Awards for two Mayo charity shops

Two Vincent’s charity shops in Mayo have won awards in the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) West Region.  

Vincent’s Castlebar won the highest percentage growth Award and Vincent’s Ballina has won the PEAKS Award for Exceptional Effort.

The PEAKS award was presented for achieving excellence services including promoting affordability, ethics, and inclusion.

The awards were presented at the Vincent’s 2024 National Retail Confernce held earlier this month in University College Cork. 

Speakers at the conference included Environment and Science Editor of the Irish Times, Kevin O’Sullivan, CEO, Charity Retail Association, UK, Robin Osterley,  and Director of Stores Support, SVP, USA, Jeff Buamguard.

It was attended by approximately 200 volunteers and managers from the Vincent’s network of  shops throughout Ireland.

 _{Vincent’s Ballina received the PEAK Award} 

A theme of the Conference was the social, environmental and financial value that Vincent’s shops bring to the work of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Vincent’s shops are key pillars of local communities, generating surpluses that are used to support those most in need in those communities and operating in a sustainable manner.

There are over 230 SVP shops throughout Ireland, trading under the ‘Vincent's’ name.

Vincent’s shops are a hugely important aspect of the service SVP provides to those who seek its assistance. 

Not only do the shops provide goods at affordable prices and help reconnect people, disconnected by poverty, they also provide an income source for the Society, which is directed back into the local communities.