THE ST. JAMES’S CONFERENCE OF THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MEETS EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY EVENING IN THE CRYPT BETWEEN 6.30 P.M. AND 7.00 P.M.
WE DO NOT HAVE FORMAL MEETINGS. WHENEVER WE GATHER IT IS TO DO GOOD WORKS OR TO ORGANISE FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES.
ACTIVITIES
We run weekly “soup kitchens” for the poor and homeless in the streets of London and also help individuals and provide support for hostels and homes for the homeless. Recently we bought a special exercise machine for a lady with multiple sclerosis, we paid for a courier licence for a young man off the street, driving lessons for another and support for others about to start work after recovering from being on the streets.
We have supported The Passage at Westminster, the Lord Clyde Rough Sleepers Unit (south of Vauxhall Bridge), the New to London Hostel in Old Marylebone Road and the NOAH Enterprise in Luton – all providing food, shelter and support for the homeless. We fitted the Lord Clyde with curtains and shelves and carried out general and plumbing repairs, and we have provided a joiner/handyman to carry out repairs to windows etc and to decorate the New to London Hostel.
We recently sent a small container of clothes, prams, cots and toys for homeless and poor who survived the troubles in Sierra Leone. This was successful as the sister of one of our members was in Sierra Leone to receive and distribute the goods, to avoid theft. We hope to repeat this operation and also to send a minibus full of goods.
FUND RAISING
We are continually working to raise funds to help the homeless, the sick, the poor, the friendless, the underprivileged, prisoners and ex-prisoners. We receive donations from people but we raise about £7,000 by holding a “Souper” Ball each year at the Lansdowne Club and another £3,000 by having a sponsored bike ride from London to St. Albans or to Windsor and back.
We do not have overheads so all the money goes to the poor and needy. It pays for new socks and underclothes, sweaters, jeans, coats etc., hot drinks and food for our twice weekly “soup run”. We give money to tide over individuals during the poverty trap period when they are about to take up work. The poverty trap period arises when someone is taken off the street and has been looked after and prepared for work and independence - the moment he/she gets a job all allowances and support disappear until he/she starts earning. This is when help is most needed.
WHATEVER WE DO IS GREAT FUN AND ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN. JUST TURN UP AT THE CRYPT ON A TUESDAY OR FRIDAY EVENING.
