Please read the latest update from the SVP about the work they do in our Diocese.
The Tyne Central Council festival event at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens (formerly Ushaw College) on 31 May is now only two months away. It is a free event open to all SVP members and volunteers, diocesan Caritas partners and clergy. We will have speakers representing Holy Island Camp, our Community Support Projects and members of the Diocesan Caritas Network. Bishop Stephen will conclude proceedings by celebrating Mass in St Cuthbert’s chapel. To assist with the organisation of this day, attendees are please asked to register online at: https://forms.office.com/e/yfgg9qhbkP.
An example of recent Conference work. A family in Stockton District had much of their property destroyed in a house fire and they were left in crisis. A Conference member, whose friend had recently passed away, was contacted by the son of his friend. He was dealing with the contents of his father’s home and had furniture items which were available for anybody in need. The Conference were able to organise the transfer of beds, settee, wardrobes, soft furnishings, bedding and towels to the family’s home. The family expressed their thanks for all that the Conference had done, adding that such kindness had restored some lost faith in humanity.
Almost a thousand strong representation from Hexham and Newcastle travelled to Flame 25 on Saturday 15 March. This included a number of Young Vincentians from Tyne Central Council. Two young adult SVP members and an SVP Centre Manager were amoing the speakers. Read more about Flame here.
About the SVP:
The role of a conference varies from one parish to another, however befriending remains at the heart of what the SVP does. Visits take place at beneficiaries’ homes, sheltered accommodation or residential care. Every visit can be so different. Those who are elderly or housebound enjoy chatting about their past, hobbies and family. One SVP member shared how time seems to fly by during his visits to beneficiaries, one of which is over 100 years old, as they engage in conversation fuelled by tea and biscuits. Some beneficiaries prefer a phone call, so SVP members are only too happy to keep in touch in this way. The recurring theme when listening to SVP members talk about these befriending visits is always that they are as equally valued by both those visited and the SVP members themselves. For the housebound, lonely or downhearted, the power of personal contact must never be underestimated!
Nationally, there’s been a 49% increase in requests to the SVP for help over the past 24 months. Due to the cost-of-living crisis, more people are facing extreme financial difficulties. Equally, the cost of delivering our services also continues to rise. Parish SVP groups rely on the generosity of parishioners in their fundraising efforts. Equally helpful are donations of unwanted items, such as clothing, to the SVP Support Projects and shops in the Newcastle-Gateshead area, or to the Revive Centre in Sunderland.
If you have any questions about how to support the work of the SVP, email Deacon Patrick Rutherford at patrickr@svp.org.uk.
