The Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is an International organisation originally formed in Paris by a young student, Frederic Ozanam in 1833. This was about the same time as the story of ‘Les Miserables.’ Frederic saw people around him in the city suffering from poverty and isolation, so he gathered a group of friends together to help them. He named the group after Saint Vincent de Paul, the great 17^th Century saint who was famous for helping his poorest neighbours.

The aim of the SVP in the 21^st Century is still the same – to tackle poverty in all its forms and the gospel message defines that for us.

Jesus famously told us to love our neighbours as ourselves.

Some neighbours are easy to love – they are naturally loveable people. But some people can be harder to love – the homeless, the sick sometimes, the depressed. The problem is that these are the people that most need that love.

Jesus also told us: ‘In so far as you did this to the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.’

This quotation and the exhortation to love our neighbours are at the core of our Christian faith. In the SVP this love translates into friendship, someone to talk to and practical help without regard to faith, ethnicity, status or sexual orientation.

As we visit people in their own homes we have strict safeguarding policies and procedures and all visiting members must hold a DBS certificate. Our core friendship service in the parish is complemented by additional areas of activity by the wider SVP community –  Community Support Projects (shops, furniture stores and advice centres) Youth work, holiday provision and overseas aid. Please see the SVP website at svp.org.uk