The Trinity CollegeVincent de Paul Society is a student charitable society in Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Its members volunteer in Dublin's inner city in over twenty charitable activities which are aimed at helping those in need. It is one of the largest societies in Trinity College, the largest student charity organisation in Ireland and the largest conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, with over 7,500 members.
History
The Trinity de Paul Society was established in 1973. Since then it has grown enormously into one of Trinity's largest societies. Its oldest activity is the Trinity Club which provides a social club for adults with intellectual disabilities. Kids' Club is another one of the longest standing activities, going strong for over 20 years. The society won the award for Best Overall Society four times. This is the most out of any society in Trinity College.
Activities
The Vincent de Paul Society runs over twenty activities. They cover a diverse range helping people young and old in a number of different ways. Volunteers are vetted through the Garda Síochána and go through a child protection course, provided by the National Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Some of the activities include the following:
Children's Clubs
Students go into local primary schools, every day during the week and help the children in a range of fun and educational fields, from art, dance, drama, music to homework and basic literacy. On the weekend, VDP also runs Kids' Club where students take children from a local flats on a weekly fun day.
The Annual Pantomime is one of the highlights of the year for this society. Over 90 children from primary schools based in Dublin City Centre together with 40 student cast members and 30 members of Trinity Club put on a pantomime to give the opportunity to the children of going on stage for what is often the first time.
Homeless Care
Two of VDP's activities, the Street Outreach and the newest homeless activity known as 'DePaul', involve students providing local homeless people in the surrounding area with basic clothes, food, blankets etc. and working in homeless centres in the city.
Every year, over 75 student members walk 110 kilometers through the hills and forests of northern Spain over a week. The path they take is known as the Camino de Santiago. This year, the Camino raised money for TAP and Bridge 21, which are charities that work in the college to encourage educational development and provide support for students coming into the college from more disadvantaged areas. The money has in the past been donated to St. Vincent de Paul Societies in Africa.
Fundraising Events
The running these activities requires a team of fundraisers. Led by the Vice-President of Fundraising and aided by the fundraising subcommittee, the society organise events to raise money and awareness. In the past they have had nights out, concerts, street collection days, bingo nights, and many more.
Membership
VDP is one of the very few societies in Trinity which is completely free to join. To get involved, students can talk to VDP activity leaders at their annual Freshers Week stand and/or then they come to an information night. Students are welcome to join any time during the academic year.
