Our History and Values

03. Our History and Values

Depaul was founded in 1989 at the instigation of Cardinal Basil Hume and the late Princess Diana and formally opened its first hostel in 1990.

From this beginning, Depaul has grown into an international family of charities with a focus on helping people in crisis. Depaul UK is a part of this family. What started as a response to the growing number of homeless people on the streets of London, has now grown into a global response tackling homelessness worldwide. The Depaul Group now works in the UK, Ireland, France, Slovakia, Ukraine, Croatia and the USA.

Depaul UK’s visions, mission and values remain unchanged for over 30 years and are as valid as ever.

Depaul works in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul who devoted his life to helping the poor, sick and needy throughout the 17th century. Vincent reached out to anyone in need, valuing each and every person. He was committed to serving the poor well, constantly pushing boundaries to innovate and improve, despite scarce resources. He initiated powerful partnerships to help the poor, building bridges between people in need and people who were privileged. In doing so, he inspired others to do more and to make sure that everyone has a chance to live life dignified, safe and well.

Vincentian values, which were at the core of Depaul’s foundation, continue to be at the heart of Depaul UK. They include a commitment to reach out to the poorest of the poor, to focus on action rather than words, to do what we say we will do, and to be innovative in our approach, which includes being willing to take risks.

These values continue to be widely shared in the organisation. Board members and staff, for whom there is no religious requirement, bring with them the same or similar values from their own religious traditions or political and humanist convictions. The consequent resonance with Vincentian values has enriched the Depaul subsidiaries around the world and provided a tangible unity across the Depaul Group.

Whilst the Depaul Group gladly and wholeheartedly embraces its Vincentian values, it excludes all forms of proselytizing. It is an independent group of charities and is not a subsidiary of any religious organisation nor does it report to any. At the same time, the Depaul Group is a recognised member of the worldwide Vincentian Family, which is a voluntary association of all those who labour according to the vision and values of Vincent de Paul. Depaul UK, as a member of the Vincentian Family in the UK, collaborates with other branches of the Family in the service of homeless and disadvantaged people as opportunities arise and circumstances dictate. Membership in a worldwide family fits in with and strengthens the Depaul Group’s global aspirations.

For more information about Depaul UK please see our website: https://depaulcharity.org