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Keeping the Doors of Hope Open

TRUSTEES REPORT

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Company No: 3174679 Charity No: 1053992

MISSION, VISION & VALUES

Page 3: National President & CEO Intro Page 4-5: Conferences & Secreterial Returns Page 6-7: Special Works Page 8-9: Asylum Seekers Page 10-11: Young Vincentians Page 12 - 14: CSPs Page 15: Housing Page 16-17: Overseas Aid Page 18: Social Justice Page 19: Retail Page 20: Fundraising Year

Since the Charity’s foundation in 1833 in Paris, the St Vincent de Paul Society has lived by the Christian principles of its founder Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, who said we should, “embrace the whole world in a network of charity.”

In 1833 the work of the Charity was prompted by the abject poverty in the slums of Paris. The first SVP members reached out in person to help those in need. The first SVP Conference in England and Wales was established only eleven years later, in 1844. Sadly, though the world has changed in so may ways, poverty remains embedded across society. Today our members continue to reach out to those in need with kindness, compassion and a welcome that is non-judgmental. As a 19-year-old university student, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam had the vision to create that network of Charity. If he attended an SVP Conference meeting today, visited a St Vincent’s shop, support centre or any other of our many projects, he would recognise the same ethos of Vincentian service and welcoming acceptance of others. The doors of hope are always open.

Today, the SVP numbers around 800,000 voluntary members in some 153 countries, with over 8,900 members in England and Wales. The work of the Society continues to evolve in response to present needs, while remaining person-centred, ensuring everyone has the right to be a valued member of the community in which they live.

OUR VISION

Our vision, inspired by Christ’s message to love our neighbour as ourselves, is to give hope and restore the dignity of individuals and families, empowering them to live more fulfilling lives in a fairer world.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to seek and find those in need, to help them in a spirit of justice, and to tackle the causes of poverty where we can.

OUR VALUES

Christ-centred - We acknowledge the presence of Christ everywhere.

Compassionate - We aim to show compassion that is non-judgmental towards those with whom we work. - Respectful We respect the dignity of all in the knowledge that we are all equal before God. Generous - We aim to be generous with our time, our possessions and ourselves in the service of others. - Responsive We aim to be alert to the ever-changing needs of the communities in which we work, and to respond accordingly, in order to alleviate poverty in all its forms.

Accountable - We recognise our accountability to God and to those we seek to help, while acting within the limits of our own knowledge and skills.

Confidential - We respect the confidentiality of those we help, while recognising that the physical and mental well-being of any vulnerable party must always be paramount.

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WE CONTINUE TO KEEP THE DOORS OF HOPE OPEN

2024-25 was a significant year of change at the SVP, while at the same time many of the economic and social challenges the charity works to address, persisted – and in many cases, intensified. After 24 years leading the Society, we said goodbye to Elizabeth Palmer who decided to leave the role of CEO in November. During her time with us, Elizabeth worked tirelessly to help the Society deliver its mission and ensure it had an impactful presence in communities where people were in most need of help and support. We wish her every success in her next endeavours. Kate Nightingale, who had already been with the SVP for 13 years in a variety of roles – including deputy CEO - was appointed as the new CEO. We wish Kate every success as she leads us over the coming years in tackling those persisting challenges. The cost-of-living crisis shows no signs of abating. Many families and individuals are finding it tough to afford essentials. The plight of immigrants and asylum seekers continues to be framed through one lens, with much of the human story of hardship and suffering stripped away, along with any consideration of their right to human dignity. In such times the work of the SVP comes to the fore. Our members, volunteers, and staff, particularly in our 11 community support projects, offer hope. Our doors are always open.

Against this backdrop, the whole of the charity sector is under real strain. The SVP is not immune. Our costs have risen across all areas of our work whilst demand for our services remains at an historic high. This year we carried out a restructure of our central functions to maintain the long term viability of the SVP. We’ve taken other steps to strengthen our organisation for the future—seeking new partnerships, diversifying our funding base, and investing in the support structures that sustain our members and services. We have been working across England and Wales for 181 years and will ensure we remain at the forefront of the battle against poverty, social inequalities, injustice, and hardship, for many more years to come.

“Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another.”

St Vincent de Paul

Our housing work also took significant steps forward. Following the creation of our Emergency Housing Strategy and appointment of our first Head of Housing, we began to lay the foundations for new, affordable accommodation initiatives. This is a long term commitment to tackling one of the root causes of poverty: lack of secure housing. At a national level, we’ve continued to advocate for those we support. Through evidence-based research and the voices of our members and service users, we’ve spoken out on the injustices behind the statistics. Our work on housing, regional inequality, and migration reflects our belief that charity must be accompanied by a call for change.

Through every challenge, our mission remains unchanged: to offer person-to-person care with compassion and dignity, grounded in our Christian values and open to all without judgement. None of this would be possible without the extraordinary dedication of our members, volunteers, and staff—and the generous support of individuals, trusts, parishes, and organisations who share our vision.

As we look to the future, we do so with gratitude, courage, and hope. Together, we remain committed to building a more compassionate and just society, one act of service at a time and by keeping the doors of hope open.

Thank you for walking with us.

Our 8,900 members, supported by a dedicated network of staff and volunteers are the bedrock of the hope we offer—visiting individuals and families, offering not just assistance but companionship, and helping people regain stability and hope.

Just as requests for support remain at record levels, so too does our commitment. In 2024–25, we expanded our Cost-of-Living Fund, delivering vital grants to those facing financial crisis. Whether for food, energy, clothing, transport, or household items, each grant is a small act of hope in someone’s darkest moment.

Elaine Heyworth, Chair of Trustees

Kate Nightingale, CEO

A YEAR OF OPENING DOORS, OFFERING HOPE

In 2024-25 there were 855 SVP Conferences in England and Wales with over 8,900 active volunteer members. These Conferences continued to reach out proactively to those in need within their communities. The nature of support provided was shaped by local needs, circumstances and resources.

336,821 visits | made to those in need

Our volunteer members’ core focus is on visiting those facing loneliness or hardship - offering support and friendship for as long as needed. Last year in England and Wales, over 336,000 visits were made to more than 44,000 people, with over 84,000 instances of practical help provided, mainly food and transport. Soup runs also supported over 12,000 people.

Types of practical assistance given:

Types of beneficiaries:

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SVP Canvey Island Food Hub

The SVP Canvey Island Food Hub is a vital support system for families across Canvey and the wider Castle Point Borough in Essex. Operating six days a week, the Hub redistributes free of charge over 300 trays of surplus food from 11 supermarkets, ensuring good food doesn’t go to waste, and those in need don’t go without.

Each morning, two vans set out at 7am and return by 9am with food supplies, which are then sorted and delivered by 10am. Every week, the Hub supports 3 food banks, 6 schools, 3 children’s homes, 2 care homes, the Canvey Island Senior Citizens Association, and more.

Fridays are dedicated to supporting around 80 elderly or housebound people. On Saturdays, surplus food is shared with St Vincent’s Southend. In the past year, over 51,000 food parcels and 5,500 doorstep deliveries were made.

The Hub also assists families in crisis by supplying essential household items, such as microwaves, cookers, and beds. Help with utility bills is also offered. At Christmas, a three-course meal was served for 95 parishioners and the community was supported with over 9 tonnes of food.

It is hoped Canvey Island Food Hub will launch a twice-weekly community café and offer cookery classes for parents to promote healthy, affordable meals.

The annual running cost of Canvey Island is £48,000. This covers van insurance, diesel, repairs, food top-ups, and direct beneficiary support. Despite the challenges, the reward is in the faces of those helped. The Mayor of Castle Point recognised the contribution of the Hub with a Community Award, celebrating the passion of the 35 volunteers. With continued support, the aim is to grow into a full Special Works, then progress to a Community Service Project, opening even more doors to hope.

St Blaise & St Mary’s Conferences

Members received a request to support a couple who had recently moved into the area after several months of homelessness. They were placed in an unfurnished flat by the local housing association. The wife, an amputee with a mental health condition, had a specialised bed. Her husband, unable to work due to ADHD and acting as her full-time carer, was sleeping on the floor.

Within days of the request, the Conference provided essential furniture and emergency food parcels. They discovered the wife was distressed and housebound; her prosthetic leg was no longer suitable as she had lost so much weight from stress and lack of food. Her husband was also isolated, unable to leave her side.

Recognising the need for longer-term and emotional support, SVP members partnered with St Mary (SS Peter & Columba) Bradford Conference to offer regular befriending visits. Together, they created a visiting schedule and were able to signpost the couple to local services to enable them to start to rebuild their lives.

Thanks to this collaborative effort, the couple now live in a fully furnished flat and receive the ongoing support they so desperately needed.

St James’, Twickenham

St James’ SVP conference, based in Twickenham, started one year ago.

Their first fundraising events were Lenten lunches, held every Wednesday during Lent. Homemade soups, tea, coffee and cakes were enjoyed by parishioners and the local community. They were attended by sixth formers from St Catherine’s School and residents from Brinsworth House, a care home for retired artists and those who have spent their lives working in the entertainment industry.

In total, some 160 lunches were served, and £980 was raised for the Conference.

The event was a real testament to the team’s dedication and community spirit. The hard work done in preparation by the Lenten Lunch team shone through.

A DOORWAY THROUGH GRIEF, A PATH TO HOPE

The SVP supports ‘Special Works’ of charity. These offer focused support, offering either a particular type of help or supporting a defined group. They may arise in response to an identified local need which corresponds to criteria approved by the Trustees. Special Works usually develop when an activity grows to an extent where a Conference is taken away from delivering its usual core day to day services. Special Works are an integral part of the support provided by the Society to those in need.

One of the newest developing Special Works is the expansion of Bereavement Cafés in the Worcestershire area. They currently offer a light touch, social event for bereaved people and those who would benefit from meeting and chatting with others in a similar position, with support from volunteers. It is suitable for people at any stage of bereavement, but as Gina, one of the founding members in Droitwich explains, ‘it is not bereavement counselling. The Café is a safe place for people to meet others going through a bereavement, to get or give support and meet trained volunteers willing to listen. The Cafés offer support, rather than a counselling service.’

Tea and coffee and refreshments are always on hand. They are open and accessible for all; at no cost, with easy access and away from a church or church hall, so as not to alienate people of a specific faith or no faith at all.

