Daughters of Charity Services to close after establishing lay-led Vincentian charities

Source: Daughters of Charity

Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul Services, the Vincentian charity established to strengthen and support a family of frontline charities serving people experiencing poverty, exclusion and disadvantage across Great Britain, has announced it will formally close later this year after successfully fulfilling its founding mission.

Established in 2012 by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, the charity was created to unite six Vincentian charities within a single group structure, providing governance, shared services, infrastructure and Vincentian formation during a significant period of transition from Daughter-led to lay-led leadership.

Over the past fourteen years, that model has enabled the member charities to flourish. Today, each organisation has developed strong governance, independent leadership and a deep commitment to the Vincentian charism, allowing them to continue their mission with confidence as autonomous charities.

Following an extensive period of review and discernment earlier this year, it was concluded that Daughters of Charity Services had successfully fulfilled its founding purpose and reached the natural conclusion of its role.

As a result, on 3rd March 2026 the group structure was dissolved, with the member charities becoming fully independent organisations rather than operating within a parent-subsidiary model.

Reflecting on the decision, Chair of Daughters of Charity Services, Sister Ellen Flynn, said: "As we bring Daughters of Charity Services to a close, we do so with profound gratitude. To everyone who has supported, guided, worked with, volunteered for, funded, partnered with, or championed Daughters of Charity Services over the years, thank you. Your dedication, generosity, compassion and commitment have touched countless lives and helped bring Vincentian values to life in communities Great Britain."Most importantly, thank you for the love you have shown to those we serve. We pay tribute to those we have accompanied and supported whose lives are our inspiration and the reason for our being. To honour Jesus Christ, as the source and model of all charity through respecting the dignity and person of people experiencing poverty, exclusion and vulnerability and doing everything that we can to address their needs, is the true legacy of the Daughters of Charity."

The review also looked beyond the life of the charity itself. A facilitator was appointed to work alongside the six charities and the wider Vincentian family to explore how relationships, collaboration and shared formation could continue into the future.

This work culminated in a conference held in May, bringing together leaders and representatives from across the Vincentian network of charities to prayerfully discern the next chapter of their shared mission.

Participants committed to ensuring the ongoing work of the member charities in serving those most in need through Vincentian values for generations to come. They also agreed to develop a shared vision for future collaboration, strengthen connections through networks, shared learning and formation, empower the CEOs of the six original charities to lead the next phase of this work, and deepen the Vincentian commitment to justice by combining compassionate service with advocacy for people experiencing poverty and exclusion.

Although Daughters of Charity Services will cease to exist as a charity, those involved emphasise that this represents the beginning of a new chapter for Vincentian collaboration in Great Britain.

Sister Ellen Flynn added: "While this marks the end of an important chapter, it is not the end of the Vincentian mission that has inspired and united us. Rather, it is an opportunity for that mission to continue in new ways through the strength, commitment and shared values of our organisations and the wider Vincentian community.

"The charity itself may be closing, but the Vincentian spirit that has brought us together remains very much alive. We look to the future with hope, confidence and gratitude, knowing that together we will continue to carry forward the Vincentian charism and serve those most in need."