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What is the SVP?The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) was founded in the Sorbonne University in Paris in 1833. Today, it is a worldwide society. Frederick Ozanam, a 20-year-old student, founded it. With his friends he formed a small group who set about helping the oppressed and poor. The society is named after Saint Vincent de Paul who lived from 1581 to 1660, and devoted his life to helping the underprivileged. He is the patron saint of Christian charity. The aim of the society is to provide a means whereby members can practice Christianity by loving their neighbours in the person of the needy
The basic working unit of the Society is the Conference, located in each parish. |
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Our Joint Parish SVPIn 1968, the SVP conference of St Christopher’s, Codsall, was formed by the late Fr Ben Cox, and is still on-going under the new name St Christopher and St Thomas of Canterbury – Codsall and Tettenhall, following an almagamation in 2018. The parish of St Thomas of Canterbury’s SVP conference went into abeyance in 2008.
Our aim is to tackle poverty in all its forms through the provision of practical assistance to those in need.
We offer friendship and practical help to all we visit, without regard to faith, ethnicity, status or sexual orientation. As we visit people in their homes we have strict safeguarding policies and procedures and all visiting members must hold a DBS certificate. |
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Our conference has 9 full members and 4 auxiliary members. The SVP conference meet together once a fortnight for an hour on a Monday at 7:00pm in St Christopher’s or St Thomas' to pray together, discuss those who are in need of our help and support, and to plan events.
The SVP Regularly visit the sick, elderly, and lonely in their homes, in hospital, and residential homes.
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Meet members of our SVP Conference...
Each month, we will introduce another member of our SVP conference. Click on their photographs to find out more about them.
How do I join the svp?There are different levels of membership :
Full: A full member visits beneficiaries and would therefore need a DBS Auxiliary: An Auxiliary Member does not have a DBS therefore must not visit beneficiaries but can get involved in events and fundraising. If you would like to join our SVP conference, then please do get in touch. Eliz Hopkins, Conference Secretary on 07868 677863 or email [email protected] or by completing our online form https://forms.office.com/r/i131XFu4za And if you're not able to become a member there are other ways to get involved:
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Who can join the SVP?Membership is open to anyone. The SVP only asks that you accept our Christian ethos and commit to expressing your love of God through personal service to your neighbour. We help all people irrespective of their background or religion. The only criterion for who we help is a person’s need.
Members are never expected to do anything they’re uncomfortable with. Every member works as part of a team so they don’t have to cope on their own or deal with anything they can’t manage. Members are also given training and a DBS check, as well as ongoing support from the SVP local and national network. 
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How can you help?If you are also able to support with the provision of food parcels by donating any tinned or dried food, there is a blue box outside the presbytery at St Christopher’s for your donations.
If you know of any one or any families in need who would benefit from assistance from the SVP then please email [email protected], call our Conference Secretary on 07868 677863, or by completing our online form https://forms.office.com/r/i131XFu4za The SVP at St Christopher’s and St Thomas of Canterbury could not provide this valuable and essential service without the help, support, prayers and generous financial donations from the parish congregations. Thank you so much. |
