Society of St Vincent de Paul Northern Regional Office 196-200 Antrim Road Belfast BT15 2AJ Tel: 02890-351561 Fax: 02890-740522 Email: info@svpni.co.uk Privacy Policy Reg. Charity XN45800 | 
Below is a list of questions and answers
about the Society
If you cannot find the question you are looking for, simply send us an email and we will respond to you shortly | - What is the Society of St Vincent de Paul?
A voluntary organisation of ordinary men and women
- What are its aims?
To help people in need on a person to person basis
- Is it a Catholic organisation?
Catholic in character, with membership open to anyone
- Does it assist Catholics only?
No. Members assist people in need irrespective of creed
- Is membership very time consuming?
Members give whatever part of their spare time they can, working for people in need
- What does membership cost?
An anonymous collection is taken up at weekly meetings. Members give according to their means
- Who may join the Society?
Anybody who has a little time to spare to help people
- Why do people join the Society?
To translate into action the Christian obligation to help people in need
| - What is the major activity of the Society?
Visiting distressed people in their homes
- How can a visit help a family in distress?
The family realises that somebody is concerned enough to call and offer help
- Is money given to families in distress?
Yes
- In what instances is money not the solution?
Illness, loneliness, desertion, alcoholism, violence
- What other material gifts are given to families in need?
Clothing, food, fuel, furniture, electrical items, holidays
- How are families in distress found?
Some contact us, others are discovered by members and many are referred by statutory and voluntary organisations
- Does a family ever reject help?
Rarely. People in need can always benefit from assistance
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| What other activities are the Society of St Vincent de Paul involved in? | Special WorksWhilst most of our work is primarily through visitation, many new activities have been developed over the years to help reach more and more disadvantaged people. 
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Below is a list of all the major activities the Society is involved with in Northern Ireland:- | VisitationHome visitation remains the cornerstone of our work. Through this key activity we can identify and respond to the immediate needs of people in the community.  | Home Visitation
| Around 2,600 home visits are carried out weekly.
Many are scheduled visits to the elderly and people living alone
and in isolated areas, where members can offer friendship and
a listening ear. Emergency visits make up around one third of
our visits; usually to needy families and persons in distress
in their homes.
| |  | Hospital Visitation | Between 400 and 500 hospital patients and people in nursing homes are visited weekly and on a regular basis. In most cases patients have either no family members or are far away from home and enjoy the company of a Society visitor who usually brings refreshments and papers or magazines. | |  | Prison Visitation | Specialised conferences have been established to visit the inmates at both Maghaberry and Magilligan. Members do not prejudge inmates (remand or sentenced), but offer a sympathetic ear. For many the Society visitor is their only contact with the outside world. | |
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