good use, directly supporting of that love here as well.” the reconstruction of the homes of two families, repairing dangerous electrical issues and If you would like to listen to the full podcast you can plastering, and supporting the completion of two scan the QR code here, or go to www.bbc.co.uk/sounds rooms in one of the homes. and search for “On Your Farm”. The programme is called “Lambing with Refugees.”
18 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 19 SVP 1833
Young people making a difference Kent University Library At Kent University the SVP 1833 group has been running for the last 15 years. This has always been a vibrant community of very diverse individuals, from Europe and afar, concerned for the well-being of others and wanting to engage in meaningful acts of charity, writes student and member James Wheadon.
We have had many achievements, recently, that we can look back on such as raising money and collecting clothes to help victims of the Italian As a Conference, we always make sure that everyone can earthquakes in 2016, a ‘Grace Project’, consisting help out in some way either through outreach or through of a talent show and musical performances, with baking or financial support (we have no bank account or the local SVP groups to raise money for winter parish to collect from so must work for every penny). clothing for the homeless of Canterbury, and a Our homeless outreach consisted of us going out homeless sleep out on our University campus to every week come rain, ice, snow, or wind, giving soup raise awareness of the issue of homelessness in and hot drinks to the homeless with the main task of Canterbury. spending some time with people living on the streets. We were able to talk to them, get to know them and pray with them as well. There is nothing more inspiring than to see people who are down on their luck not abandoning God in their desperate circumstances.
We also have worked for each by initiating a ‘text a prayer’ group where individuals send messages to a group who then will pray for that intention. This was started three years ago and is still going strong with all members remaining.
Overall, here at Kent we are experiencing tough times with the loss of our chaplaincy, but we hope to continue and expand the work that we do to make a difference to the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves here in Canterbury.
There is nothing more inspiring than to see people who are down on their luck not abandoning God in their desperate circumstances.”
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A new source of Conference funds A potential new source of funding for SVP Conferences is now available to help with projects for beneficiaries.
Acts 435 is a registered charity that was founded by multi-millionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, Julian Richer, who is best known as Managing Director of hi-fi retailer Richer Sounds.
A multi-denominational organisation, it is inspired by the works of the early church as described in the Bible in Acts 4:35, when the early Christian disciples shared their possessions and passed money to the apostles to give to anyone who had need.
The idea is that churches and charities can apply for small grants for beneficiaries – perhaps just £50 to help someone in debt, for example, or as much as £120 to buy a specific item like a cooker or a bed. Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu
Applications for funds can be made via the Acts 435 I am proud that the Church website but a Conference would need to first select one or more of its members to be ‘Advocates’ to make any is taking practical steps to applications and subsequently administer distribution help those facing practical of the funds. difficulties.” Acts 435 wants to work with charities that have safeguarding policies governing their work with vulnerable adults, as well as compliance with laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means that SVP Conferences are very well placed to take part in the scheme.
So far the charity has shared more than £1.8 million among 18,760 people in need and SVP Conferences are being encouraged to tap into this significant source of funding by applying online at www.acts435.org.uk
The patron of the charity, the Anglican Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, says: “Acts 435 is a fantastic initiative… It is a very simple idea but a very exciting one! I am proud that the Church is taking practical steps to help those facing practical difficulties.”
To find out more visitwww.acts435.org.uk
20 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 21 Social Justice
How do we measure poverty? Matt Padley, a research fellow at Loughborough University, was a keynote speaker at the SVP National Meeting, where he examined the question of how to define and measure poverty in England and Wales. Here he summarises his presentation.
What is poverty? Such an apparently straightforward question can elicit many sometimes conflicting responses: ‘poverty is something that happens in other countries, not in the UK’; ‘poverty is about real destitution, having nothing’, ‘poverty is about not having the stuff that other people take for granted – food, a roof over your head, clothes and so on’. opposite can happen, despite the fact that everyday life may not have changed at all for those just above or just None of these answers are wrong, but they do point to below this line. And this points to an issue with defining the difficulty of pinning down a definition of poverty. On and measuring poverty using a ‘relative income’ line – it an individual level, this may have little consequence: is not shaped by, and does not tells us anything, about our own responses to this question will be shaped less the lived experience of ‘not having enough,’ of ‘going by definitional disagreement, and more by our life without’, of having to choose between ‘heating or eating’. experiences, our beliefs, our political persuasion – our views on what the world should be like – and this in turn Tracking the numbers of people living below this line is will shape our actions and behaviour. important in assessing the impact of, for example, policy change or economic shifts, but there is so much more However, at a societal level the multi-dimensional to developing an understanding of poverty than simply nature of poverty does pose a challenge to defining categorising people as being above or below a line. and measuring poverty. According to the latest UK government data, 22% of the population are currently In order to really get to grips with what poverty is in the living in ‘relative income’ poverty. What this means is UK today, we do need some way of judging the scale of that there are 14 million people who live in households the issue, but this should be a starting point, not the end with incomes below a level that is considered to of the conversation. represent poverty – or the poverty line – set at 60% of If 14 million people in the UK don’t have enough according contemporary median household income. to our existing poverty indicator, what does this mean This relative poverty line is not fixed but will change for those people? What is the impact of this on their according to what happens to incomes across society day-to-day lives, on their aspirations and ambitions, in any given year. If incomes are rising, this may result on how children get on in school, on relationships? How in a higher poverty line and an increase in the numbers does poverty intersect with mental health or addiction defined as living in poverty; if incomes fall, then the or physical health? What does poverty mean for streets, communities, towns and cities? Poverty is not just about where I stand in relation to others in terms of my In order to really get to grips resources, it is about my experience of the world. with what poverty is in the UK So let’s continue tracking the numbers below a poverty today, we do need some way of line, but let’s also work with those who face these day- to-day challenges; let’s argue for actions that improve judging the scale of the issue, but people’s incomes, but let’s also listen to and learn from this should be a starting point, those experiencing poverty, supporting and empowering not the end of the conversation.” people to shape their future experience of the world. Simply, let’s act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
