Mayo well represented at SVP 180 anniversary event

County Mayo was well represented at St Vincent De Paul’s (SVP) 180-year anniversary.

The charity has been providing their service to the most vulnerable in Irish society for 180 years now.

Members from the SVP society in Mayo were well represented at a members' day event to celebrate the anniversary of the society in Dublin’s Convention Centre.

The event was attended by over 1,000 charity members and volunteers from all around the country.

The programme reflected on the society’s history, current position, and the future with its Young SVP programme as a core part.

Rose McGowan, SVP national president in Ireland, told the gathering: "Throughout every period of change, our members have been a bedrock of support for hundreds of thousands of Irish people. And we should be proud of that.

“Offering a little help at the right time can give people great hope for the future. You show kindness towards people requesting your help. You also show compassion and empathy for people in difficult circumstances and approach their needs with discretion while being mindful of confidentiality and being respectful and non-judgmental,” she added.

Speakers on the day included Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and currently Chair of the Elders, SVP International President Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez and Kevin Cunningham, founder of Ireland Thinks.

There were also messages of congratulations from President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Simon Harris, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma-Little Pengelly and former President of Ireland Mary McAleese. 

Since its foundation in 1844 SVP has been serving the poorest and most vulnerable in Irish communities, through the famine in the nineteenth century, two world wars, an uprising, a civil war, cycles of economic austerity and a pandemic. 

Calls for assistance in 2023 reached over 250,000 which is more than double the number of calls 10 years ago. The first conference, St Michan’s, was established in Dublin and from there the Society has spread through every one of the 32 counties meeting the needs of those who seek its help.

Ms McGowan continued: “Visitation is of course not the only avenue we offer. There are our children and family services, shops, social housing and the necessary support services through national and regional offices,

“Today is not just an opportunity to celebrate our history in Ireland, but also to use the occasion to reflect and renew our commitment as we face into yet another period of change,” she said.

The SVP national president concluded: “We need to make brave decisions at national and community level that put all human beings at the centre of securing homes, decent healthcare, incomes that help us thrive, community infrastructure and community cohesion for everyone.

“The Society will continue our calls for more effective leadership from Government and a more co-ordinated effort that takes a long-term approach to the challenges people and communities face because of insufficient services and resources.”