All volunteers at the Cafés have taken part in training to learn how to support bereaved people and the stories they have shared are truly inspiring. The Members and volunteers also run a 7-week Bereavement Journey course, originally set up by the Church of England over 25 years ago. As Gina outlines, “Our guests really like the opportunity to get to know the volunteers before they commit to the course. They then have the continuity of coming to the café at the end of the course. We make the café look welcoming with fresh flowers on the tables, free drinks and biscuits. And most of all, with volunteers who are supportive”. These added touches really help make guests feel relaxed in comfortable surroundings.

The course is offered usually around 6 months after the bereavement has occurred. But it’s not compulsory. Some people find just coming to the café is enough, whilst others need that extra help. Guests do not even have to talk to anyone if they don’t want to - several guests have come to the course and not spoken for the first few weeks. Then it all comes spilling out. There is no pressure put on anyone at any time. It’s made clear from the outset.

“Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart”

One man, who lost his wife, has a daughter who lives in France. She wrote to say thank you for the support given to her father. He has since made new friends. It gave his daughter comfort to know that he was among people who cared and supported him.

“My name is S*, I live in France. My dad, who lives near Droitwich, lost his wife last May to cancer. I ring him every day but living in another country, I feel bad that I cannot visit him in person more. He started attending your group this year. I cannot begin to express how much comfort it has brought him. He has met many new friends through your group and he is now on the bereavement course you offer. Many times, your group has picked him up when he felt down. I want to offer huge thanks to all your team for providing this kind and much needed service. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart.”

*Name changed to protect privacy.

235 visits took place at 73 different Evesham & people visited Droitwich both Cafés

Cafés

24 people completed the Bereavement Journey course

“This is a different approach to a difficult subject”

“I get huge satisfaction from seeing the improvement in people visiting the Café and attending the Bereavement Journey Course. It’s not an easy subject. Personally I’ve been out of my comfort zone many times but it is all worthwhile when you see guests with a smile on their face and managing to move forward in their lives. We’re not counsellors and would never pretend to be. But we can facilitate and make a safe place for bereaved people to come and share their experiences. The local GP practices in Droitwich and Evesham are referring people. We’re supported by the local funeral directors in Droitwich. They hand out flyers to families whom they feel would benefit from coming to the Café. This is a different approach to a difficult subject. It’s not for everyone, but for those who are comfortable with this approach it has changed their lives. It is an alternative to one-to-one counselling or medication, both of which have their place for some people. It is a classic SVP project - satisfying a need that is never going to go away.”

OPENING DOORS OF HOPE TO THOSE SEEKING SAFETY

Many SVP members befriend and support asylum seekers and refugees. The support required may vary: befriending, emotional support, material support or indeed, all three. In 2024-25 SVP members supported 4,632 refugees - 10.4% of the total people helped by the SVP in the year.

Our St Vincent’s Support Centres remain ideally placed in communities for us to welcome asylum seekers and refugees into England and Wales. Below are some stories from our front-line centres.

Supporting a family through the asylum journey

This year St Vincent’s Chorley Buddies walked alongside a family, from their first steps in the asylum process to settling into a new home.

The family initially came to the centre for help with food and travel passes so their children could get to school. The centre supported them in completing their asylum application. Once their status was granted, the centre helped with housing paperwork and applications for furniture through the Under One Roof and Cash for Kids schemes.

On moving day, volunteers transported their belongings to their new home. Today, the father works parttime and gives back by volunteering at the centre each week. The family remains connected to the community, joining summer outings and school holiday activities. In his words:

“We pray for Chorley Buddies every evening... looking back 1 year, the difference in our lives is huge.”

| 35+ furniture Migrant support deliveries were and | 195 students | made to asylum || immigration attended ESOL seekers & | advice service | classes in | Bradford refugees in supported 1,422 Sheffield people in Leeds

Finding safety & building a new life

Sara, now a valued volunteer at St Vincent’s Newcastle, came to the UK after living through the unrest in Khartoum. Food and essentials were scarce, prices were rising sharply, and expressing opinions was dangerous. She witnessed the Khartoum massacre and lived under constant threat. Her children would hide under furniture as bombs drew closer.

A friend of her husband arranged for Sara to reach safety in the UK, but the journey meant leaving behind her three children (who would follow later), husband and mother. After arriving in Heathrow, she was moved from London to Leeds, and then to a hotel in Newcastle, enduring three years of painful separation before being reunited with family.

“Mum, this is safe – no bombs here,” her son told her the day after they arrived.

Now reunited, Sara’s sons are thriving, with St Vincent’s arranging for them to attend a football training camp over the summer. Yet, Sara still worries for her mother in Sudan, who has diabetes and has faced severe health risks due to expired insulin and an overstretched healthcare system.

Sara’s courage, resilience and generosity in volunteering with St Vincent’s Newcastle embody the heart of our mission — to serve those in need with love, hope, and solidarity.

A day of connection and well-being

St Vincent’s Leeds organised a day trip for nine asylum seekers from a local hotel, offering a rare escape to the peaceful Denton estate. For many, it was their first opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, connect with nature, and take part in meaningful activities. Participants joined estate gardening work, harvesting vegetables for local use, contributing to conservation efforts and sharing their skills to make a tangible difference in the local community.

The journey began quietly, with some feeling nervous or unsure. To ease the mood, staff led light-hearted and educational games involving spelling, phrases, numbers and object identification. These activities not only broke the ice but also built confidence in English vocabulary ahead of the day’s events.

ITV News accompanied the group, capturing personal stories, reflections on life in the UK, and hopes for the future. One participant shared the reasons he sought asylum, why he cannot return home, and details of a book he has written about his journey. The TV piece brought wider attention to the challenges asylum seekers face and the supportive role St Vincent’s centres play.

The day was filled with shared meals in the sunshine, nature trails in search of deer and piglets, and the forging of new friendships. It was especially life-changing for one man from West Africa who, owing to limited English, a learning disability and epilepsy, rarely left the hotel. This trip not only boosted his confidence to explore new places but also helped him form connections and strengthened his sense of belonging in the community.

YOUNG HEARTS, OPEN DOORS, NEW HOPE

Aged just 19, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam founded the SVP in 1833. That same youthful energy thrives through our youth programmes: Mini Vinnies, Young Vincentians, and SVP1833.

Mini Vinnies are children aged 7–11 in schools and parishes who put their faith into action through prayer, reflection, and service. The programme is growing strongly, with 103 new schools and one parish expressing interest in 2024–25.

Our Jubilee resources were accessed over 14,800 times, the Time for Hope Lent campaign 2,790 times, and more than £12,000 worth of resources were purchased across Young Vincentians groups. Feedback from coordinators has been very positive, praising both the quality and variety of what’s on offer.

Mini Vinnies show that even the youngest in our Church can lead with compassion and make a real difference in their communities.

Youth SVP unites young people aged 11–18 who live out their faith through service, friendship, and justice. This year, 88 groups were active across England and Wales, taking part in projects such as food collections, outreach to people who are homeless, and work alongside adult SVP members.

The mission of Vinnie Camps is to provide, within a Christian ethos, a safe enjoyable holiday experience for children. The SVP currently runs ten Vinnie Camps each summer; Brentwood, Holy Island, Leeds, Liverpool, Mablethorpe, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Stockport, Wirral and Wales. Vinnie Camps are staffed by dedicated, caring volunteers, offering a high ratio of adult-to-child supervision, meaning each and every child receives a great deal of time and positive attention, perhaps more than some have ever known before.

Growth continues, with 12 new parish-based groups giving Mini Vinnies and newcomers a way to stay involved. At St Bede’s, Lanchester, pupils, staff, and parishioners raised £3,800 through fundraising events. Supported by SVP volunteers and the Youth Team, Youth SVP reached over 2,100 young people — building community and inspiring lasting compassion.

With Pope Francis, in the year of Jubilee, reminding us that merciful love is key to our faith by making one of the five holy doors, a prison door in Rome, our hope is to inspire more of our SVP1833 Conferences to reach out and support their neighbours who are in the prison community.

Jasmine and Tommy (SVP1833 members) and Nathan (from Ely Bridge CSP), took to the OVO Arena Wembley stage to share more about the work of the SVP. FLAME is the largest Catholic youth event across England and Wales.

a|?‘ In March, SVP1833 York, gathered in their Chaplaincy Garden to partake in an SVP sponsored sleep. It was a heartfelt solidarity action to connect with those who face the harsh realities of homelessness every day. They raised £1,010 for the SVP, with the money going to help the Middlesbrough Vinnie Camp and their fortnightly pizza run. It also went to national SVP1833 opportunities and funded 2 places on the SVP1833 Pilgrimage to Walsingham.

Between December 2024 and January 2025, the SVP1833 (Young Adult Conferences) at Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy, supported the prison community in HMP Bullingdon. The two Catholic chaplains at HMP Bullingdon reached out to the SVP Working Prisons group as warm clothes and shoes were desperately needed for the community being released, with the likelihood of non-permanent shelter upon release. This is where the beauty of the SVP network really shone. The SVP Working Prisons group, contacted the Young Vincentian Team and together they were able to provide support through SVP1833. In total, sixty-six items were collected ranging from woolly jumpers to socks and shoes.

The SVP1833 Conference got to work straight away with organising the donation drop off point, advertising the clothing drive to the local Parish and listing the items that the community needed. In total, sixty-six items were collected ranging from woolly jumpers to socks and shoes. One of our SVP1833 members said “ I thought about donating some of my pre-loved clothes, and then I thought, the power of clothes to make someone feel valued, worthy and loved can be enormous, so I popped out and went to my local supermarket to get brand new t-shirts and trousers.”

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Reflection from our Wirral Camp Leader

Each year, we strive to create a truly memorable experience for the children at our SVP camp—one that offers them an escape from their everyday challenges. Many of these kids face difficult circumstances, so it’s crucial that we make a lasting impact and provide them with a genuine break.

This year, we drew inspiration from children’s TV shows, crafting an ongoing narrative that unfolded throughout the week. Our goal was to immerse the kids in a story where they weren’t just participants but became part of the adventure.

From the moment they arrived, they were introduced to Mr. Octopus Head, the quirky owner of the camp. As the week progressed, they met more characters, including Robo, a robot, and Nordic-Bone, a Viking—both of whom were vying to take over the camp. These characters were woven into many of the activities, creating a storyline that the children could engage with. Whether it was the characters birthday parties, water fights, or building dens, every event nudged the story forward. As the days went on, the kids worked to prevent various takeover attempts, ultimately saving the camp.