20 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 21 Expert Opinion
Helping others to die well Delegates at the SVP National Meeting in End-of-life companions in hospitals Loughborough were told how the SVP model of Some 28 hospitals have end-of-life companionship befriending those in need was being applied to schemes staffed by volunteers. They support patients ‘end-of-life companions’ who befriend the dying. by taking on a number of responsibilities: This was explained by Maggie Doherty, Director • Listening to their needs of the Art of Dying Well, a centre based at St • Giving guidance by signposting them to the Mary’s University in London, with a mission to appropriate professionals offer accompaniment for the final stages of the • Showing understanding and compassion appropriate human journey. to individual needs Maggie made no apology for raising such a “gloomy” • Maintaining patient confidentiality subject, as she put it. “Naturally, most of us in some way • Communicating concerns about the patient, family or are in revolt at the prospect of dying,” she said. “We carer to the ward nursing team put it at the back of our minds. But I want to say to you • Ensuring that families and carers have access to two things: firstly, I believe in the value and dignity of refreshments and are aware of the facilities available every human person – that means you – and secondly, to them I believe that everyone is lovable in the eyes of God, • Exercising discretion when working in sensitive situations despite all our weaknesses and failures.” • Demonstrating an awareness of the role within the Maggie explained that end of life companions are there Volunteer Companionship Service and ensuring to accompany friends, relatives or complete strangers appropriate signposting to other members of the who would otherwise be alone in the final stages of their multidisciplinary team life journeys – whether that’s at home, in a hospital or in • Working as part of a team and accepting supervision a hospice. and direction from the ward nursing staff and the One of our biggest fears is to die alone, she pointed out. volunteer manager In the UK, nearly one in two of us will die in hospital, one • Participating in regular review meetings – debriefing in six in a care home, one in five at home and only one sessions with other volunteers and the volunteer in 20 in a hospice. manager
But she asked: “Is it possible to find a companion who is • Promoting the companionship service within willing to spend time with us and indeed our families in designated wards the last months, weeks and days of our life whether we • Participating in ongoing education activities relevant find ourselves at home, in a care home, in a hospital or to the role in a hospice?” End-of-life ‘doulas’ So what does it take to be such a companion? And how The term ‘doula’ is derived from a Greek word meaning do we know where to find this companionship? ‘servant woman’. It’s often loosely translated as
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‘midwife’ but means far more than that, according to sooner or later we will all undergo. The wake teaches Maggie. A doula is a guide, friend and support for a us something about how to die. It also teaches us woman in childbirth and, just as a doula is there to be a something about how to love and, crucially, how to live.” companion in birth, an end-of-life doula exists to be a Compassionate Neighbours companion in death. This is precisely the philosophy of St Joseph’s Hospice End of Life Doula UK is part of a network of organisations in East London, Maggie pointed out. Founded in 1905 by affiliated to the Living Well Dying Well programme which the Religious Sisters of Charity, it is one of the oldest and is itself a national organisation offering fully-certified largest hospices in the UK. training courses. They are there to provide support – in all its manifestations – to people with a terminal diagnosis. “People come to St Joseph’s not to die, but to live – to live fully in what time remains for them, surrounded by But a terminal diagnosis is not the end, Maggie stressed. family, friends and dedicated carers,” she said. “On the contrary, with proper support and sensitive understanding, it can lead people onto new pathways What St Joseph’s does is promote a scheme known as they had never thought existed. Strangely – counter- ‘Compassionate Neighbours’ which takes their unique intuitively – I would say miraculously, these pathways approach to caring for the dying out into the community may be nothing short of new beginnings enabling the beyond their own four walls. And there are now eight dying to review their past and future lives afresh.” hospices in total involved in Compassionate Neighbours.
The problem is that in Britain we have lost our way with “Illness can isolate people and terminal illness can make death, she said, and it has become a subject no-one such isolation unbearable,” Maggie observed. “I suppose wants to talk or think about. what we at the Centre for the Art of Dying Well want to do is show that there is no burden that can’t be shared.” “That’s the question The Art of Dying Well is trying – albeit tentatively – to answer. Why should we deny? She pointed out that ‘Marie Curie Companions’, ‘End- Why can’t we accept? Acceptance will not take away of-Life Doulas’, ‘Compassionate Neighbours’, ‘End-of the pain of grief, but it will bestow on it the kind of Life Companions’ were all different names for the same resignation that makes healing possible. thing – for men and women like the SVP’s members who have the gift of friendship and who want to share it. “All too often when death happens in a high-tech hospital it happens in private, away from the public. It’s “It is often said that time is one of the greatest gifts we as if we’re embarrassed by death – even, strange to say, can give. Staff and volunteers at the St Vincent de Paul ashamed of it. Death is somehow seen as a failure.” Society know this very well. Every week of every year they can be found giving freely of this most precious Maggie called for death to be restored to its rightful resource by visiting people, young and old, in care place as a natural, inescapable reality whose homes, prisons, hospitals, hospices – in short wherever acceptance can enhance life rather than diminish it. the sick or the lonely are in need,” Maggie added.
She contrasted attitudes in this country to the ‘wakes’ “What we want to do is encourage others to follow held in Ireland. “The wake with its open coffin, its your lead and, with training and supervision, to give constant stream of visitors, its endless cups of tea (or of their time to be nothing more (nor less) than a the occasional nip of something stronger) is first and compassionate presence – a friend – at or approaching foremost a public and communal event. No hiding away that final farewell.” here. No embarrassment. No shame.”
She continued: “Death, too, is (or should be) a communal event with each of us supporting the other, helping each other through an experience that
I suppose what we at the Centre for the Art of Dying Well want to do is show that there is no burden that can’t be shared.”
