The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) looking for volunteers in Kildare

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is recruiting volunteers in Kildare to support its home visitation work – offering much-needed companionship, a listening ear, and practical help to people facing tough times.

Through SVP’s local conferences, volunteers meet individuals and families in their homes, help them explore options, and connect them with supports. A typical commitment is just a couple of hours a week, with full guidance from experienced members.

Tony O’Brien, SVP volunteer in Kildare, said, ‘The most valuable thing we bring is time and attention. When someone feels heard and not judged, solutions start to appear. We visit in pairs and keep everything confidential, and that builds the trust needed to determine the root cause of the problem.’

He added: ‘On every visit we start by listening and building an assessment of need, what is happening now, what will help, and for how long. That gives our conference a clear plan and makes sure support is fair and sustainable.’

‘Help is not only financial. We often guide families to the right services such as MABS for debt advice, the Department of Social Protection or Citizens Information for entitlements, or the local authority for housing issues. Working together in partnership with these organisations, we can map a realistic pathway through the current problems a family may find itself in.   

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SVP supports people experiencing poverty across Ireland through practical assistance and friendship delivered by local volunteer conferences. SVP’s home visitation teams are particularly active around Christmas, when many families feel the pressure of extra costs. 

To find out more about volunteering with SVP, please call 085 855 6338 or fill in your details at svp.ie/volunteer and SVP will be in touch to discuss how you can make a real difference through the home visitation programme.