Beyond the storyline, our team was eager to refresh our activities this year. We wanted to avoid the sense of repetition that can come with running the same activities year after year and a fear we weren’t always improving. As a result, every activity was either completely new or had undergone major changes to keep things fresh.

THROUGH EVERY DOOR A WELCOME, EVERY WELCOME A BLESSING

Our Community Support Projects (CSPs) are based in 11 locations across England and Wales. They are all located in identified areas of need and provide local people with support, advice and friendship. Each of the centres has its own unique character, reflecting the community it serves. All of the centres share the same characteristics - being inclusive, welcoming and accessible to all.

In 2024-2025, the centres experienced an intense increase in demand for their services with over 216,000 interactions. In many instances requests for help came from people who had not previously needed to seek support. One noticeable and shocking change was the significant increase in people who, despite being employed – often full time - found themselves needing to ask for help.

Although the centres deal with serious issues and help people in times of crisis, visitors are always surprised to find a happy and relaxed atmosphere.

Each team of dedicated staff and volunteers works tirelessly to ensure that everyone has a positive experience. You’ll often hear the phrase, “bring yourself” which reflects the idea that everyone is welcome to come as they are and be accepted for who they are. The underlying principles are kindness and hope and dignity for all.

Over 216,000 interactions took place in our centres

In St Vincent’s Newcastle, kindness and hope are evident in many ways. Approximately 200 people visit the centre each Tuesday to be served a delicious, freshly cooked 3- course meal. The total number of meals provided in 24/25 was a staggering 10,746. Every meal is served to a neatly laid table by one of the many volunteers. This may be the only time of the week people attending get a hot meal and a chance to sit and chat with others. On Thursdays, the centre’s Marketplace brings the community in to search for a bargain or two, to access advice, have a haircut or simply sit and enjoy a cup of tea. The centre is a bustling hub of activity and chatter and brings together diverse elements of the local community.

A few miles across the city, Newcastle Deaf Centre offers different services and activities. It also has a thriving youth group. In 2024/25, this group has grown from strength to strength and has participated in many exciting opportunities including developing a short film, taking part in university research and visiting places of interest and education.

Cara found her voice, her passion and her future

Cara* joined the Deaf Centre Youth Group feeling shy and unsure about what lay ahead. She had just spent her first two years out of school caring for her younger siblings. With encouragement and guidance, she uncovered a passion for hospitality and social care.

She went on to complete specialist training, volunteer in a care home, and secure a place on the Level 3 Social Care course at Newcastle College. While waiting to begin her studies, Cara built further skills through workshops run by the centre and gained valuable experience with a summer job at Newcastle United.

Her confidence has flourished, and she is now stepping forward with purpose, equipped for a promising future.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

At the other end of the country, St Vincent’s Brighton (known locally as Tower House) has developed a range of excellent services tailored to the needs of older people.

Following a review and refresh of the centre in 2023, 2024-25 saw a real hub of activities and support come to life. With over 400 guests coming to the centre during the year, people were able to access a range of activities as diverse as wonderful lunch clubs, gentle exercise sessions, podiatry services and even an afternoon of armchair travel to Jamaica, complete with a mocktail.

Being seen as a safe, welcoming space is vital for all our CSPs. At St Vincent’s Southend, they have developed a culture of belonging and hope for some of the most vulnerable members of the community. The centre offers a pathway from crisis, to engagement and connection. 2024-25 saw the Pioneer Project bloom. The project upskilled people to use a 3-D printer and also an embroidery machine. This built skills, knowledge and confidence and supports service users to become peer mentors, showing others that there is always hope.

Offering food is another important part of what we do in our centres. This could be a free meal for someone in need, an emergency food parcel for a family in crisis, or offering good quality, low-cost food at our marketplaces and pantries. Our Chorley centre, Chorley Buddies @SVP, operate 4 community marketplaces across the town. In 2024-25, there were 9,805 shopping experiences. It’s about much more than food though- connections are made, people can ask for support if they need it and the team can be the vital conduit to accessing other services and organisations.

The CSP furniture referral projects also offer hope- turning empty houses into homes, with the offer of free furniture delivered to those in need. Sheffield furniture project and St Vincent’s Leeds provided 1,790 deliveries in 2024-2025. This included beds for children who were sleeping on the floor and items equipping a patient’s home to enable them to be discharged from hospital.

Tower House: breaking social isolation

I’m pleased to say I love coming to Tower House. It has stopped me staying in my flat every day and I love going on the outings Club Member, April 2024

Helping people keep well, physically and mentally, is another offering found in our CSPs. In Ely Bridge, Cardiff, 2024-25 has seen the development and growth of the following range of programmes: ‘Men Changing Lives’, ‘Beyond Fitness’, ‘Beyond Differences’ and ‘Women Changing Lives’. Each group focuses on different aspects of keeping well. Each provides an important focus on health and well-being, such as spending time working out in the gym, discussing lifestyle challenges and opportunities, or focusing on developing confidence and resilience.

In St Vincent’s Brixton, the focus is very much on community togetherness. The centre has always been a creative space but 2024-25 has seen growth to broaden the scope and involve even more of the community. The place is filled with a sense of wellbeing, hope and opportunity. The ‘You are You’ project has seen many young people grow in confidence and learn about resilience and kindness. Many new activities have been introduced including drumming for wellbeing, a cookery class for women and girls living in a hostel, and a very competitive sewing bee.

In Wirral, the CSP team have established a community allotment. This is the perfect place for people to meet in the fresh air and bond over nurturing the plants. Many regular visitors reported a definite improvement in their wellbeing and mental health as a result.

Meet Declan

Here is the amazing Declan working out at the gym. He has been an inspiration to us here at St Vincent’s Ely Bridge. He continues to manage his anxiety and increase his confidence, going from strength to strength.

Taylor-Mae’s journey through arts & cooking

Taylor-Mae is aged 10. She joined Brixton’s Arts and Cooking sessions for two full terms from September 2024 to March 2025. Taylor-Mae has a learning disability and hearing impairment. On her first session staff were told by her mother that she was a quiet and anxious individual who very rarely joined in other groups outside of school. Across both terms, she blossomed into a confident young girl who showed she was particularly fond of cooking .

In the communal dining sessions, staff observed her chatting with peers, laughing and smiling. Cooking and dining with other young people her age provided the space for her to form strong friendships. She went on a playdate with another member of the group. When she first joined, she would not engage in conversation. Now, as a result of her time at the centre, Taylor-Mae will now initiate them and is confident to voice her opinions.

DWELLING IN HOPE: HOMES BUILT ON FAITH

The SVP continues to respond to the ongoing need, and in 2024-25 year, our housing projects provided accommodation for 89 people facing homelessness.

Our Newcastle project provides twenty-three units of supported accommodation for single people.

Our project units are compromised of:

A twelve-bed hostel, with 24/7 staffing, for single men over 30 who move on from crisis accommodation.

Nine units of selfcontained support accommodation for those who are ready to move on but require continued low-level support.

The demographic of our Newcastle hostel residents has changed over the past couple of years, with increased support provided to people from outside the UK who have been granted the right to remain in the country. 16 of the 36 residents supported this year came from outside the UK. In addition, our 2-bed flat in North Shields was occupied all year by residents referred by the SVP Approved Premises.

In North Norfolk the Society continued to operate 7 Temporary Emergency Accommodation units, which in 2024-25 housed 16 family units, including 37 children, 1 pregnant lady and 19 family/medical support pets. Over 50% of our families were victims of domestic abuse, and 93% were originally homeless through no fault of their own. Around 50% were struggling with mental health conditions and approximately 25% were living with physical health conditions. Around a quarter of our families have a child with a learning disability.

Our staff team work very closely with the local SVP Conference. 10 of our tenants over the last year have been supported by the Conference, either financially or with practical support and gifts. In 2024 we grew our housing provision locally, adding a 3 bed semi-detached family property for Supported living. We were delighted to move a family from our Temporary Emergency Accommodation into this house, where they received support to settle and make it a home, setting them on their way to housing stability and breaking the cycle of homelessness.

HOPE TRAVELS FAR:

OPENING DOORS OVERSEAS

The SVP Twinning programme is embedded in the founding values of mutual assistance; building a worldwide network of charity, love, and solidarity. Annual grants from Conferences in England & Wales support an estimated 1,300 twins overseas, helping to provide essentials, education, healthcare, and the hope of a better, more self-sufficient future.

Each Conference in India commits their twinning grant towards supporting locally “adopted families”. Members support these families through provision of food parcels, household essentials, clothes, and monthly visits.

Parth* is the sole provider for his family, including his two sick, bedridden parents. Despite working hard, he often struggles to make ends meets. Thanks to the adopted families scheme, hope was restored – his family have enough to eat, stay healthy, and Parth can work consistently. Every contribution through this scheme can help break the cycle of poverty for families like Parth’s.

In Grenada and South Sudan, persistent inflation impacting the cost of food, medication, and other basic needs is affecting those already struggling to meet daily demands. The SVP helps the most vulnerable and marginalised individuals and families to meet these costs, especially where there is no social security system in place. Hampers of essentials like salt, oil, maize, flour, beans, and sugar are gifted. Conferences may also cook and welcome those in need within the community to join for a full meal.

SVP India Conference

The need in our community is great, and your contributions can help us reach more individuals in need.

SVP India Member

When we [SVP members] eat a good meal, our adopted families eat a good meal. This is our Conference pledge.

SVP Conferences in Guyana and Romania often allocate twinning grants for Easter and Christmas, recognising how meaningful these moments can be for those facing hardship. By providing thoughtful support - such as gifts or sweets for children, fresh fruit for the elderly, or food hampers for families - they help bring a sense of joy, dignity, and togetherness to what might otherwise be a difficult time. These gestures not only make the holidays feel special and festive, but also offer a much-needed emotional lift and a reminder that they are not forgotten.

Many of our overseas twin conferences also run local projects, for which they can apply to SVP England & Wales for funding. A Conference in Romania organised a cultural day trip for children living in poverty. The children explored their local town, learned its history, shared a hot meal with friends, and enjoyed a day of joy and discovery. For many of these children, this was their first opportunity to venture beyond their home or school, even though the trip only involved a few miles of travel. Afterwards, one child excitedly shared his adventure with his mum, saying that he realised the world was full of amazing experiences and he couldn’t wait for more.

name changed for anonymity

SVP South Sudan

The lives of many beneficiaries has been prolonged by the generous contribution and support from SVP England & Wales.