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SVP tackling loneliness for Brighton’s elderly In June the SVP celebrated volunteers SVP volunteers Peter Cropp and his wife Jo have several week, in this article Anita Boniface, SVP decades worth of voluntary experience between them and were influential in the establishment of the centre. Senior Media and Communications Officer, takes a look some of the Peter explains: “I have been an SVP member for almost invaluable work that is undertaken 60 years, and as with all SVP members we visit people in their homes, offering friendship and support. by our volunteers at Tower House, Brighton, one of our community “With so many people we visited needing support projects dedicated to tackling companionship and being stuck at home, too frail to go out, we thought why not establish a centre where isolation in the local community. people can come together and talk and make friends.” Isolation is becoming a growing problem in Jo says: “Tower House Community Centre allows the Britain today, particularly for older people. people we visit as SVP members to meet one another Children often grow up and move away with face to face. their work, friends pass away, and an older “They often swap phone numbers and friendships are person can find themselves living alone with no born. Sometimes we get referrals from agencies, and one to visit or take them out. other times from hospital discharge teams. We, and That’s why the SVP set up a community centre for older other members who live locally, visit the person who has people in Brighton. been referred, and invite them to Tower House where we feel they might benefit from what it has to offer. ” The centre, called Tower House, is now in its second Doreen, an older lady with memory decline, and her year and runs a memory daughter and carer Karen, have recently started café, activity groups, and coming to Tower House to enjoy the activities. provides lunches to its Doreen says: “I love talking to other people, and I enjoy guests, mostly people sharing interests with them.” with cognitive decline, A former professional designer with a creative streak, and their carers.
24 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 25 Our volunteers are incredible. They have the special skills and qualities of compassion and listening which helps them deal with guests who come to the Memory Café.”
Doreen tells me: “I enjoyed the painting group” hosted by Tower House, Sarah King is SVP projects assistant at Tower House. On Tuesday, 4th June, Sarah, together with other Tower House staff organised a special day in celebration of their volunteers. Sarah says: “Our volunteers are incredible. They have the special skills and qualities of compassion and listening which helps them deal with guests who come to the Memory Café. health problems. I really wanted to volunteer in a shop, “As the focus is conversation, the volunteers will sit and St Vincent’s appealed. Not only had I learnt about down together with guests, and encourage them St Vincent de Paul, Patron Saint of the poor, at school to have a chat, picking up on sentences, to jog their in France, but I also felt the St Vincent’s shop was most memories where they may have lost the thread. ethical because it was more affordable, and because “It’s a very special quality of care, and allows people to the staff were very inclusive and welcoming.” feel connected.” Caroline also volunteers at St Vincent’s Community Frances is one of the volunteers at Tower House. She Shop and says: “By volunteering I feel part of the says: “Because I’m older too, it’s nice to be able to community. I’m 67 and retired, so it allows me to keep relate to many of the memories our guests chat about. my skills and alertness up to scratch. I love chatting to Brighton used to have a dance hall where I would often the customers and it’s very rewarding.” spend an evening. It’s lovely to reminisce with our guests about their similar experiences and allow them to relive happy memories that haven’t faded.” Elizabeth is another volunteer at Tower House. She says I really look forward to coming that she is less busy than she used to be, and enjoys here and meeting the guests. volunteering every fortnight because it gives her time some structure. It’s so meaningful. Many of Elizabeth says: “I really look forward to coming here the guests may have memory and meeting the guests. It’s so meaningful. Many of the problems. They forget our names, guests may have memory problems. They forget our but you can tell by the way they names, but you can tell by the way they smile that they recognise us.” smile that they recognise us.” As well as the volunteers at Tower House, the SVP also depends on volunteers for the St Vincent’s Community Shop on Lewis Road. If you would like to volunteer within any of our support projects please get in touch at Katrine is a volunteer at the Community Shop and says: [email protected] “I had to give up my healthcare job because of my own
24 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 25 CSP News
SVP retail arrives in Wales This year saw the expansion of the Society’s Leeds, Manchester and North Wales, and an amazing community support projects (CSPs) with the team of staff and volunteers. The team have been opening of two new community shops in Bangor instrumental in setting up the shop and it’s safe to say it’s and Wrexham and, following an extensive looking fantastic. If you’re in the area drop in and say hello! refurbishment, the re-opening of the Rees Way This year we also welcomed a new shop to Wrexham. Superstore in Bradford. Last month Kate Nightingale, SVP Deputy CEO and head The opening of the Rees Way Bradford Superstore was a of community support projects took a trip to the SVP proud moment for all the staff and volunteers involved, community shop to see how the team were getting along. including West Yorkshire Local Oversight Group as well as Kate says: “The shop looked amazing and is really well family and friends who worked weekends and late into situated in the High Street. the night to ensure that the store was ready to open its “Temporary shop manager Dianne has done a doors to the public. wonderful job to get things ready in time for us to open, On the day, St Vincent support centre staff provided food, helped by Beth in Llandudno who was an invaluable while pupils of St Bede’s School lent a hand by serving support. Julie and Susie from West Yorkshire also came refreshments; Bishop Marcus also joined to give a blessing. over to help for a day. A real team effort. Thank you.”
If you find yourself in Bradford and in need of a little Kate tells us: “What was noticeable was how many of retail therapy, drop by and visit the store - you never the locals wanted to know what the SVP did and how it know what helped local communities. It is really important that treasures you all our staff and volunteers can answer this important might find. question.”
Bangor shop While Dianne supported the opening of the shop, the opened in April of Wrexham unit is now being run by permanent manager this year and is Clair Shones. coming together All shops will be receiving a copy of a recent article that under the support was published in the VC and The Catholic Universe that of Jo Aspin, Area summarises beautifully how each SVP shop is different Manager for and how they are all helping locally.
26 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 27 Stay and Play At St Vincent’s Support Centre in Leeds there is always a flurry of activity: with its shop, café, support services and variety of group activities, there is always something going on.
For the past two years the centre has only added to the hustle and bustle with the addition of Stay and Play, an activity session for families and school age children each weekday through all of August.
Stay and Play is a project with families in mind. Many of the local families are eligible for free school meals during term time. But during the long summer holidays families can’t access this provision so the team at the centre decided to address that need at St Vincent’s.
Each day, children are offered two free meals - breakfast in the morning and a healthy lunch - as well as various activities including making penguins from old plastic bottles, visits to the local park to play football, and a day trip out each Thursday. The last day trip saw the children and their families at a local farm, playing in the sunshine and meeting the animals. As hiring a bus wasn’t cost efficient, the families, staff and volunteers all but took Local Conferences have lent their over a scheduled double decker bus to get there. support both financially and by The initiative has been a great way to help the local donating food to the centre. community. It has also worked as an effective form of If you are in the local area and would like to find engagement as families have been able to find other out more about any of the projects taking place forms of support, such as debt advice. Some of the at St Vincent’s please get in touch at parents are also planning to become volunteers at the [email protected] centre.
