Young SVP

Sarah Goodwin, Youth Development Officer, delivered several online sessions to schools on the subject of an Introduction to and the Origins of SVP which were well received in both Primary and Secondary Schools across the Region. She also delivered in person workshops on Climate

Justice and Energy Poverty, Understanding Poverty, Social Enterprise and Sustainable

Fashion. Some schools which supported the Annual Appeal invited Sarah to assemblies where she had an opportunity to thank the students for their generous contributions.

Schools and colleges participating in the Young SVP youth development programme include: Aquinas Diocesan Grammar, Belfast; Belfast Metropolitan College; Blessed Trinity College, Belfast; Drumlish Primary School, Dromore; Enniskillen Model School; Loreto Grammar School, Omagh; St Colmcille’s, Carrickmore; St Columbanus, Bangor; St Malachy’s, Belfast; St Mary’s, Derry; St Mary’s, Draperstown; St Patrick’s, Downpatrick; St Patrick’s, Dungannon; St Ronan’s, Lurgan.

A number of schools have very active Young SVP Conferences and they are doing brilliant work. SVP is looking forward to continuing to work with these schools during future workshops and supporting them to establish new Conferences.

Students at Loreto Grammar School in Omagh for example are working on a Sustainable Fashion project to recycle a preloved item to make something new. They are linking with Vincent’s in Omagh to use some of their materials and eventually hope to collaborate on a window display to show off their creations and inspire others to do the same.

Sarah is also working on reaching out to new schools and online webinars are being developed to engage young people in topics such as Climate change and Sustainability.

St Pius X College

Members of St Pius X College Young SVP attended a Volunteer’s Week garden party at Laurel Villa in Magherafelt celebrating members of SVP who have devoted more than 30 years to the Society.

Blessed Trinity College

During Catholic Schools Week #CSW2022 Young SVP Students made a collage celebrating some of the wonderful Faith Development activities that have taken place the last academic year in fitting with the College’s core values.

Carrickmore Mini Vinnies

Rosaleen Donnelly, Vice President of St Colmcille’s Primary School in Carrickmore, runs a Young SVP Mini Vinnies group of children from P6 and P7. There are currently 35 in the group and they undertook a Mini Camino - walking around the parish in the month of November to raise funds for SVP.

Vincent’s Armagh

It was a joy to welcome students from City of Armagh High School and St Catherine’s College to add to the atmosphere and excitement of the opening of Vincent’s Armagh. The students poured their hearts into an emotional rendition of ‘Silent Night’ accompanied by Dr Eunan McCreesh, Head of Music at St Catherine’s College.