SVP Happy Families - Week Two: Mr In Debt

Today marks the start of week two in the St Vincent de Paul Society's (SVP) 'Happy Families?' awareness month campaign. Posters will be going up in parishes across England and Wales featuring 'Mr In Debt who can't pay the bills.'

Mr In Debt is typical of the kind of person the SVP helps every week. Nearly 10,000 SVP members visited 80,000 people last year, helping people like Mr In Debt who are experiencing financial hardship and struggling to pay for essential items and bills. The SVP gave out grants, members helped negotiate payment plans with service providers and provided a listening ear to people living in poverty.

Through the 'Happy Families?' campaign, the SVP wants parishioners to become more aware of families and individuals struggling to cope with their financial situation. These people can be referred to SVP Conferences for assistance. The SVP also wants to recruit new members to help carry out the work of visiting and befriending. And for parishioners who can't afford the time to volunteer but want to support the SVP, the campaign seeks to raise funds.

To find out more, telephone SVP national office on 020 7703 3030, email AnitaB@svp.org.uk

or visit: www.svp.org.uk