26 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 27 Conference innovation
Life after leaving care Helen O’Shea is National President and a The Care Leavers Team member of the SVP. Here she tells of how are responsible for offering her Conference works with care leavers. support to those young people leaving local The number of children in care has reached a authority care aged 18- record high, with 90 young people entering the 25. At this point the young people have to start care system each day, figures show. Helen O’Shea looking after themselves Amid ongoing cuts to children’s centres and local family in hostels or independent support services, the number of looked-after children in accommodation. They have to cope with securing England and Wales reached 72,670 last year – marking the further education or training or employment as well as biggest annual surge of children in care in seven years. facing everyday challenges of paying rent and bills. Council leaders have warned that funding cuts have What they really need is non-judgmental befriending, pushed children’s social services to “breaking point”, practical help and advice; the kind a family would with action only being taken to protect youngsters once normally provide. St Joan of Arc Conference has been they are at imminent risk of harm and on-going funding offering this to those young people referred by the local pressures leading to gaps in services that are putting authority. Many have been badly hit by the introduction children and families at risk. of Universal Credit, with the confusion and delay around And what happens to these children once they reach this leading to accumulated rent arrears and other adulthood? This was a question that bothered Nuala debts. This in turn has often led to acute anxiety about Ryan, President of St Joan of Arc Conference in Highbury the risk of eviction. North London at exactly the same time that the The Conference members have been able to listen, Conference was looking to find new ways of reaching signpost to other services, apply for grants where those most in need. Nuala contacted Islington local appropriate, and have put measures in place to make authority Care Leavers Team and the floodgates opened. the caseload manageable. These include meeting with the head of the Islington Leaving Care Team to set out exactly what help the SVP can offer and devising a Lucy’s story... simple referral form. Every local authority has a similar Leaving Care Team Lucy has been in care since she was a young (though it may have a different name) so if your child. She is 22 years of age and has a five year Conference thinks it can reach out and help the care old son. She lives in a housing association flat leavers in your area then contacting this service to and has always worked since leaving school. She discuss the need is a very good place to start. is carrying out a paid apprenticeship as a court liaison officer. She was in receipt of tax credits and had never been in debt. With the introduction of Universal Credit things began to go awry. There contacting the courts and the housing association and was a delay in payments and Lucy’s rent was not on how to arrange for her rent to be paid directly to the being paid. Furthermore over the Christmas period landlord. Many grant applications were made, including her wages were paid in twice in a month because to SVP Special Funds, the Central Council, David Youngs of the way the holidays fell and so her Universal and CHAS. As a result Lucy was able to stop the court Credit was stopped. Her rent arrears built up and case, stay in her flat, arrange a payment plan and retake she received an eviction notice. This caused her control of her finances. The Conference will continue enormous amounts of distress and anxiety. The to visit and offer support and Lucy knows she has SVP visited and took food and advised Lucy on somewhere to turn to for help and support.
28 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 29 Youth News
An Easter visit from St William’s Mini Vinnies As part of their Easter celebrations the Mini Vinnies from St William’s Catholic Primary School, Bradford, visited the Tuesday luncheon group at St William’s Church hall during Holy Week. Mini Vinnies give The children delivered Easter cards, which were made thumbs up to by the pupils, for the members who attend the weekly lunch led by Michelle Vink, Community Development SVP food project Worker for Catholic Care. She is supported by parish members at this weekly event. The parishioners were Mini Vinnies at Our Lady and St Kenelm thrilled to see the Mini Vinnies again. Easter cards were Catholic Primary School in Halesowen in also taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary. the West Midlands gave a warm welcome to Bob Service from Birmingham Central Council in March when he came to explain how the SVP had distributed unwanted supermarket food worth over £1 million to distribution centres around Birmingham.
The SVP is very grateful to the supermarket chain for its generous support. Mini Vinnies were able to examine the specially adapted SVP van used to deliver food daily. A dedicated team of 28 volunteers take it in turns to deliver food. The Mini Vinnies volunteered to raise funds during Lent to meet the cost of replacement tyres, MOT and car tax for the van.
28 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 29 Youth News
Serving the Lord, side by side A new Archbishop of Southwark has been installed and the SVP’s Moira Dawe, Young Vincentian Programme Manager, was there at the ceremony at St George’s Cathedral. Here she tells us about the event and the lessons she drew from the day.
Beginning an “Adventure of Grace” was how It was therefore the Most Reverend John Wilson described with tremendous his appointment as the 11th Archbishop of joy that I and Southwark in his first homily at his installation our team joined Mass in July. And it was a real privilege for the so many others SVP’s Young Vincentians team to be able to assembled attend this event in the dramatic gothic setting from far and of St George’s Cathedral, right next door to SVP wide to witness Archbishop national office in London. John’s response Moira Dawe with Archbishop John Wilson I was particularly looking forward to this Mass and to this new call to to seeing lots of familiar faces from the Diocese of serve his people. Leeds where Archbishop John had lived and worked The Mass itself was a beautiful, uplifting and spiritual previously. Having met him on many occasions when experience. Archbishop John spoke about the I lived in Yorkshire for nine years, I was always really importance of our faith and he called on each of us to inspired and touched by his example to all in his flock, play our parts in the flourishing of God’s kingdom. and his encouragement to each of us to pray, to respond, to serve and to trust. “The Lord needs you,” he said. “His Church needs you. This Archdiocese and its Archbishop, its parishes and its As priest and spiritual father, Archbishop John has schools, need you so that, united in faith, here and now, clearly demonstrated a huge love of Christ and those we can announce anew the joy of the Good News.” “Christ values” that are so like our SVP mission and our daily work here in the Society, and he is highly He added: “Side by side we can serve the Lord Jesus in committed to the education and faith development of the downtrodden and in the despairing, in the weakest all our young people. and in the poorest.” This message was so in keeping with that of our ‘Vincentian Charism’ and Our Young Vincentians’ At the SVP we are all called Mission. At the SVP we are all called to do what we can to reach out to those in need, to the marginalised, to do what we can to reach the poor, the vulnerable, the lonely, older people, the out to those in need, to the marginalised, the poor, the vulnerable, the lonely, older people, the disadvantaged and anyone in need, to turn our concern into action with that same merciful love, tenderness, care and compassion of Christ.”