SVP India Conference

We sincerely thank you for your invaluable contributions, which have made a significant difference in the lives of many people in our community.

Alongside Conference Twinning, our Overseas programme includes student support via the India Fund, conferencerun projects, national projects, and responses to global emergencies.

It is the SVP’s mission to seek out and support those in need. Emergencies - such as Hurricane Beryl’s devastating impact on the island of Carriacou in Grenada in July 2024 - can cause a dramatic surge in that need, often at short notice. With thanks to our generous donors, SVP England & Wales was able to grant £25,000 over a 9-month period. This enabled SVP Grenada to quickly mobilise with urgently needed water, food, medicine, bedding, flashlights, bug spray, sanitiser, toiletries, and other basic essentials - alongside developing a plan for long-term recovery.

SVP Grenada bought hope and reassurance to hundreds of people who had endured an incredibly traumatic experience - losing homes, possessions, and witnessing harm to loved ones. The local SVP recognised that children needed space to process their experiences and express their emotions. They arranged two trauma workshops for over 100 children; there was singing, crying, laughter, arts and crafts and, most importantly, the chance for children to simply be children again, playing freely in the safety and comfort of one another’s company.

The SVP Vocational Training Centre in South Sudan offers high-quality and affordable qualifications in building and construction, welding, first aid and nursing, mechanics, tailoring, refrigeration and cooling, engineering and more.

At the end of the school year, SVP South Sudan celebrated a graduation ceremony for 526 students, honouring their dedication and achievements. The event was filled with joy, pride, and hope for the future, for both the graduates and their families. This year marked the highest number of graduates ever, with the largest proportion of females to date. Committed to fighting poverty and expanding opportunities for all, a focus is placed on gender equality too. The Project leader described the graduation as, “a colourful event which softened our hearts”.

Over 100 top-performing students in relevant courses were gifted with toolboxes, to enable them to successfully start their own businesses. SVP South Sudan hopes to soon expand this support by opening a job centre, offering graduates additional guidance as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

In 2024/25, we had 1,300 active twinning relationships & granted £188,755 to twinned conferences across 5 countries

We also granted £172,860.65 in projects, £25,000 through the disaster fund, £4300 in National Council/Misc grants & supported Small Projects in India with £37,524.65

FROM BARRIERS TO DOORWAYS: HOPE THROUGH JUSTICE

“Charity is the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveller who has been attacked. It is justice’s role to prevent the attacks.”

The words of our founder Blessed Frédéric Ozanam. Our social justice work reflects this; we campaign to address the root causes of poverty and hardship witnessed by Members, volunteers and staff.

We maintain primary focus on four policy areas:

POVERTY REFUGEES INREGIONAL AND AND WORK INEQUALITIES SOCIAL ASYLUM POVERTY SECURITY SEEKERS

This year, we responded to the changing political landscape and deep social needs. We used our voice to champion dignity, fairness, and the protection of those on the margins.

In collaboration with CAFOD, our ‘Year of Encounter‘ campaign mobilised thousands ahead of the General Election to engage with parliamentary candidates, using our digital tools and question guides. Many attended local hustings or wrote directly to candidates. The campaign attracted Catholic media coverage, raising SVP’s profile and strengthening our ability to build relationships with new MPs.

With the establishment of the Government’s Child Poverty Unit, we contributed insight from our grassroots networks:

Met with senior civil servants at the Department for Work and Pensions
Co-signed a joint letter to the Chancellor and Work and Pensions Secretary with leading antipoverty charities Submitted policy evidence to ChurchWorks, shared with the Chancellor
Published a food provision briefing to support parliamentary advocacy
We signed a joint sector letter to the
Government on extending the move-on period for refugees

We helped draft recommendations in advance of the Government’s Budget and advocated to remove the two-child cap in Universal Credit.

We were recognised in Parliament by MP David Burton-Sampson, who praised our work in Southend. We met other MPs from all parties over the year.

ITV News featured two segments on our social justice work - one highlighting support for asylum seekers, another on proposed deportation policies.

Our in-work poverty research entered its final stages, with a stakeholder workshop held ahead of the planned report publication later in 2025. We published our ‘Keep the Doors of Hope Open’ report which highlighted our activities, initiatives, & projects across the country.

We engaged with key government departments, presenting our findings and priorities on asylum seekers - a particular focus in the last quarter - directly to the Home Office.

We deepened partnerships across faith and other

groups:

Attended the Labour Party Conference to meet newly appointed ministers

Took part in cross-sector roundtables on poverty issues
Coordinated with Caritas, CSAN and Good Faith Partnership on shared advocacy
Issued public responses to major political moments including the King’s Speech

At every stage, our work has reflected the witness of our members — who work daily alongside people affected by poverty, isolation and displacement.

HOPE IN EVERY AISLE: OPENING DOORS THROUGH RETAIL

Our network of St Vincent’s shops allows us to further our mission by raising vital funds for the Society to help those in need. However, they are more than just retail outlets; they provide employment and volunteering opportunities, affordable goods and have significant impact diverting goods from landfill and recycling to reuse.

They are vibrant ‘community’ shops where staff, volunteers, customers, and donors come together. They create supportive networks that enrich lives and strengthen community. Our inclusive and welcoming environments ensure that everyone feels valued and connected and helps to create lasting relationships within the communities where they are based. In the 2024/25, we had:

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Through our eCommerce and eBay platforms, we sold 2,558 preloved items with an average basket size of £25.60. Women’s fashion remained our top-selling department, supported by a 6.3% increase in repeat customers.

The commitment of our staff, volunteers, and the continued support of our loyal customers have been instrumental to our development over the last 12-months with 3 new shops opening.

• York: Opened in April 2024

Leigh on Sea: Opened in June 2024

• Wetherby: Opened in September 2024

Owing to financial constraints in the second half of the year, new shop development ceased as we underwent a staffing restructure and significantly reduced our staff management resource.

Shop staff were largely unaffected; however sadly the Wrexham, Erdington and Halifax shops had to be closed during the year, as a result of untenable cost increases or lease ends.

As we look ahead, whilst we remain focused on raising funds and continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve, we will not look for growth with new shops but for growth of income within our current shops, as costs continue to rise.

OUR FUNDRAISING YEAR IN NUMBERS

17 333 £59,897 Summer Friends of in match funding Raffle Winners the SVP for our appeals 45 591 £70,159 Gifts in New Raised in Awards Wills Supporters for All 46 £4,285 79,610 Free Will Raised in requests to Summer Raffle Writing Requests Acts 435 for grants tickets sold 5,472 153 £163,320 Donations for where Lottery Raised from Doors most Players of Hope appeal needed 331 £12,995 £848,990 In-memory Raised from Raised in donations weekly lottery legacy gifts

SVP.ORG.UK

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0207 703 3030
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READ OUR FULL REPORT WITH ANNUAL ACCOUNTS:

DONATE BY SCANNING BELOW:

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

Allenby House, Rees Way, Bradford, BD3 0DZ

Company No: 3174679 Charity No: 1053992

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

As part of an international lay Christian organisation, Catholic in origin, character, and traditions, which respects religious liberty and the value of all God’s people, the objects of the Charity are:

The relief of poverty and sickness without differentiation on the ground of race, colour, creed, ideology or sex and in particular, but not so as to limit the generality of the foregoing, to bring spiritual and/or material solace to the sick or individuals who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress due to their social, economic or other circumstances.
The undertaking, in any part of the world, of such other object or objects which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales as the Charity in its discretion shall see fit.

The overall objective of the Charity is the relief of poverty, both material and emotional in England & Wales and abroad through: the person to person involvement of its voluntary members engaged in befriending and through 'Special Works', which are projects established to address specific needs in the local community, such as food banks or advice and support centres. The Society is constituted under the laws of England & Wales as a company limited by guarantee (Company Number: 3174679). The Society is also a Charity registered with the Charity Commission (Charity Number: 1053992).

The overarching governing document of the Society is the Articles of Association and is to be read in conjunction with the International Rule and the National Statutes. Where there is a conflict between the Articles of Association and the National Statutes of the Society, the Articles will take precedence. However, there are periodic reviews that take place to ensure alignment where practicable to do so.

The Articles of Association describe the Society’s objects, guarantees, powers and their limitation. They define ‘Membership’ of the Company (i.e. the National Council) and describe the governance processes, including how changes and decisions are made. The National Statutes provide the framework for the governance and operation of the Society. Detailed management of the Society’s affairs are covered in relevant Policies and Procedures, which should be treated as a part of the Rule.

The first International Rule was introduced in 1835 and is periodically reviewed and updated by International Council General of the International Confederation of the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

The Society adopts this corporate governance framework to deliver its strategic priorities and objectives and to ensure it complies with the Charity Commission’s legal and regulatory requirements (The Charities Act 2022) and adheres to the legislative requirements outlined in the Companies Act 2006. The Society believes that effective governance is based on ensuring there is a culture of compliance across its works and practices. This is implemented through policies and procedures, external and internal audit plans, robust and resilient risk assessments, and a culture of continuous learning.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees consists of a minimum of nine and a maximum of thirteen people, including the Chair (also known as the National President). The Board is responsible for the overall governance of the St Vincent de Paul Society (England &Wales). On the election of a new National President by the National Council, the President shall nominate up to five Trustees, at least three of whom will be Central Council Presidents, and shall also nominate a Vice President and a National Treasurer.

Each Trustee must be formally confirmed by the National Council to serve for a period of five years. Up to five new Trustees are selected halfway through the President’s five-year term to act as continuation Trustees and serve for a term of five years. Up to four non-members of the Society may be appointed as Trustees provided that they commit to the values of the Society and have skills which are required by the Society. All Trustees are subject to a formal recruitment process based on their skills and experience to ultimately support the deliverables against the charity’s objects. The table below shows the current Board members who were all appointed in previous years and new continuation Trustees appointed in May 2025.

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In addition, Fr Paul Roche attends Board meetings as a National Spiritual Advisor. The selection of Trustees seeks to maintain a balance of skills and experience appropriate to the charity’s activities, as well as bringing increased diversity and inclusion.

An induction programme is offered to all new Trustees to ensure they are briefed on the Charity’s objectives, strategy and activities, as well as understanding Charity Commission guidance on the role of a Trustee and good governance. The Board meets at least four times a year to review the performance of the Charity, both financially and in meeting its charitable objectives. All meeting discussions are recorded in the minutes taken and stored electronically as part of the normal governance process.

