The aim of the Society of St Vincent de Paul is to fight poverty in all its forms. St Vincent’s Centre, Southend opened its doors at its Short Street Centre in October 2020, having run a night shelter for several winters in local church halls. This project was developed from the SVP conference Westcliff that saw a big gap in the community’s ability to support the amount of people in need. With the rise in demand during the COVID pandemic, St Vincent’s Southend has risen to the challenge and with its 150 volunteers, the phenomenal support of the public and our local partners we have developed a unique wrap around service for the homeless, vulnerable and lonely in Southend on Sea, Essex. We provide outreach support on the streets and an inreach service which supports people who have a stable home. We place the homeless into temporary accommodation, often providing them with furniture and the essentials to give them a good start when we find them a permanent place to stay. We run Kindness Kitchens (soup kitchens) five nights a week serving up on average, 1453 hot meals a month; a food and clothing bank providing food parcels for around 140 individuals and families a week and 150 clothing bundles; free counselling; medical and veterinary care for the rough sleepers and their pets; dementia support and befriending services as well as weekly food scheme for families on a low income.

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