30 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 31 Youth Feature
I was always really inspired Diary Date: Archbishop John Wilson and touched by his example will celebrate our first ever Youth SVP/ to all in his flock, and his B-Attitude Mass for all groups across encouragement to each of us to England and Wales at St George’s Cathedral, London, on pray, to respond, to serve and to Tuesday 3 March 2O2O at 2pm – all are very welcome to attend. trust.”
disadvantaged and anyone in need, to turn our concern further afield and to play our small part in spreading the into action with that same merciful love, tenderness, joy of the Gospel through a myriad of activities. care and compassion of Christ. Our Young Vincentian mission is one of love, of following Archbishop John spoke, too, about the importance of in the footsteps of St Vincent and planting those small pilgrimage. As pilgrims we are on a journey, he said, and seeds which one day will reap a rich harvest. we quietly bear witness to our faith as we go. Within the May all of us be blessed in the work we do, and may we Young Vincentians we are trying to set young people on continue to pray for the Most Reverend Archbishop John the right path for their pilgrimage, seeking to grow each of Wilson and all our clergy and laity as we seek together our individual youth apostolates: Mini Vinnies (7-11), Youth to walk humbly with our Lord, to serve those around us SVP (11-14), B-Attitude (14-18) and SVP 1833 (young adults). with joy and love. We want to identify needs in our local communities and
St Anselm’s celebrate 80 years of action This year the SVP’s longest serving Youth Conference, St Anselm’s College, celebrated their 80th anniversary, having started in 1939. The instigator, Robert Bernard “Bob” Stevenson, a life-long Vincentian, held meetings in the science lab along with members Joe Furlong who joined the college in 1937. This year the Conference celebrated another successful year, staying true to its core ethos of turning concern into action. A musical fundraiser was held, showcasing the talent of the College, raising funds to hold a local community Christmas party. The Conference then turned their efforts to the local area, cleaning up the New Brighton beach of bags full of rubbish. Despite the cold the team found it a rewarding experience. This year the Conference successfully raised £350 for a child to attend the Wirral SVP holiday camp by holding a cake sale plus the sale of donated gifts on Mother’s Day.
The Conference say they look forward to welcoming new members next years and continuing in their contributions to the Catholic life of the College. May they continue to do so for years to come.
30 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 31 Twinnage
Supporting Self-Sufficiency Our fellow SVP members in other countries work in very much the same way as we do, in Conferences that follow the model established by Frédéric Ozanam and our other founders. However, in other respects, many Conferences abroad have their own specific needs and challenges, writes recently-retired Twinnage Committee member, Vincent Naylor.
The Society’s Twinnage scheme provides great Among the many difficulties that families find themselves support for the twinned Conferences abroad in is that of a regular income. Work, particularly in where they, in turn, are able to help many more agriculture, can be seasonal or sporadic, especially but families with their day-to-day needs, in much not only in rural areas. Access to banks for small loans is the same way as Conferences here do. This help almost impossible for most families. So could the Society includes food, medicines, housing costs and provide families with a means of generating income? school expenses such as uniforms and books. Twinnage projects are a low-cost way of doing this. We are all familiar with such needs and our For example, the distribution of animals such as goats, support makes life that bit more bearable. cows and buffalos will provide milk for sale and in the case of buffalos, the hiring out as draught animals However, despite this similarity, Conferences in to pull carts or ploughs. The loss of nets, perhaps in a countries as diverse as India and Grenada have monsoon storm, can be devastating for fishing families. particular challenges that can be very different from A project to restore the nets will enable a man to begin those faced in England and Wales. fishing again and earn an income.
32 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 33 Other cases include the provision of sewing machines; sufficient and on developing the skills necessary to find training centres where skills such as joinery, electrical employment. There is also the dignity of people working work and computing can be learned; and seed-money for themselves and providing for their own families for credit unions. rather than relying on handouts.
One problem that was solved in a very practical way The cost of a project ranges from a few hundred was the distribution of bicycles for children who lived pounds to around £1,000 – not much in the scheme of some distance from school, enabling them to keep up things, yet many such projects would have been out with their schooling. of reach if it weren’t for Twinnage and help from SVP members in England and Wales. There are low-interest loan schemes. Such loans are repaid over a year or so and are then used to help other There is more information on the Twinnage section of families. One man used his small loan to buy a suitable the website. chair, scissors and other items so he could operate as a barber to earn money to keep his family. Another set If you or your Conference would himself up as a street vendor selling bananas and sweets. like to support a project All these and many more have been paid for by then contact your Central Council Twinnage Officer Conferences over the years since the scheme started. or email [email protected] The emphasis is on enabling families to become self-
A farewell from Vincent Vincent Naylor has retired from the National Twinnage Committee after 30 years of service. But he’s not leaving the SVP – he’s been a member since 1963 and will continue to be actively involved with his Conference at St Robert’s in Harrogate with his wife Madeleine.
On the National Twinnage Committee, Vincent had particular responsibility for administering the small-scale project applications from twinned countries.
“I have many memories of my four visits to India, most notably the people and their warm welcome received every time,” he recalls. “The SVP is one big family, sharing in this great Vincentian vocation.
“I was particularly struck by the member’s spirituality and enthusiasm for the work in hand. The Society in India is a great inspiration to us all.”
Vincent is a passionate proponent of the ideals of Twinnage.
“Over the 60 or so years of the scheme, it has helped so many families and individuals out of poverty, through education, employment and day-to-day support,” he says. “I will miss the NTC, but nevertheless will remain in contact with many friends made in India.”
Pictured left: Vincent Naylor (right) and his wife Madeleine (left) visiting a family in Kerala, India, in their new house paid for by St Robert’s Conference, Harrogate, under the Twinnage scheme.
