St Vincent de Paul Society

2010 is the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion under the slogan “Stop Poverty Now!” Poverty is increasing and gaining a foothold in Europe

Eurostat's latest poverty survey indicates that 17% of people across the EU (some 80 million people) currently live below the poverty line, facing serious obstacles in accessing employment, education, housing, as well as social and financial services. Caritas Social Action Network (UK) has asked Catholic charities in the UK to support this initiative which is partly aimed at raising awareness of poverty in the EU and addressing this poverty. Support can be provided as follows:

Petition: There is a European wide petition with a target of 1 million signatories.

Awareness Raising: The SVP, alongside various other Catholic organisations, has been asked to promote Zero Poverty in whatever way it can.

You can find more information on www.zeropoverty.org

This summer why not help turn concern into action by raising vital funds for the work of the SVP? There are a number of events taking place across the country including:

5km Super Hero Fun Runs - London (13th June) and Manchester (26th Sept)
Skydives across the country, including a special jump in Maidstone (4th Sept)
National Vincentian Golf Day in Stockport (10th Sept)
50 mile/100 mile Bike Rides in London (20th June)
London to Paris Bike Ride (Various dates available)

For further information on how you can get involved in any of this year’s events, or to find out how you can support those taking part, please visit the News & Events page or contact Jessica Bray on 020 7407 4644 or by email to jessicab@svp.org.uk.

Between 27th September 2009 and 27th September 2010 members of the Vincentian Family will be celebrating the 350th Anniversary of the deaths of its patrons, St Vincent de Paul and St Louise de Marillac.

This special year of jubilee will be commemorated with a series of events and activities throughout the year and provides an opportunity to make a real difference by highlighting the plight of disadvantaged and vulnerable people in Britain today.

Click here for further information on the 350th Anniversary and further details on some of the major events that will be taking place over the coming year...

The Spring 2010 edition of the Vincentian Concern is now available to download from our Resources & Publications section.

Also available is our new Library Resources Catalogue for 2010 which features a variety of printed materials, books, medals and other items relating to the Society.

SVP Resources can now be purchased using your credit or debit card by calling National Office on 020 7407 4744.

The SVP is supporting the Haiti Earthquake relief efforts via its Disaster Fund to help alleviate the terrible suffering facing survivors of the earthquake in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, which has left thousands dead and millions displaced and surviving in desperate conditions.

Any Members of the Society who would like to make a donation are asked to contact their local Twinnage representative.

If members of the public would like to make a donation via the SVP they can do so by posting a cheque made payable to ‘SVP Twinnage’ to SVP National Office, 5th Floor, 291-299, Borough High Street, London SE1 1JG, with a note requesting the money be used for Haiti.

For further information please contact Matthew Stockton on 020 7407 4644 or by email to matthews@svp.org.uk.

If you would like make a donation with your credit or debit card over the phone, you can now do so by calling the SVP National Office on 020 7407 4644.