St Vincent de Paul appeals for Ballymena volunteers to help families facing hardship
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Cllr Thomas Gordon is pictured with staff and volunteers during a visit to Vincent’s to learn about the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Ballymena and the need for more volunteers to join SVP.
Saturday 10 October 2026
People in Ballymena are being encouraged to give a few hours of their time to help neighbours facing poverty, hardship and social isolation, as the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) launches a new volunteer recruitment campaign.
From visiting people who need a friendly face to helping behind the scenes at Vincent’s charity shops, the organisation is hoping to welcome more local people who want to make a difference in their community.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Thomas Gordon, recently visited Vincent’s in Ballymena, meeting staff and volunteers to learn more about the Society’s work and its need for additional support.
More volunteers mean more help
SVP currently has more than 800 volunteer members across its North Region, supporting individuals and families experiencing poverty and social exclusion throughout Northern Ireland.
The organisation says attracting new members will help strengthen its ability to provide practical assistance, emotional support and friendship to people who need it most.
Anne Irwin, SVP Regional President for the North Region, said:
“We are blessed with many willing volunteers who generously give of their time each week to help those most in need around us.
“We are seeking new people to become part of our welcoming community of volunteers as we believe that with more volunteers, we can provide more help.”
She explained that volunteering also brings important personal rewards, including friendship, a sense of belonging and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in local communities.
Volunteering opportunities for different skills
There are opportunities for people with different interests, abilities and amounts of time available, with no requirement for previous volunteering experience or specialist qualifications.
SVP's work includes visiting people in their homes, offering companionship and support, while its network of 27 Vincent’s shops across the North Region provides further opportunities to get involved.
Volunteering roles can include:
• Home visitation – offering friendship, conversation and support to people experiencing difficulties.
• Charity shop volunteering – welcoming customers and helping with the day-to-day running of Vincent’s shops.
• Sorting and displaying donations – helping prepare donated goods for sale.
• Window displays – using creativity to make charity shops attractive and welcoming.
• Administration and IT – contributing organisational, financial or technical skills to support the Society’s work.
Funds raised through Vincent’s shops help support SVP’s wider work assisting people and families in need.
A welcoming community of volunteers
For those considering volunteering for the first time, SVP wants to reassure potential members that they will be joining a supportive community.
Anne, who joined the Society almost 25 years ago, said:
“I joined SVP nearly 25 years ago and the Society is built on people. People who care about their communities, people who are prepared to give their time and people who want to make a difference.
“We know that taking the first step can sometimes feel daunting, particularly if you are joining an organisation for the first time. But our volunteers tell us that once they walk through the door, they quickly discover a supportive and welcoming family.”
Existing volunteers have described joining SVP as one of the best decisions they have made, highlighting the friendships formed and the encouragement received from fellow members.
Anne said:
“One of the things that makes me particularly proud is hearing volunteers say that the people they meet through SVP become such an important part of their lives. As one volunteer told us, ‘the members are encouraging and always pleasant’. Another described how ‘the volunteers of SVP are an inspiration to new members’.
“That is exactly the message we want to share through this campaign. You do not need to have special experience or qualifications. You simply need to care and be willing to give something of yourself.”
How to become a volunteer
Anyone interested in supporting St Vincent de Paul in Ballymena or elsewhere across Northern Ireland can find out more about becoming a Society member or volunteering in a Vincent’s shop.
There are three ways to get in touch:
• Website: svp.ie
• Telephone: 028 9035 1561
• Email: info@svpni.co.uk
The Society is encouraging people to consider getting involved even if they can only offer a few hours each week.
Anne added:
“Whether you have a few hours a week, a particular skill you would like to share, or simply want to meet people and do something positive in your community, there is a place for you within SVP.
“I would encourage anyone who has ever thought ‘perhaps I could volunteer’ to take that next step as every hour is precious to SVP and for anyone interested in becoming a member, giving the gift of time is one of the greatest gifts you can give.”
For people in Ballymena who have considered volunteering but have yet to take that first step, the campaign offers an opportunity to contribute to their community, build new friendships and help ensure that people experiencing hardship have someone to turn to.