32 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 33 Safeguarding
Fact-finding trip discovers hope Catherine Kerr, the SVP’s National Safeguarding Manager in England and Wales, travelled to South Sudan to take safeguarding best practice to our twinned brothers and sisters there. Here she tells of her experiences.
Through the Twinnage programme, the SVP in England and Wales has supported the life- saving work of the SVP in Sudan for decades and then, after independence in 2013, support has been provided separately to Conferences in South Sudan as well. Among other good works, the generosity of our members has meant that in those countries, babies have been fed, children have been educated, the sick have received medical treatment and trees have been planted.
Now we have begun to bring a new, non-financial kind of support to ensure that all of those that the SVP comes into contact with in our twinned countries including Sudan and South Sudan are safeguarded against abuse and exploitation. We believe this type of support is a theological imperative expressed in scripture and an essential part of living the Gospel message.
In addition, recognising that everyone has the right to live their life free from violence, fear and abuse, we believe safeguarding is also a matter of social justice expressed throughout all of the work the Society does, in a sprawling camp for internally displaced persons on whatever country that might be. the outskirts of the city. The residents of the camp were As the National Safeguarding Manager and with these virtually all women and children as so many of their responsibilities in mind, in June this year, I travelled husbands and fathers and other male relatives had to Juba in South Sudan along with Ian Mawdsley, our been killed in the brutal civil and tribal wars that have long-time and very dedicated Twinnage Committee been fought village by village ever since independence. representative for the region. I also called at the oasis that is the SVP’s Lologo Centre, My goals were to familiarise myself with safeguarding purpose built to educate and feed 1,000 children challenges inherent in caring for the most vulnerable every week. And I stayed at the Lologo guest house, a beneficiaries in the world’s newest country: war-torn, beautiful four-bedroom cottage rented out to local aid unstable and grindingly poor. Specifically, I went to workers seeking respite and to SVP visitors such as Ian meet key members, staff and volunteers who oversee and myself. the delivery of humanitarian, development and Yet I returned to the UK armed with so much more than Conference aid in the Juba region, to observe key mere numerical data on projects, beneficiaries and projects and to begin the assessment of safeguarding observational notes. I came back more inspired than risks in all of these activities. ever by the work of the SVP in turning faith into action Over six days, I visited individual beneficiaries in and the Society’s vision for our beneficiaries to have ramshackle shelters with Conference members hope together with a sense of dignity, well-being and bringing food, clothing and to pray together. I went to peace in their lives.
34 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 35 Members’ Info
Awareness Month: have your say Each September SVP Conferences take part The materials for Awareness Month are made with ‘Love your in Awareness Month, where members across neighbour’ England and Wales go the extra mile promoting Conferences in mind, and means... the work that takes place in their local each year we take on board Helping Parents and Children communities. your feedback to continually improve the materials made Geraldine loves Members talk to their local parishes using tailor made her neighbour. available, to make sure that Do you? Jesus said: “Love God and resources and materials, telling them about the ways in love your neighbour.” SVP members get the most And loving your neighbour means helping them when which they support their local area, and the work that they’re in need. out of Awareness Month. That’s what we do in the SVP. Join us, we need you. takes place throughout the Society as a whole. Watch our video... Your neighbour needs you.
Scan me With kind thanks to The next Awareness Month to hear The theme of this year’s Awareness Month raised the Geraldine’s story feedback survey will be question: “What does love my neighbour mean to me?” Join the SVP - Turn Your Concern into Action SVPEnglandWales arriving in your inbox SVPenglandandwales visit svp.org.uk We spoke to six SVP members from across different Registered charity number 1053992 shortly. You will be able to central councils, and asked them how they love tell us which materials you may have found useful and their neighbour, and what this means to them. These which could have been improved, and space to leave members were then featured on the supporting posters your comments. This is a great opportunity to provide and spoke in videos which were made available by meaningful feedback to support the improvement of scanning QR codes on these posters. these materials. Please let us know what you think!
When an accident happens The reporting of accidents, incidents and Occurrences Regulations) and if so will file a report near misses, especially minor ones, is a useful on your behalf. way for the Society to identify and address Risk Assessments prevent accidents potential problem areas and hopefully help Health and safety law should not be a barrier to a to prevent future accidents. These are often Conference’s activities. Taking a sensible approach not recorded because they are deemed is the key to making sure things go smoothly and insignificant, yet including these accidents safely, avoiding unnecessary accidents. can enable preventative measures to be The Health and Safety at Work Act requires the introduced. Society to protect the health and safety of the Around 10,000 members volunteer with the SVP, yet people we employ and our members, so when only three accidents have been reported by them to planning an event, a Conference should always the national office in the last three years. undertake a risk assessment. This isn’t about creating paperwork but rather about identifying All accidents that occur, while undertaking activities sensible measures to control the risks and ensure on behalf of the SVP, should be recorded in the members and attendees alike are safe. ‘Accident Book’ which should be on the premises, and on an ‘SVP Accident Reporting Form’. Both Any documentation referred to in this article should be sent to Matthew Stockton at the national can be found on the members’ area of the SVP office and the accident reported to your Conference website under Policies and Procedures. If you have President. Matthew will then decide from your report any questions regarding best practices in health if the accident needs to be reported under RIDDOR and safety, please contact Matthew Stockton at (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous [email protected]
34 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 35 Fundraising
National Fundraising Campaign Ken Madine, the SVP’s head of fundraising, communications and marketing, outlines his fundraising plans. The SVP Board of Trustees’ vision and ambitious plans for the future were outlined in a previous edition of Vincentian Concern.