The Society has established clear levels of delegated authority within which:

some decisions are reserved to the Board alone. Some decisions are made by the Executive Trustees, who are the National President, the Senior Vice President and the Treasurer.
responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Charity is delegated to the Chief Executive who may in turn delegate authority to the Senior Management team. The Chief Executive attends all Board meetings; other senior managers attend as required.
the Chief Executive is required to escalate high risk and/or high impact issues for the timely attention and consideration of the Board and produces a CEO report for each meeting.
the Board sets the strategic direction for the efficient and effective management of the Society’s funds and strategic roadmap. In late 2024 the Board set a revised strategy for the Society for the next 3 years. the Board will establish committees, sub committees or working groups to fulfil ongoing or time-limited governance functions (usually at the start of office of the new National President elect), formed of Trustees, other members, external experts, and operational staff.
the Board regularly evaluates its own performance through the ‘annual Board review’, examining its impact and effectiveness and any improvements required in its organisation or operation. This is done in line with the Charity Commission Governance Code guidance.

The Society’s members are organised in local Conferences to carry out the work of the Charity. Conferences are grouped together in geographical areas and are overseen by District Councils which in turn report to Central Councils which are structured, as far as possible, to reflect the 23 Roman Catholic Dioceses across England & Wales. The President of each Central Council sits on the National Council. No Central Council, District Council or Conference may be established as a separate charity and all constitute parts of the Charity operating under the delegated authority of the Trustees.

SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

These committees are given delegated powers by the main Board of Trustees where each is chaired by a Board member. They are responsible for supporting a specific area of operational oversight and their activities are reported to the Board. As the number and structure of the committees reflect prevailing priorities, they are reviewed and updated periodically. Each committee has its own Terms of Reference, which are reviewed annually.

The role of each of the committees during 2024-25 was as follows:

Finance: reviews and recommends for approval to the board, budgets and other financial governance matters in addition to fundraising.
Community Support Projects: supports and develops sustainable community projects in appropriate areas. Membership & Youth: reviews membership issues, internal relationships, the structure of the Society, recruitment, training at all levels. In late 2024 it incorporated all youth related programmes across schools, colleges, youth hubs, universities, and parishes, as well as oversight of the Vinnie camps through its management team. Vinnie Camps provide a safe and enjoyable experience for young people in accordance with defined Safeguarding and Health & Safety procedures.
Audit & Compliance: oversees Society wide risks and reviews control systems (Safeguarding, Human Resources, Health & Safety, Risk Assessment, Data Protection, IT support and Insurance arrangements) as well as overseeing all internal audit activity.
Safeguarding: oversees systems to ensure that the controls in place are effective and review ongoing case management, deliver training for Conference members, staff and volunteers to ensure general awareness and that procedures are followed.
Twinning: reviews overseas aid activities from local funding to international grant applications and where appropriate emergency aid funding on an ad hoc basis.
Social Justice: explores opportunities for SVP contributions to the poverty agenda, both within and outside the Society and supports campaigning activity.
Prisons: ensures that the Society is fully compliant in all matters relating to working in and outside of prisons with offenders, ex-offenders and families, providing both spiritual and practical support.
Property: reviews and oversees issues and risks relating to SVP property portfolio and maintains statutory requirements where the Society has residential or social housing obligations.
Retail & Social Enterprise: reviews and oversees all activity associated with the national SVP portfolio of Community shops and other income generating projects that sit in either the Charity or the Trading company.

KEY RISKS IDENTIFIED DURING 2024-25

The Trustees regularly review the risks faced by the Charity to develop appropriate controls and deliver the charity’s strategic aims. The main risks monitored include:

Delivery of safe, effective, and personalised poverty relief, especially in the context of charitable activities involving children and vulnerable adults.
Financial sustainability, especially in the context of the current economic situation.
Strategic and Operational, ensuring that our strategy is proportionate and does not lose sight of our overall charitable objects.

Key themes that develop through the Society’s focus on risk management are fed into the annual strategic review. Primarily considering that the Society saw a triple threat to its operations in 2024, as the demand on services continued to grow in the sector, the cost of living continued to rise and the decline in grant funding and legacies contributed in adding extra burden to the already stretched resources across the Charity sector in general. The key risk areas were:

Financial risks

Like many charities, the Society has been impacted by rising costs in building maintenance and infrastructure costs and utility charges by suppliers as a result of the cost of living crisis. We continue to see unprecedented demand for funding and for services from beneficiaries, at a time when some public services have declined and charities have either merged or had to close down. We remain committed to being a real living wage employer and have seen significant staff cost increases in the last year due to this. Like many charities in the sector in order to control increasing costs we had to reduce our operational cost base in late 2024 which led to a number of staff redundancies and a strategic reset on some planned expansion of services.

Fundraising and Grant making bodies

The fundraising landscape continues to impact on us post pandemic, due to the lack of availability of appropriate trusts and grants in the sector, opportunities are reducing as more charities apply for the same funds. To mitigate this, we have invested in further trust fund resources, taken a more targeted approach to certain applications and invested in a legacy management database and a case management system providing more qualitative data on beneficiary outcomes that can be shared with potential funders.

Operational risks

One of the key operational risks we addressed in 2024 was the ongoing management of the Approved Premises (APs) service in Newcastle.

With the approach of the impending contract renewal for the AP service with the MoJ, the staff and Trustees reassessed the risks associated with the service in line with the annual strategic review. With increased pressures from the early release scheme, increased costs and the operational challenges of offering a service that was not SVP core expertise, the Trustees took the difficult decision to novate the contract to another more experienced provider in the field. The SVP, in conjunction with the MoJ, undertook a rigorous novation and transfer exercise over a 12 month period to ensure the service users were not adversely impacted by this change which was concluded in March 25.

KEY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR 2024-25

As stated earlier a revised strategy was developed towards the end of 2024 as a result of the operational cost challenges. The Trustees and the SMT looked at ways to slow the rate of expansion or halt in some cases. For example, plans to expand our emergency housing provision were put on hold to avoid further financial burden to the property portfolio. The Trustees also agreed to liquidate some assets and two properties were put on the market in line with Charity Commission guidance on the disposal of charity properties. Staffing and expansion objectives were reduced and departments were streamlined to offer continued services but, in a cost effective and manageable way, as well focusing on our members and how we can continue to deliver our mission. This also provided the Society with the opportunity to reevaluate what is our core work and to focus all remaining resources and efforts in these areas.

The revised priorities are:

Put our faith and values at the heart of everything we do - the Society is Catholic and Vincentian, and the Board is keen to ensure that the organisation keeps true to these aspects of our identity which underpin our culture and ethos. Our work is informed both by Catholic Social Teaching and by our Vincentian heritage, and while we continue to manage our works in response to need, these are the foundations upon which we build. This foundation informs our ethos but our work is inclusive and supports all those in need, regardless of faith or belief. Our staff and many of our volunteers are of all faiths and none but they share the commitment to Vincentian service and compassion for those in need of help.
To reach out to and welcome those on the peripheries who need our help - the Catholic Church has recently undertaken a synodal process of listening and discernment. The initial published documents emphasise the need to reach out and journey with those on the peripheries. This objective is also a restatement of the words of the Vincentian prayer on the theme of our vocation, “to seek and find those who are forgotten and to bring your love to the suffering or deprived.”
Be a cohesive Society where members and staff work together - we are first and foremost a membership organisation and so we reinforced our priorities on being “member led”. Therefore, enabling and supporting our members and staff in order to deliver against our objects, through effective training and shared values and reaffirmation of Catholic Social teaching.
To campaign for social justice in order to effect change for those we serve - in our Vincentian prayer on the theme of social justice we are called “to be a voice for the voiceless.” While we have long been a society of practical action, we have not always been as proactive on social justice and addressing the systemic causes of poverty, be that government policy or regional and national structures which contribute to disadvantages. So, this is an area of focus for us going forward.
To achieve financial sustainability – sustained growth only if it is underpinned by sustainable income. The Society continues to develop a portfolio of funding streams to provide resilient funding. Fundraising, retail, investments and our trading operations are all key to those plans.
Deliver a coherent and consistent brand – in order to respond to demand, to deliver our services and develop our income streams, it is important that people know who we are and what we do. We want to develop a strong and well-known identity in all areas of our work that is consistent, easily recognisable and speaks of who we are, what we do and what we stand for.

OTHER UNDERTAKINGS

The SVP is the custodian trustee for the following three undertakings:

The Pen-y-Pound House Fund was formed in 1973 to alleviate poverty in the Catholic Archdiocese of Cardiff. It comprises a permanent endowment fund which is invested on a recognised stock exchange to provide income for furthering the Trust’s objectives.
The TB Hunt Fund is a permanent endowment fund established with monies left to the SVP by Thomas Bernard Hunt, who died in 1928. His desire was to alleviate poverty among the Catholic poor in the areas of Leicester and Market Harborough. The SVP distributes grants on a quarterly basis to people in need in these areas. In April 2025 the charity put in a request to the Charity Commission to change its objects to expand the scope to include the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham, which includes Leicester and Market Harborough and this was approved. The Francis Thompson Fund is a permanent endowment fund arising from a legacy whose terms are to invest the fund in quoted investments on a recognised stock exchange to provide an income for Christ the King Conference in Wavertree, Liverpool.
In addition, the Society has oversight of: The David Young Charity (charity number: 238877)

FUNDRAISING STRATEGY

The difficulties facing the whole voluntary sector in recent years show no signs of easing as we move through 2025. Many charities continue to grapple with a tough mix of falling income, rising operational costs, and growing demand for services. At the same time, as households across the country feel the pinch, competition for charitable support has become even more fierce. Investment in a case management database is coming to fruition with meaningful and qualitative data on beneficiary outcomes which can be shared with potential funders.

At the heart of what we do is our Vincentian mission to turn concern into action. We would not be able to do this without the kindness and generosity of our donors and supporters who have helped us reach the peripheries to ensure we can respond and restore dignity to all who are facing a crisis.

The year saw a record breaking and successful summer raffle with 79,610 tickets sold. Our annual Christmas Appeal also raised an incredible £163,321, and a big thank you to the major donors, whose support created a match-funding pot of £59,897 to incentivise pound for pound match giving during the appeal.

We continue to benefit from grants, in-memoriam donations, gifts in wills, and donations made through the purchase of alternative gifts in our Christmas catalogue. The continuation of our weekly lottery, running with 153 players provided another source of income.

