Type: Enniskillen Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society – Social Inclusion Project
Location: Enniskillen
Background and Rationale
Enniskillen Conference of St. Vincent de Paul was the first Conference in Northern Ireland and was established in 1848 by Reverend Father Mc Nally, P.P. John Leonard, Wesley Street and Lawrence Harmon. Services through Saint Vincent de Paul are maintained by volunteers and include supporting individuals and families who are facing economic difficulties. Work is carried out with the homeless, ex-offenders, those suffering from mental illness and drug dependency, to name but a few. Therefore, the society receives regular requests for assistance from the Social Services, the Probation Board, the RUC and the Clergy of all denominations.
Other branches of St. Vincent De Paul are based in Irvinestown, Ederney, Lisnaskea, Newtownbutler and Fintona. Requests are received on a regular basis from Tempo, Ballinamallard, Lisbellaw, Kinawley, Bellanaleck, Derrylin, Florencecourt, Garrison, Derrygonnelly, Belleek and Kesh.
As a result of the Social Fund been established in 1988 along with the Jobseekers Allowance, the Branch has witnessed an increase in demand for their services and indeed public spending within their Thrift shop which is located within their Head Office on Forthill Street in Enniskillen.
Working with the “disadvantaged” of County Fermanagh, services are categorized as an “emergency response” by St. V. de P. Therefore, expenditure by the Enniskillen Branch includes emergency accommodation, school uniforms, public transport to prisons, payment for electricity debts, groceries and fuel, etc. In 1998 the Enniskillen branch distributed almost £15,000 on food, fuel, footwear, and clothing to those in need throughout the Enniskillen district.
The group fund-raises to sustain their organization and activity, as well as receiving support from the community through donations of clothes and other household goods that are sold in the Thrift Shop. This support is vital to the Society and its ability to continue to deliver its service.
Impacts of the Mentoring Support
Saint Vincent de Paul as a result of the support provided by the Fermanagh Trust through the Community and Voluntary Group Mentoring Scheme and their dedicated Mentor have successfully secured and renovated their own Head Quarters in Enniskillen at Forthill Street in the town. The premises has its own Thrift Shop retail unit which is used extensively by clients, as well as a kitchen area, storage space, rented office accommodation and a meeting/ training room. “This success which has been lead by our very involvement with the Fermanagh Trust and their Community and Voluntary Group Mentoring Scheme has allowed us to reach out to more people from throughout our community and help them at a time when the County is experiencing and ever increasing need and demand for our services”.
The new Saint Vincent de Paul Centre in Enniskillen has provided a stronger and more effective base to work from and has established a very clear and visible identity for St. Vincent de Paul within the County. The Group meets every Monday night and links up with other branches for training within the new center. This increased networking has brought considerable value to the work of all the branches that was hitherto been impossible before the attainment of the dedicated premises. It has allowed all concerned to tackle common problems together, as well as identify gaps and new areas of opportunity.
The group feels that their service is valuable to the community, visiting the poor in their homes and giving relief, food, clothing and fuel to those in most need. Their “Thrift Shop” provides good used clothes, household goods and bedding at reasonable prices for the community. “As a result of the support that has been provided to our organization by the Fermanagh Trust, we are in s stronger position to meet the growing needs for our service amongst our community”. St. Vincent de Paul have and continue to organize various day trips for the elderly from throughout the County.