While they focus on mission, members and money, it is the third of these that will make it possible to advance the first two. Plans for the Society’s first ever national fundraising campaign to raise the funds needed to turn the vision into reality are now well advanced. A Steering Following the recent appointment of a film Group, led by National President, Helen O’Shea, has production company, a 10-minute promotional been meeting over the last 12 months to define the case video will be produced in the autumn. It will focus on for support, agree the campaign strategy, undertake stories of people who have been supported by the research into potential donors and recruit leadership SVP, reflecting the Society’s Vincentian approach for the campaign. A Campaign Board is also being and charism and it will be a powerful component in established and will be chaired by Aidan Birkett, who has presenting the campaign to potential donors over the generously supported the Society’s work for many years. next two years or so. A meeting with Cardinal Vincent Nichols is due to take place in early autumn, to brief him on the campaign and Pilot activities will take place in Northampton, discuss his involvement and role as a Patron of the SVP. Portsmouth and Shrewsbury National Councils in the coming months, and the campaign will be Following consultation with the Board of Trustees, rolled out from next year. It will be launched publicly National Council and staff, the name chosen for the when significant progress has been made towards campaign is Rise to the Challenge. This reflects how the the target or when momentum suggests it will be Board’s plans will enable the Society to respond to the achieved. In the meantime, communications about increasing needs our members are facing in their local the campaign will be focused internally. communities and is a call to action to all those who would like to support our plans financially over the next Further details about the campaign will be provided in four years. All campaign materials and web pages will the next issue of Vincentian Concern and updates will carry this visual identity. be included in the Members E-Newsletter.
Updated Gift Aid envelope design The Society’s Gift Aid envelope has been updated, taking into account members’ feedback on the previous version.
While the format is unchanged, the refreshed design aligns broadly with this year’s Awareness Month theme of “Love your Neighbour” and the Society’s major focus on our members and their work.
Supplies are available from the National Office and can be ordered via the members’ area of the website or by calling 0207 703 3030.
36 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 37 Behind the scenes at National Office
Focusing on social media The SVP’s new Digital Media Officer, digital-first environments Kirsty Fraser, introduces herself. – United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), In my new role I’m excited to help grow the Global Blue, Cravenhill organisation’s social and digital presence Publishing and Habitat for so we can better raise awareness of the Humanity New York City amazing breadth of work our members and – producing content for staff do every day. digital and social media, building websites and I’m originally from Scotland but raised in the Balkans designing a thing or two. and the Middle East. While this means I lost my Scottish twang, from a young age I was exposed to a I’m now thrilled to join the growing team here at SVP lot of international issues I had only heard about on England and Wales where I’ll be running our social the news. I found my passion for animal welfare on media channels and helping to implement social and the streets of Albania and Kosovo where my family digital strategies. For example, keep your eyes out for and I rehomed over 50 four-legged strays. In Israel, I new microsites – or mini websites – from the Young lived in the middle of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Vincentians, Twinnage and CSP’s in the coming months! conflict and saw violence and injustice often go On weekends, you’ll find me being bossed about by overlooked by mainstream media. my Brooklyn rescue cat, Kiki, eating my way through I wanted to equip myself with the tools to share London’s desserts or bingeing the latest crime show these stories, so I moved to the US where I studied on Netflix. magazine journalism at Syracuse University. I have If you have any questions about social or digital since worked for a variety of organisations that please send them my way to [email protected] allowed me to mix my storytelling background with
Welcoming Emily We speak to Emily Dresser, the SVP’s the City, a real eye opener into fundraising and the New Trusts Relationship Officer corporate world. A year was long enough for me to know that working for a charity was where I wanted to be. I am excited to join the SVP as the new Trusts Fundraising is key to the success of our Society and in Relationship my recent visits to our projects in Leeds, Bradford and officer. I am based Brighton I have seen just how much we are involved in in the national and how vital these funds are to the work we do. I am office full time and I looking forward to visiting our Conferences and other am looking forward special projects soon as there is so much we can do to working with and offer people in our communities. staff, volunteers and members Outside of work I am a keen violinist, I play in an across the country amateur orchestra, we rehearse regularly and have with our Society’s quarterly concerts. On weekends you can usually find me escaping the city to the south coast where I projects. regularly take part in sailing races. Before SVP I was Please email me at [email protected] for any help or working in the private advice on trust applications. equity sector in
36 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 37 CEO’s Message
Filling our reservoirs This magazine should reach you around the feast day of and hear from six SVP members St Vincent de Paul (27 September). talking about this year’s theme of “Love your neighbour.” Many of our Central Councils hold their festival meetings around this time and I would encourage all members As we come together in meetings to attend. Festival meetings enable members from and in conversation throughout Awareness Month, it is many Conferences to come together in the spirit of the worth thinking about not only how we support those who Vincentian fraternity, worship together and reflect on their need it most, but also how we support each other and how work. They are a wonderful opportunity for members to by doing so, we can continue to keep our reservoirs full to “recharge” their Vincentian batteries - as St Vincent de Paul bring support to those who need it most. said; “We must be full reservoirs in order to let our water On the feast day of St Vincent we will be launching a new spill out without becoming empty.” fund to encourage Conference innovation, so watch out for I would like to remind you that our staff at the national office more information in the next members e-newsletter. can be invited to speak at festival and other meetings, Happy feast day. so please don’t hesitate to get in touch should this be of interest. While St Vincent de Paul was well-known for his sage advice, he was also a great innovator, I wonder what he would have made of this year’s Awareness Month materials which we supported for the first times with video footage and scannable QR codes? If you haven’t had a chance to see them take a look at the SVP YouTube channel Elizabeth Palmer
Remembering those we have lost With deepest regret we announce the deaths of the following Katherine Moore: Kathy was a long time and inspirational valued members: member of the St John Fisher Conference, North Harrow, Thomas (Tom) Bradley: Tom had been a member of the St always sunny and willing to take responsibility. We pray for her Mary’s Conference, Willenhall for over 65 years. He passed family and the repose of her soul. away on 1 March. May he rest in peace. Tim O’Sullivan OBE: A long-standing member and former George Flattery: George gave 58 years to St Mary’s SVP as secretary for many years at Our Lady and St Illtyd, Llantwit an ex-president and former treasurer. He died peacefully at Major with St Cadoc’s Conference, Cowbridge who died aged home on Saturday 6 July, our thoughts and prayers are with his 92 years. May he rest in peace. family at this sad time. Cath Quinn: Cath has been a valued member of the St Frank Game: Former member of the Faithful Virgin, Upper Cuthbert’s Conference in North Shields for many years and Norwood Conference. passed peacefully following a short illness. May the Holy Spirit bring peace to her family. Edward (Eddie) Garvey: Founding Treasurer of St John’s and St Thomas of Canterbury Conference. Eddie showed a true Jim Lowery and Edward (Ted) Russell: Two very longstanding Vincentian spirit for the people he met and he will be greatly members of the Society, St Andrew Conference, Cottam, missed. Jim and Ted between them served the Society for over 70 years. Simply put - a lifetime achievement. Colin Hadley: Former Croydon district president and Coulsdon Conference president, Colin died peacefully on the 7 May at Tom Richardson: A kind-hearted and committed member home with his family. He was greatly admired for his courage of the St Bede’s Conference, Jarrow. Tom showed a true during the past years of his illness. Vincentian spirit. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace. Bert Hustwit: Bert was a kind generous and gentle man who loved his family and home, he joined St Columba’s SVP in the Ivor Sartour: A kind, committed and active former member of 1960’s then moved to the Conference of St Brendan in 1973. Bert Christ the King Conference, Chingford, passed away on 7 May. and his gentle jokes are very sadly missed. May he rest in peace. Mary McNulty: Long-serving member of the former Church Valerie (Val) Waddell: Val had been a member of St Joseph’s of the Annunciation Conference (now The Padley Martyrs Conference in Darlaston since 2017. She passed away on 23 Conference) in Chesterfield. May she rest in peace. Feb and her requiem mass took place on 13 March 2019 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Darlaston.