Donors to The St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) can be confident that we comply with the regulatory standards for fundraising. We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator and adhere to the Code of Fundraising Practice which covers the requirements charities must follow as set out in the Charities Act 2016.

All our staff in the national fundraising team are members of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and we join online fundraising networks, attend webinars and online fundraising Conferences to keep up to date with regulations, the latest research and reports, trends and developments in fundraising and the future funding landscape.

The Board of Trustees is kept informed of fundraising practice through regular reports from the Director of Fundraising. Several board members are personally involved in supporting and promoting fundraising initiatives such as the Christmas and Rise to the Challenge appeals.

No commercial participators were engaged to carry out fundraising on behalf of the Charity. However, due to fundraising staff shortages and a challenging recruitment market, professional fundraisers were engaged on a freelance basis to submit applications on behalf of the Charity during the year. During the year, no failure to comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice was reported and no fundraising complaints were received.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees (who are also directors of St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

and

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the reparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Public benefit

The Board of Trustees has given regard to the legislative and regulatory requirements for disclosing how its charitable objectives have provided benefit to the public. The Board of Trustees has complied with the duties set out in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011. This report outlines how our achievements during 2024-25 have benefitted the public, either directly or indirectly.

The Trustees’ Report (including the Strategic Report) was approved on behalf of the Board of Trustees (in their capacity as company directors) on DATE NEEDED at the annual AGM and signed on their behalf by Elaine Heyworth, National President and Chair of Trustees.

Elaine Heyworth, Chair of Trustees

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

GOING CONCERN

The Trustees have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis after taking into account future budgets and cash forecasts covering the period of at least 12 months from the date of this report. The Trustees have identified no material uncertainties that cast significant doubt about the ability of the Society to continue as a going concern.

NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

The overall net movement in funds for the year ended 31 March 2025 was a surplus of £1,269,378 compared to a deficit of £1,514,198 in the year ended 31 March 2024. This is largely of a result of pension gain.

INCOME

Total income for the year increased by £438,361 to £16,235,862 compared to £15,797,501 in 2024. In 2024/25 we have followed discontinued operations accounting as a result of novating the Approved Premises.

EXPENDITURE

The total expenditure in 2025 amounted to £18,195,589 compared to £17,588,493 in 2024 representing an increase of £607,096. This was largely due to increased expenditure across some services and especially on retail shops expansion £4,948,038 in 2025 compared to £4,458,313 in 2024 and spend at our Residential Provision (£2,620,461 in 2025 compared to £2,154,015 in 2024).

GAINS AND LOSSES

The net loss on investments for 2025 amounted to £21,440 compared to a gain of £214,332 in 2024.

PENSION FUND

The actuarial loss recognised on the pension fund in 2025 amounted to (£47,000) compared to a loss of £42,000 in 2024. However, the Tyne & Wear Pension fund was exited and crystallised on 30th March 2025 resulting in a pension gain of £3,199,800.

CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND

The group cash at bank and in hand amounted to £4,795,200 in 2025 compared to £5,066,102 in 2024, representing a decrease of £270,902.

TOTAL FUNDS

The total group funds at 31 March 2025 amounted to £12,515,777 compared to £11,246,400 at 31 March 2024 representing an increase of £1,269,377. A comparative summary of each category of fund is included in the balance sheet, and there is a detailed breakdown in note 24 of the accounts.

AUDITOR’S REPORT

OPINION

We have audited the financial statements of St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the consolidated statement of financial activities, the group and charity sheets and the consolidated cash flow statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the group and the parent charitable company as at 31 March 2025 and of the group’s incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

BASIS FOR OPINION

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING CONCERN

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

OTHER INFORMATION

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• the information given in the Trustees’ Annual Report which includes the Directors’ Report and the Strategic Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the Trustees’ Annual Report which includes the Directors’ Report and the Strategic Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charitable company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Annual Report and Strategic Report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities set out on page 26, the trustees (who are also the directors of the parent charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have been appointed as auditors under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with regulations made under that Act. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the group and parent financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, are detailed in the following.

IDENTIFYING AND ASSESSING RISKS RELATED TO IRREGULARITIES

We assessed the susceptibility of the group and parent charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement and how fraud might occur, including through discussions with the trustees, discussions within our audit team planning meeting, updating our record of internal controls and ensuring these controls operated as intended. We evaluated possible incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements. We identified laws and regulations that are of significance in the context of the group and parent charitable company by discussions with trustees and updating our understanding of the sectors in which the group and parent charitable company operate. Laws and regulations of direct significance in the context of the group and parent charitable company include the Companies Act 2006 and guidance issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

==> picture [33 x 40] intentionally omitted <==

AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

AUDIT RESPONSE TO RISKS IDENTIFIED

We considered the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items, including a review of financial statement disclosures. We reviewed the parent charitable company’s records of breaches of laws and regulations, minutes of meetings and correspondence with relevant authorities to identify potential material misstatements arising. We discussed the parent charitable company’s policies and procedures for compliance with laws and regulations with members of management responsible for compliance. During the planning meeting with the audit team, the engagement partner drew attention to the key areas which might involve non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud. We enquired of management whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations or knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. We addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and identifying any significant transactions that were unusual or outside the normal course of business. We assessed whether judgements made in making accounting estimates gave rise to a possible indication of management bias. At the completion stage of the audit, the engagement partner’s review included ensuring that the team had approached their work with appropriate professional scepticism and thus the capacity to identify non compliance with laws and regulations and fraud. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above, and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.

This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

USE OF OUR REPORT

This report is made solely to the parent charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the parent charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the parent charitable company and the parent charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Sally Appleton

(Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of Saffery LLP Statutory Auditors 10 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP

Saffery LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

15,797,501

18,195,589

1,269,377 (1,269,377)

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

3,973,580		842,463
3,973,580	4,217,036	842,463
4,795,200	4,760,879	5,066,102
8,781,047	8,980,928
1,109,546	1,202,785	1,010,875
7,671,501	7,778,143	7,778,143
622,282	622,282	437,780
12,515,777	11,310,545	11,246,400
-	-
12,515,777	11,310,545	11,246,400
1,106,080	189,386	1,150,540
1,359,352	1,089,453	1,609,728
625,477	625,477	625,477
3,566,195	3,566,195	5,780,958
5,858,673	5,840,034	2,079,697
12,515,777	11,310,545	11,246,400

28th

STVINCENT DE PAULSOCIETY (ENGLAND &WALES) t)NSQLIDATEDCA5HFLQWSTATEMENT FQR THE PERK>D ENDED 31 Mavch2025 2025 2024 Note Netcush (used In) operotlng actlvltl (1.608.941) (1.540.585) Netcu¥h used In bylnvestlng qctlTAtI 1.153.538 (a54.8) N•tcu¥h ProvId byllnanclnguctfvltSes 184,602 IB3,421 (DTea5) Incaih In they•or (270.901) (1,747.985) R•conclll<rtlonol n•tca¥h Ilowts mown•ntln n•tlunds IDecreL7sel in cosh for the year (270.001) (1.747.885) Net funds at bInnIng Ot y80r 6,068,101 6,814,088 N•tfundat•nd oly•ar 4.795.200 ,068,101 2028 2024 a. RKon¢llluilon oIn¢sh ui•d InowutSno4¢iMIl•• Net lexpendSturel I Ineome & pensk goln betore ivoluotbns 1.240.0715 (1,790,992) [242,388) 226.608 Investment Income (283,048) 200.327 D•proclation Loss I Iprofltl on dlsposol of flx8d ossets 298,021 Detined benefit scherne net Interest expen58 (5.000) (uooo) (B,000) (37,000) urrent servlce ¢o$r In ex¢e$s ot employer contribut6on$ Incr8 In cr8d5tor8 90.871 3115.870 {In¢re¢sel I rease In det)iors Drease I Iinci8osel in BtockB (3.131.117) 272 17.130 (13,817) N•t ca•h (u••d In) Iprovld•d tyop•ratSngact5¥ltl•• (1.60B,941) 11,546,585) N•t cq•h pro¥ld•d by {u••d In) Inv••ilng odvhl Investment Incorn• 283,048 242,388 Proceeds Irom srjle ol Il$ted Investments 1.224.592 140.209 Purchase of Investm8nt8 (80,097) {143,673) (1,945) unreali5ed Gain5 eliminatecl on di5P05oI Decrease In Revlve Investment 81575 108,421 {Increa5e} in c05h helcl within investment px)rttdio 26.5015 14.328 Purchose ot tonglble tSxed o$sets (382245) (705.827) 1,153.538 (3S4,821) Analysl•ol N•t Fund* Asat A¥qt 01 Apr 2024 Cash fkws 31-Mo25 Cash ot bank and in hond 6.060.1 1270.9011 4.79S.200 5.066.101 1270,9011 4,795,200 32

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

m) Funds

Unrestricted tunds are donatK>ns and othei incoming resources receNed genefoted for the charitable purposes. Endowment lunds orefunds for which the ossets must be hdd permonently bythe Society. Further detoils of these lunds ore shown in note 24. 35

