The Church Social Responsibility Group and Welfare Team

The welfare team come from a variety of backgrounds and have many complementary skills and experience. They help support the elderly and disabled and housebound families, (not always “one parent”) who are facing difficult times and especially their children. They support people recently released from prison, hospital or psychiatric care and those who simply find it difficult to meet the requirements of the twenty first century. They work closely with the SVP Conference on whom they rely for advice, support and funds. They are often contacted by local social workers in the knowledge that our parish and team is happy to try to extend their care to anyone in need in the local community.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The SVP was established in France in 1833 by Frederick Ozanam, inspired by the thinking and works of St Vincent de Paul. It is an international lay organisation actively supporting those in need. . www.svp.org.uk

The conference at St Augustine’s consists of 12 full-time members and 10 auxiliary members. As a group they offer prayer, friendship and regular visiting, as well as practical and financial help. Their aim is to befriend all those in need in our community, regardless of their position in life or religion.

During the past year approximately 1400 visits were made to families, the sick and lonely elderly people in their own homes, nursing homes and hospitals. Families and individuals were given food, furniture, domestic appliances, clothing, fuel grants and financial help. Assistance was given to the unemployed and those suffering from drug or alcohol addiction.

To emphasise the universality of the Society and be a witness of Christian charity in action, St. Augustine’s SVP also supports two twinned SVP groups in Southern India; they have also paid for a buffalo in another community.

They regularly contribute to a central Disaster Fund, available to make an immediate donation to the SVP in any country where an emergency or disaster occurs.

The conference has its own organised days of reflection.