May they rest in peace. Where provided by a family member, full obituaries can be displayed on the main SVP website.
38 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 39 CHAS David Young’s Charity Catholic Housing Aid Society The trustees of the David Young’s Charity are aware of
CHAS (West London) was established in 1965 with the work that the Society undertakes at all levels. Some the aim to assist anyone with a financial housing cases need more support than normal and even after problem. For instance, the Trustees would consider DC and/or CC assistance, there may be a shortfall. As supporting someone with rent arrears who may a separate registered Charity, we can try to assist any be in danger of being evicted. However we are a member of the Society who may have fallen on hard ‘specialised fund’ and cannot make grants for more times. Any applications for grants must be sent with any general purposes. The fund works closely with the other documentation that would prove helpful to the St Vincent de Paul Society throughout England and Trustees for consideration. Wales and, where applications are made through The reply should be received within 30 days. As a Special the SVP, we would expect the SVP to be committed Work of the Society, we are able to receive donations to the particular case they are submitting with time from Conferences, Councils and individual members. and appropriate funds. Although £250 is a general We are most grateful for those received in the past and amount for a grant, consideration is given to the it is helpful for administrative purposes to send cheques circumstances of each case and the amount is made out to the David Young’s Charity. varied accordingly. The trustees of the SVP have approved support of DYC. An application form can be downloaded from For further information, an application form or any guidance please contact: www.chas-uk.org or obtained from Noreen Villiers by The Trustees of the David post, 46 Bradley Road, London SE19 3NS, or email at Young’s Charity, Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge . Visit the David Young’s Charity [email protected]. Road, London, SE1 7JB Please submit the application to Noreen Villiers with website: www.davidyoungscharity.co.uk or email as much supporting detail and documentation as [email protected] possible in order to receive the full consideration of the Trustees. Registered Charity Number 238877.
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St Scholastica’s Retreat is an Almshouse for practising Catholics who are aged 0 years or over, who are of limited financial means, and who are capable of living independently in a self contained flat We have 3 modern self contained flats in an attractive position with shared spacious gardens The Retreat is in easy wal ing distance of the parish church and all amenities or more information, please visit our website www stscholasticas co u and or contact The Warden, Revd Seán Duffy on 01844 344437 at 27, The Retreat, Princes Risborough, HP27 0JG info stscholasticas co u Registered Charity 203 83
38 St Vincent de Paul Society Turning Concern into Action call us on 020 7703 3030 email [email protected] 39 About the SVP 2019 - 2020 Dates for the diary Board Meetings
Friday 22 November (NC in evening and following day) Hinsley Hall, Leeds Thursday 19 March National Office, London Friday 15 May National Office, London The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is an international (NC meeting following day) Christian voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling Thursday 16 July poverty and disadvantage by providing practical National Office, London assistance to people in need - irrespective of ideology, Thursday 17 September, Friday 18 faith, ethnicity, age or gender. & Saturday 19 September 2020 The Society is a lay organisation initially formed in Paris in 1833 Walsingham (for retreat) TBC by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and his companions, and active Friday 20 November 2020 in England and Wales since 1844. Placed under the Patronage (NC in evening and following day) Hinsley Hall, Leeds of St Vincent de Paul, it is inspired by his thinking and works. It seeks, in the spirit of justice and charity, to help those who National Council Meetings are suffering the effects of poverty in whatever form. Works include visiting the lonely, soup runs, food banks, furniture shops Friday 22 & Saturday 23 November Hinsley Hall, Leeds and charity shops in areas of deprivation, visiting the sick, giving grants to those in need, debt counselling, and assisting Saturday 16 May refugees and asylum seekers. Last year SVP members made Amigo Hall, London nearly 500,000 visits to families and individuals in need. Working Friday 20 & Saturday face to face with the people we seek to help, SVP members 21 November 2020 Hinsley Hall, Leeds develop lasting relationships with the people they serve, and gain a rare insight into the lives of who they help. Committee Meetings
Committees must hold their meetings at least three weeks before the Board Please pass it on! meeting dates. This will allow enough Once you have read your copy of the Vincentian time to prepare any papers for the Concern please feel free to pass it on so that others in Board and submit to National Office. your local community can learn more about the SVP.
Share your stories Editorial Policy The next deadline to submit content for the Vincentian Concern is Friday 22 November. Articles for inclusion in the magazine should be emailed to Rachael Crookes at [email protected]. St Vincent Please include a high resolution image with your article. de Paul Society England and Wales Publisher CD&P Limited Managing Editor Rachael Crookes Executive Editor Elizabeth Palmer The Vincentian Concern is the official publication of Editorial Board Anita Boniface, Kieran Knights, Ken Madine, the St Vincent de Paul Society of England and Wales. Helen O’Shea & Elizabeth Palmer