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

STVINCENT DE PAULSOCIETY (ENGLAND &WALES) NOTESTOTHE FINANCIALSTATEMENTS FOR THEPERIODENDED31 2025 TOTAL INCIXIING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR This is stated arter including the tollowing main grant& 2025 2024 Vlsirs & osslsronce to indtviduols & lomil Porta Pia 36.000 35,000 Household Support Fund Gront 130.084 125,000 Shops & furniture store5 SheftSeld Clty Councll- Voluntory Sector Gronts Fund 61299 53,283 Support C9nt$ other gronts recelved (under £10,000) National Lottery Ivoriou5 piogrommes) 285.479 386,184 183.470 135.640 Notlonol Clt12en$ Adv[¢• 140,964 111,720 Wirral 8orou9h Council Soclol Inve5lment 8usiness ISIBI 89,224 194,147 S7.000 Allled Irlsh eank IAIBI Gront Funding Leeds Communty Foundation 0.000 46,e62 25,000 5treetgames 43.701 Minlstry ot Jusiie- Grond Av•nu•s 34.019 102057 Knott J TST 30,IXIO Morl$t FOth•r$ Gront 30.000 Assumpilon Lg9ocyQrant 25,1)00 Burbour Foundotion 20,000 Waterloo Foundoiion 25.1)QQ Newcastle Comrnunlty Foundatlon 24,800 11,200 Chorloy ec 23.750 Allve In Fulth (Eost Angllo 0CS¢} 20,IX)O 10,000 Sl$t•rs ot th• Holy Cro$s Giont Communlty Invesimeni 8ooid- Southen(I 20.000 18.IXO 22,422 Groundwork UK ,eoo HOP0Stl Gront Albert Hunt SP 14,000 Seoking Asylum Fund 12.331 11331 UK Shrjred Prosperlty Fund- Chorley B&Q Foundation 11.000 io,000 Gorfl8lrJ Weston 75,000 Charities Trust Grant 73,500 Hollyhock Chorty Digital Stations Grant London North Eostern Roilwoy 65,000 40,000 33,334 Charities Aid Foundotion 33,200 Advi¢e UK 23,175 V801ia Enviromental Trust 20,400 Morrisons Foundotion 10,000 Mefcy Project Isothcciol Innovotion Fund 10,000 10,000 Primary Health 10,000 EXPENDITVREQN RAISINGFiINDS 2025 2024 Funds Funds Total Total 39

staff costs 660.839 668.839 598.419 other staff and volunteer eKpenses I870 18,870 40,518 Fundroising expenses 69.786 69.786 38.594 Troding octivit$ X*.682 20.682 30.361 Investment monagers. tees 6.850 8,850 13,374 Prop8rty expenses 70.348 70,348 109,346 Offi¢e expensss 61709 62.789 38.736 Other costs 59337 59,337 71247 Support C05t5 (note 6) 127.7SI 127.751 132.628 1.105.252 1,105,252 1,074,221 All the above expenditure was trom unrestricted tunds in both pw•Jd& 40

STVINCENT DE PAUL SOCIErY (ENGLAND& WALES) NOTESTOTHE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED31 2025 EXPENDITUK Y•qr•nd•d 31 March2026 r•rants SuPport$t$ {not•l0) (not•8) (not•9) dlr•cteo¥ts Total Expenditure on roising tunds (note 5} Charitable activit18S 868.83• 300.662 127.761 1.106.262 Visits & a555stance to individuols and lamil 357.800 1580.013 856.012 3.799.891 Retail 1644414 1469.839 829.985 4,948,03B Holldays r>nd comps Re$5dontiol pr(>vision Communlty Support PrtsJect$ social Enterprise Actbviti•S 168.813 139.008 305.821 l605214 765.769 249.470 2.820,461 1.927.n7 079.114 B69,436 3,376.279 507.103 329.08ry 134.231 971.299 Twlnning 408.084 3.150 140.093 627.099 Youth Development Programm8 231003 57,sn 152,073 441,849 Total charitoble octivities 7,345.Tn 408,084 8,2157.758 3,079,318 (3307,080) 17,090.338 Support costs 1042.47• 24N61 1.140,128 10,056.497 432,546 7.706,548 18.195.688 Yeor ended 31 pA(3rch 2024 Stolf ¢o$i$ Gronts Other Support ¢osis {not• 10} {not• 8) (not• 9} diieet ¢o$ts Ytstal Expend5ture on rrjlsing tund$ {note 5) Chorltable actIV•s 1190,420 34J,In 131820 1,074321 Vl$lt$ & a$$l$tane• to Indlvlduols and 10mllS 3211.920 1070.510 802.031 3.079,301 Retall 1.4fr9,1•3 793.982 4.408.313 Holldays and camps Resldentlol provision Communliy Support Projects Soclal Enterprlse Actfvltle$ 380.n7 140,321 621,118 IO37.883 374,907 X41,4415 11114,015 l824,704 I1150,378 608.n4 1,381,BO8 5815.004 311.40S 143.211 1,039.820 Twlnning 421243 34.446 IS15.120 888.840 Youth Progromme t)evek)pment 2010•2 04.08• 11514.709 423.319 Totol charltoble octlvltles IA86,234 I190.700 42U4S 29.41 6,488,304 1.224.004 3.119,493 lJ.215111gJ 16,1514,2n Support cost$ 9,083.354 451.8S8 8,053.481 17,588,493 NErEXPENDITUREFOR THE YEAR This Is stated oltei chorging.. X12S 2024 Depreclation 200.327 226.688 TFUStee5 indemnity insuronce 3.470 3.470 Trustees reimbursed expenses Auditor5 remuneration (excludin9 VAT).. 1.957 3.920 statutory audit 39.500 37.900 Operoting lease rentals.. Prop8rty 990.852 933.510 During the yeor 612024.. 81 trustee5 were reimturse(l expense& This totolled £I957 (2024.. £3.9201. In oddition £Nil {2024.. £Niil wos poid on beholf ol Trustees dire¢tly to third parties. Expenses related to reimbursement for trav and accommodation. subsistence. tdephone. postage and Statery an¢J are in rdation to their roles os trustees. In accordance with the articles of OSSOCKJtion, the Society paid a prernium of £147012024.. £14701 for trustee indemnity insurance to the value of £6 million12024.. £6 41

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

441,795

STVINCENT DE PAULSOCIETY (ENGLAND &WALES) NOTESTO THE FINANCIALSTATEMENTS FOR THEPERIOO ENDED31 Morch2025 17. SUBSIDIARYUNOERTAKINGS (C¢>ntinu•d) Thèpen-y-pound HOUSeFund {Capltaland Ineom•} 2025 2024 Incoming r8sourc8S Choritoble expenditure 14,443 14,16 Net outgoing re50urce5 tor the year 14.443 14.159 Unrealised Ilossesl I gains l27,6281 46,S7B Net movement in funds (13.086) 60,734 Funds brought fomard 458.918 398,184 Fund• ¢aNl•d foNard 446.832 458,918 The aggr0t@ ol the ossets, Ikjblllties ond l(Jnds wos.. Investm8nts 487,199 514.728 Net curr8nt assets (41.367) (ss.810) 445.832 41b8,918 Funds.. Endowment fund 407,193 434.722 Incom8 fund 38,839 24,198 445.832 408,918 Th1$ 1$ o s¢porote Choittoble trust controlled by the Soclety os rhe Trusiees ot the Soclety ore the Tiusiees ot the Pen-Y-Poun¢ Fund. The trust's moln oblectlve 5$ 10 lurther the work ol the Romon Coihollc Church Sn r•lknvln9 th• poor ol Romon Cotholie Arehdi¢X•5• 01 Cardrft. Duvld Young'schuilty 2025 2024 Incoming r8sourc88 Churltable exp•nd5tur• 10.293 11,282 {7.686) (15,091) N•t outgolng re50ure•5 toi th• y•ar 2,607 (3.829) Uniea115ed (lossesl I galns Reolise(J Iiossesl I goins Net movement in lunds 8,06B {44) 4,192 8,762 Funds brought forward 248,S06 242,404 Fundi caNl•d fobward 253.348 248.598 The aggrate ol the asset* Ibblllties and lunds wis.. Investments 248.013 244,888 Net current a558ts 4.335 1.728 253,348 246.596 Funds.. Endowment fund 208.102 196.109 R8Strict8d tund 45.246 60.487 253.348 246.596 Dovid Young s Chority is controlled by the Societyos the Societyoppoinis the TTusiees ot the ehority. Thefigures Tncluded in these consolidated actounts ore for the year ended 31 March 2025 as this is the dote to which the subsKliary prepaies thwr accounts. there have been no moterial changes in the three months to 31 March 2025. The Trust's main objective is the relief of hardship or distress by moking 9ronis of money. 46

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

The St Vincent De Paul Society (England & Wales) Trading Limited

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

297,517 4,217,036

STVINCENT DE PAULSOCIETY (ENGLAND &WALES) NOTES TOTHE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIODENDED31 March 2025 20. CREDITORS:AMOUNTSFALLINGDUEwrrMNONEYEAII Churity Group Charity 2025 2025 2024 2024 Trade credltors 446,979 547.578 376,593 414,098 other creditors 87.082 86.$83 76.187 91.459 other tuxation and social security I40,6 140.836 158.S91 IS8.591 Accruals 207,057 201.196 275.675 250.738 Dglerr8d income m246 211246 107.482 107.482 ortgage on Freehold Property 16.347 16.347 18.347 18,347 1.109.548 1202.785 1.010.875 1,038.715 Included wlthln other ¢redltoi$ ore ouisiondlng pensbn contritwtions ot £83.990 (2024= £75.676). 21. CREDITORS:AMOUNTSFALLINODUEAFTER MORETHAN ONEYEAA Churtty 202S Group 2024 Charity 2025 2024 Mortgage on Freehold Pioperty 821282 437.780 437,780 622.282 822,282 437.780 437,780 Th• mortgag• on the Frehold Property Ot 12 Allr•d fttx Cromer 1$ hold v•ith the NOtw•st Bonk. The loon amwnt 15 £300,000 paid ov•r 0 20 yeor term. The fllsi 10 yeors are on a Flxed rate at 5.24% and the remoiniry10 years at 2.4X over the ban's base late unless othewse ogreed. The mortgage on the Freehold Property at Newcastle t11 C•ntr Is h•ld wlth th• NOtw•st Bank. Th• loon om¢JUnt Is £270,000 Ir•duced by a earty repayment 01 £95,000) pald ovei a 20 y8ai term. Th tlrstlo yaars or• on o Flxed rotg ot 6.61% ond the remalnln910 year$ ot 2.5% over the bonks bose rote un$ otheNAse ogreed. The l)onk has a iegisteied Chorge ot Companle$ House doted 5th July 2022 on th• prop•rty by way ol1•901 mort909•. tsJring the y•ai. on additional lon9 term loan for £198.790 was aqulred through Soclal Investment Bu51ne88 ISIBI and was used 10 purchose tsn addltlonol pioperty ot Eckers Road In FOkhrn. The term ol the Is 72 month$ and the Interest rate at 7.90X pr) wlth o eapital repayrn•nt holKloy 0112 month5 11s)m 01 Nov•mb•i 2024. 22. DeFINED8eNEFIT PEN$II)N SCHEME LIABILITY Some ot the Society's 8rnpIoy8es belong to o local Govwnrnent PenSn Sehernes ILGPSI.. the Tym and Wear PenSn Fund ITWPFI The LGP5 is o funded defined beneflt plan with benetits eorned up to 31 March 2014 being linked to final satory. Benetits ofter 31 March 2014 are based on a Career Average RevrJlLJed Eornlngs Scheme. Detoils of the benellis eorned over the period Coveted by thls disclo$urÈ ore set out in'The Local Government Penslon S¢heme Regulation5 2013. and Yhe Locol Government PenSn Scheme {Tionsrtionol PFOW5ior)¥ Savings orKI Amendrnentl Regulotions 2014.. Untll the date of cessotlon on 30th Morch 2025 of belng In the scheme, the assets and Ikjbllilles volued on ihe follovAng bosls below, but the exlt rjnd post yeor end ¢ry$tollizotion ot Ihe surplus hos led io recognition ¥thIn debttrs dvewlhin oneyeur. The funded n£rture ol the LGP5 require$ porticipaling employer5 its employees to wy ¢ontributions into the Fund, ¢otulote¢Y ot o levd intended io bolun¢e the pensw liobilit$ with investment 055ets. Intormotion on the Iromework toi calculoting contributions to be poid 15 set out in LGP5 Regubtion5 2013 ond the Fund'5 Funding Strotegy 5t(rternent. The last actuariol volvotion wa5 at 31 Malch 2022 and the contributions to be paid until 31 March 2025 resulting trom that valuation ale set out in the Fund s Rotes and Adjustment Certiticate. The Fund Admlnlsterlng Authorlty resrxjnslble for the9overnor of the Fund is Souih Tyneskle. The osset$ ollocated to the Employer In the Fund ore notionol orKI oreossumed to be invested in line th the investments of the Fund toi the purptsse5 of calculotlng the return to be applied to those notK)nal assets over the accounting wvjd. The Fund is brge and holds o svjnrficant prOportn ot its assets in liquid investments. A5 a consequence there will be no signilicont reStrtIOn on reolising osseis it o lorge poyment is required to be poid from the tund in relotlon to un employer's1Subllities. The osset5 ore invested in g diversified spreod of investmerbts ond the oppioximote s11 ot ossets tot the fund os o whole Ib05ed on doto supplied by the Administering Authority) is shown in the ¢Jisclosures. The Administering Authority may investa smoll proportion ol the Funds investments in Ihe a55ets of wme ol the employer5 porticipating in the Fund if it lorms part ot rheir bolon¢ed investment strotegy. 49

