Church of the Immaculate Conception

Farm Street

The Society of St Vincent de Paul is an international Catholic charity whose aim is to tackle poverty in all its forms through the provision of practical assistance to those in need. The Society was founded in 1833 by Blessed Frederic Ozanam to help impoverished people in the slums of Paris. The Society gradually expanded outside of France, arriving in England in 1844. Today there are nearly 10,000 members in the Uk who volunteer to help those in need. While this involves assisting those in financial poverty it also includes visiting people who are sick, lonely, in prison, or suffering from addiction.

Volunteering Role: The Farm Street Church Conference of the SVP operates a soup run for the homeless on Monday evenings. Volunteers set up stations in a number of locations within walking distance from the church and distribute hot soup, tea/coffee, and chocolate to those who need it. Volunteers leave the church with supplies at 8pm and usually return to the church by 10pm.

Volunteering Role: There is also a visiting scheme which involves visiting the lonely. It is both online and in person.

Contact person: (soup run): Yasko Kurahachi

Contact details: y.kurahachi@gmail.com

Contact person: (visiting scheme): Sandra McNally

Contact details: S.Mcnally1@lse.ac.uk