We find with our groups the best charities and projects to engage with are ones which the group’s members can actually interact with. Many towns and cities have homeless networks or connections which would greatly benefit from your support. Failing that charities, which your members have a personal connection with, will also be great for you to support.

When looking for things to support in your community you first need to consider the need around you. Do you have a large homeless community? Is mental health a large issue? Do you have a large elderly community? Are your local parish or SVP conference already active in a certain area? Once you have identified an area you can support, look for existing organisations or charities around you. If there aren’t many, don’t panic, this is actually a great opportunity for you to really make a difference.

Alternatively, another great way of engaging your local community is to have afternoon tea parties in your school or local care homes. A quick and easy thing to do is to make Christmas and Easter cards for those who otherwise wouldn’t get one. If you can you could also get a bit more creative. Try learning to knit with elderly people from your parish to make scarves for the homeless. There is no limit to what you can do.

“We should assist the poor in every way and do it both by ourselves and by enlisting the help of others” St Vincent de Paul

Engaging the local community is about coming together to help those in need. Unifying through charity. Charity doesn’t depend on religion or perspective, it’s the act of showing compassion to those who look to us for support. It’s important that we see our vocation is not only to help those that get in our way but to those we find and who come to us. You will also find that the more you engage with your local community the more places you find you can help.