As8•tvolotlllty The lirjbilities used tor occounting purposes are colculuted using o discount rote setwth reference to corporote bond wekls. tt ossets underpert(>rm thls th5$ vlll ¢reote a deficit in the oc¢ounts. The FurKI hold5 Q 5ignificont proportion of growth 05%1s whvlIe expected to outpertorm corporate bonds in the long term, creates volatilityand risk in the short term in relation to theaccounting figure& 50

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

==> picture [20 x 7] intentionally omitted <==

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ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

1,105,281 1,359,352

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

1,359,352

11,246,400 16.23S,862 (18.195.589) 3.229.104 12.515.777 Detoils ¢on¢erning the purposes of endowment re5tri¢te(J ond desNJnoted furK15 corb be found on the t01bng puge& 55

STVINCENT DE PAULSOCIETY (ENGLAND &WALES) NOTESTO THE FINANCIALSTATEMENTS FOR THEPERIOO ENDED31 Morch2025 24. MOVEMENT IN FUNOS {c¢>ntinu•d} prlotyeut mo¥em¢ntln lunds Atl Aprll 2013 Gttlnsand At 31 Mar¢h TTan8l•rs {10$8•5) 2024 Endowm•ntlunds: Sub81dlarl08 (not• 17): David Young s Charity 188.088 8,021 196.109 Pen-Y-Pound House copitol tund 388,147 46,575 434.722 TB Hunt Trust capital fund 2B9.616 28.814 318.430 Churlty: The Estate ot Francls Thornpson 181,158 20,121 201.279 Totol•ndowm•ntlunds 1.047.009 103.631 1,150.540 R•Btrlct•d fund•: Sub•ldSar59• (not• 17): Dovid Young 5 Charily 53.379 11.262 {15.091) 49,550 Pen-Y-Pound House income fund 10.037 14.159 24,196 T8 Hunt Trust Ineomo funcl 30.043 a759 (7,220) 31,582 Charlty: Approved pr8m15e4 Newcastle 358,000 1410001 318,000 Comrnunlty Grant 25.000 (25.000) Restrlcted legocle5 l679.266 11.679.286) Revive Leeds 110,929 110,929 Twinning Youth Hollyhock lund 263,583 390,200 {35&028) 295.755 54,345 54,345 Speclol restrlcled funds 641519 11516211 495,898 Other restrleted lunds 176.130 8Td,179 {617,838) 231,473 Total r•itA¢i•d fvnd* 3.354.806 1.097.fj50 {998.vs} (1.801542) {41000) 1.609.728 Unr•Btrlct•d fund•: D85Fnot8d funds. AP BuSldlng Funij 174,356 159,1371 Conference funds 2,914,184 2409.972 {Z18Z451) {1,Tr9) 3,159,98e CSP Project Fund 193.741 {105,0491 88,692 Fixed osset fund 597.439 (16&1541

L189

520,474 Notionol Shops Stort up Funds 51,866 21354 74,220 Revive Distribution IZS00 104,462 116,962 Shops Development Fun<J IcovKI Gront$) Social Enterprise Retoined Income Fund 97.938 {29,0441 1104.2311 {174,2441 68,894 149.757 45.526 St Judes Soles Proceeds 327,908 153,664 Twinning 275,561 23L297 {143,484) 383,374 Speciol desi9noteé funds Centrol Council Projects Fund 706.579 1190.846} {2514441 (Iz203} 1456,4931 515,733 Cost of Living Fund 281117 23.598 (6751 (3941 {IM691 51,596 Innovotlon FLJnd 117215 104,618 Totol Speciol deswnated lunds 1,105,911 23.598 6,947 other designated funds 480272 wo 179,5721 402,000 56

Totol dèsignated funds Revaluation res8rve 6J81.433 1666.167 (1475.158} (98S.416) 193.932 5,780,958 625A77 625,477 Generrjl fun<Js 1,351,793 IZ033.775 (14.115.160) (16.590.318) 1787,958 1079,697 Total unrestrlct•dfund8 8.358,703 14.699.942 1.801542 215.263 8,488,132 12.780.6•8 i6.n7.801 (p.s88.4•3) 276.794 17,246,400 Oetoi15 concerning the purposes of endowment restricted orKI designated furKls car) Èe found on the following page 57

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

Restricted legacies

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

Other restricted funds

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

Helen O’Shea

29. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

On 01 April 2025 the assets and liabilities of Hopeworx was transferred to the charity.

Hopeworx is a non for profit community enterprise and charity trading as a community furniture project in Rayleigh.

30. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On 30th March 2025 the contract with Minister of Justice (MOJ) ceased and was transferred to a new provider.

The discontinued operations relate to St Christopher’s and Ozanam House in Newcastle.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

31. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Status

The St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) is a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated on 13 March 1996 and registered as a charity on 25 March 1996.

Governing document

The St Vincent de Paul Society was established under a memorandum of association which established the objects and powers of the organisation and is governed under its articles of association revised and adopted by Special Resolution on 2 August 2019. Company Number: 3174679 Charity Number: 1053992 Registered and Principal Office: Allenby House, Rees Way, Bradford, BD3 0DZ

Senior Management Team

Chief Executive Officer: Kate Nightingale Director of Finance: Chris Lucas Director of Governance: Beverley Whittaker Director of Membership Services Sarah Barber Director of Retail, Trading and Social Enterprise: Helen Voyce Director of Internal & External Affairs: Timothy O’Sullivan

Patrons

Cardinal Vincent Nichols Sir John Battle Auditors Saffery LLP 10 Wellington Place Leeds LS1 4AP

Bankers National Westminster Bank plc 250 Bishopsgate London EC2M 4AA

Solicitors VWV 24 King William Street London EC4R 9AT

Investment Advisers Rathbones (Incorporating Investec Wealth & Investment (UK)) 2 Castlefield Court Church Street Reigate Surrey RH2 0AH CCLA Senator House 85 Queen Victoria St London EC4V 4ET

2025-03-31-accounts

TRUSTEES REPORT

MISSION, VISION & VALUES

CONTENTS

OUR VISION

OUR MISSION

OUR VALUES

WE CONTINUE TO KEEP THE DOORS OF HOPE OPEN

A YEAR OF OPENING DOORS, OFFERING HOPE

336,821 visits | made to those in need

Types of practical assistance given:

Types of beneficiaries:

SVP Canvey Island Food Hub

St James’, Twickenham

A DOORWAY THROUGH GRIEF, A PATH TO HOPE

“Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart”

235 visits took place at 73 different Evesham & people visited Droitwich both Cafés

Cafés

24 people completed the Bereavement Journey course

“This is a different approach to a difficult subject”

OPENING DOORS OF HOPE TO THOSE SEEKING SAFETY

Supporting a family through the asylum journey

Finding safety & building a new life

YOUNG HEARTS, OPEN DOORS, NEW HOPE

Reflection from our Wirral Camp Leader

THROUGH EVERY DOOR A WELCOME, EVERY WELCOME A BLESSING

Cara found her voice, her passion and her future

Tower House: breaking social isolation

Meet Declan

Taylor-Mae’s journey through arts & cooking

DWELLING IN HOPE: HOMES BUILT ON FAITH

Our project units are compromised of:

HOPE TRAVELS FAR:

OPENING DOORS OVERSEAS

SVP India Conference

SVP India Member

SVP South Sudan

SVP India Conference

FROM BARRIERS TO DOORWAYS: HOPE THROUGH JUSTICE

HOPE IN EVERY AISLE: OPENING DOORS THROUGH RETAIL

OUR FUNDRAISING YEAR IN NUMBERS

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

KEY RISKS IDENTIFIED DURING 2024-25

Financial risks

Fundraising and Grant making bodies

Operational risks

KEY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR 2024-25

The revised priorities are:

OTHER UNDERTAKINGS

FUNDRAISING STRATEGY

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

Public benefit

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

GOING CONCERN

NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

INCOME

EXPENDITURE

GAINS AND LOSSES

PENSION FUND

CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND

TOTAL FUNDS

AUDITOR’S REPORT

OPINION

BASIS FOR OPINION

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING CONCERN

OTHER INFORMATION

OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

IDENTIFYING AND ASSESSING RISKS RELATED TO IRREGULARITIES

AUDITOR’S REPORT CONTINUED

AUDIT RESPONSE TO RISKS IDENTIFIED

USE OF OUR REPORT

Sally Appleton

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (ENGLAND & WALES)

m) Funds