The Spiritual mission of the Society is to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. The Society sees in the life of Jesus; compassion, simplicity, integrity, gentleness and concern for all people, in everyday situations especially the outcast, rejected, or deprived in our community.
About SSVP
Scotland’s 2,000 SSVP volunteer members provide support and assistance to people across the country on a daily basis. Working in 300 groups, they assist people in need in the best way that they can. SSVP Conferences (groups) respond to needs in their communities. This usually means visiting people in their homes, in hospital, hospices or in prison. For many people, this visit is all that they need. However, in meeting people in this way, SSVP volunteers get to know people. They may then go on and provide help or assistance in other ways. Since being founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam and a group of friends, home visits have been at the core and heart of the work of SSVP members. The SSVP always works hard to respond to changing needs and has now established “Special Works” which provide one particular service.
Saint Joseph’s SSVP
Here in Saint Joseph’s parish we are a group of nine parishioners. We meet weekly in the back sacristy after 12 noon Mass. New members are always welcome. We visit anyone (they don’t have to be a member of Saint Joseph’s parish or Catholic) who would benefit from a friendly visit at home or in a care home. We use the money generously donated through the SSVP boxes around the parish to reach out and help anyone in need within our area without exception.
January/February 2024
● We continued our visits to those, in care homes and in their own homes, who benefit from having a friendly chat with someone.
● Responding to a request from Busby Food Bank we purchased and delivered another store cupboard for them.
● We donated towards a customised wheel chair for a local Giffnock lady to help with her mobility.
● We continue to support the Age Concern Bus, with a quarterly financial donation.
● We donated towards other SSVP projects including, The Furniture Project , and the Ozanam Club (a social club for Adults with special needs.)
● We sent a financial donation to support another parish and priest in the Paisley Diocese.
October 2023
● We continue to visit homes and local care homes to support those in our community.
● We sent a financial contribution, to the “Solidarity Fund” to help with the crisis in Gaza.
● We have delivered a donation of toiletries to Busy Food Bank.
● We have pledged to supply supermarket vouchers to Busby Food Bank help support families in the run up to Christmas.
September 2023
● Our visits to homes and local care homes continued to those we support in the community.
We sent financial contributions, with the help of your donations, to the following SSVP special projects including:
● The furniture project which helps people furnish their homes.
● The Jericho Society which supports people in their rehabilitation from addictions.
● The Saint Vincent’s Hospice which provides help to terminally ill people and their families.
● We also gave financial support to another parish within our diocese.
August 2023
● We continue to support and engage with people with visits to their homes and all local care homes.
● We were delighted to donate money to help with the running costs of the “Age Concern” bus which allows our elderly parishioners to attend Sunday Mass each week.
● We put a parishioner in touch with our Paisley “special conference” branch of the SSVP who were delighted to receive girls clothing.
● We are very grateful for the generous response from our parishioners to our appeal for men’s toiletries, among other items, for Busby Food Bank. Those at Busby Food Bank were overwhelmed at the generosity of Saint Joseph’s parishioners and were also delighted to be able to donate a surplus to Barrhead Food Bank where we are sure it was also most gratefully received.
Saint Joseph’s SSVP seeking donations of electronic devices
Saint Joseph’s Saint Vincent de Paul Society would like to help people engage with digital platforms. It has been recognised, especially since the pandemic, how excluded people can feel by not having access to a digital device or perhaps not being able to utilise them fully due to a lack of experience. Therefore we would like to invite parishioners who may have a spare device to donate it to SSVP. We would gratefully receive laptops/iPads or tablets that are less than 5 years old and which are fully working with chargers . We would also ask that devices are wiped of any personal information or apps, however, we would ensure that all devices are set back to factory settings before distributing them. If you have IT experience or just very knowledgeable with this kind of tech we would also love to hear from you. To donate a device please call 07528655783 – (Madeleine) or to offer IT assistance please email pa01015paisley@ssvpscotland.com. You can also reach us using the “Contact us” button above. Thank you in advance, from SSVP.
How Can We Help You?
We are continually seeking out those who would benefit from some help. If you know of anyone who needs help, please encourage them to get in touch. All requests are dealt with in complete confidence.
Do you have a relative, friend or neighbour who may welcome a visit from a friendly face, either at home or in a care environment?
Do you know of anyone who may need financial assistance , either a one off payment or longer term support?
How can you help the SSVP?
Please remember every donation you make to the SSVP boxes in the parish goes directly to those in need.
Please remember the society in your prayers, that it might be fruitful in reaching out to all those in need.
If you have good quality items that you are able to donate to charity please contact the following directly:
Clothes donations: Jacqueline Ritchie, 01418894497.
Furniture donations: John Sherry, 07425137411.
Digital Poverty Project
If you are able to help us with our new digital project. Please get in touch.
To donate a digital devices: Madeleine Connor, 07528655783.
To offer IT knowledge/ support: pa01015paisley@ssvpscotland.com.
Contact us
Please use the following form to give us the details of who you would like us to contact and briefly explain how we might help: e.g home/care home visit , financial assistance, or in some other way.
You can also telephone us on 07528655783 or email pa01015paisley@ssvpscotland.com.
You can find out more about the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Scotland here.