During the first half of the nineteenth century Frederic Ozanam, a student in Paris, began the work of, what is now known as, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Frederic and a group of like-minded students went out on the streets of Paris to offer support, friendship and practical help to those in need. The vision of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), which is inspired by Christ’s message to love our neighbour as ourselves, is for individuals and families in any form of need to have hope, a sense of dignity and peace of mind.
Thirty-eight pupils have joined the BTG Youth SVP group. Meetings are centred on prayer and the planning of voluntary work within the school community.

SVP Member Noruwa of Year 9 writes:
‘I joined the Youth SVP group because I want to make a change in society and this felt like the opportunity to do so. I really want to help the less fortunate and joining the SVP group not only allows me to do this, but to develop life skills as well. SVP helps you to meet new people and to improve your ability to listen to, and to speak to others effectively. I knew straight away that the SVP group was the community for me’.
‘We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty’. - Mother Teresa of Calcutta.