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Society of St Vincent de Paul
Northern Regional Office
196-200 Antrim Road
Belfast
BT15 2AJ
Tel: 02890-351561
Fax: 02890-740522
Email: info@svpni.co.uk
Reg. Charity XN45800
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Case Studies |
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Pam's StoryPam originally came from a rural are in Northern Ireland, but moved to Belfast after the breakup of her marriage. She has two daughters and is currently on income support.
"I worked for many years as a legal secretary in Dublin, but I suffered physical and mental abuse throughout those years because of my husband's alcohol problem. Eventually I packed my bags, took my children and headed for Belfast, to get as far away from him as possible. The family home was too crowded for us all to live together, and after two years we were rehoused.
"I started doing some part time work as the £50 per week benefit was not enough to keep us. But as a single mother on benefit, I couldn't get credit to buy furniture, and I was at my wit's end. Someone suggested St. Vincent de Paul, but my pride wouldn't let me go to charity. I was brought up to believe that hard work was the solution to everything. "It was nearing Christmas, and in desperation I decided to put my pride in my pocket and go to St. Vincent de Paul.
I was shaking with embarrassment and very upset at the prospect. However, I was immediately put at my ease and dealt with in a very sensitive and caring way. SVP provided me with essential items of furniture for my house, and helped me to apply for a grant.
"Just before Christmas, a large hamper and presents for my two girls arrived from the SVP, which really made a difference! I was also able to buy good clothes at a low cost from the SVP thrift shop."
"We survived great poverty and hardship. But without charitable help I could not have got through it. I have a better outlook on life now, and I feel at last I can see the light at the end of the tunnel."
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Colleen's StoryColleen's mother raised the family with little or no help during the height of 'the Troubles'.
"My mother suffered mental and physical abuse for years, and although I was only a child at the time, I knew what was going on. She raised the five of us alone, on a North Belfast housing estate, and because of our religion we suffered intimidation for many years. The Housing Executive's solution was to put grilles on the windows to prevent further attacks on the house, but this only added to our sense of isolation.
"Eventually things got so bad we were rehoused, but the expense of moving house led to a period of dreadful poverty. The Social Services refused our applications for help, and my mother was reduced to going through our neighbours' bins for food. We were all very aware of the terrible struggle my mother had to provide for us, and on occasions we would steal bread and butter from the local shop. That was how hard it was.
"In sheer desperation my mother turned to St Vincent de Paul, and they helped her out on many occasions. She wished she could have been spared the indignity of approaching a charity, but the SVP were so helpful and understanding, it took some of the sting away.
"Throughout her troubles, my mother has never deprived us of her love and total commitment, and that is something very precious, something no-one can take away from us."
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