A message from our CEO
Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another.
St Vincent de Paul
In recent days individual acts of charity, generosity and kindness have stood out against the backdrop of a society in lockdown and rising death tolls as Covid-19 takes hold.
The St Vincent de Paul Society’s core work has always been person-to-person befriending and extending the hand of friendship to another in their hour of need. We continue to do this vital work, even if our approach has had to change a little.
Provision and delivery of food and medicines for people who are self-isolating, telephone befriending for people who are lonely and isolated and supporting those who find themselves suddenly and unexpectedly bereaved, are all being undertaken by our members across England and Wales.
Our members are also coming across cases of hardship where needs are not being met by the current raft of government aid packages. We have established a Covid-19 Emergency Fund to support our members to respond and provide help where it is most needed.
With our network of local groups and some 10,000 volunteers across England and Wales, the SVP is uniquely placed to provide support to those in need in the local community. However, we cannot do this alone, which is why we are appealing for donations to help us continue our work at this challenging time, when many of our normal income streams are restricted.
If you can help us support people in need at this time of crisis by making a gift to our Covid-19 Emergency Fund today, we would be hugely grateful.
On behalf of everyone at the SVP may I wish you and your family the very best over the coming weeks and thank you for your support.
St Vincent de Paul also wrote “Fear not; calm will follow the storm and perhaps soon.”
With every best wish,
Elizabeth Palmer
CEO