Vincent de Paul Society (Trinity College Dublin)

The Trinity College Vincent de Paul Society (stylised as trinity VDP) 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.[1]

Vincent de Paul Society
Trinity VDP Logo

Website: www.trinityvdp.com

History

The Trinity de Paul Society was established in 1973.[2] Since then it has grown enormously into one of Trinity's largest societies.[3] 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.[4] The society won the award for Best Overall Society four times. This is the most out of any society in Trinity College.[5]

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.[6] 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 Panto

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.

Visitations

Some students volunteer by visiting those in need of more social interaction. The people they visit include the elderly or people with disabilities in the local area.

Flat Decorating

Students go into people's homes to clean, tidy and paint. Volunteers claim even the smallest difference is much appreciated.

Camino de Santiago

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.[7]

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.

References
  1. The Record, Students Union Newspaper of Trinity College, Dublin |http://www.therecord.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=26
  2. "Societies and Other Institutions". University of Dublin Calendar - Part 1 (PDF). Dublin: Trinity College, Dublin. 2006. p. U13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-05-19. Retrieved 2007-05-05.
  3. News, Michael GilnaMichael Gilna is a former Investigations Editor of Trinity (2017-12-13). "VDP largest society in Trinity last year". Trinity News. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  4. http://issuu.com/trinitynews/docs/tn1-20high-20res-20issue-206/8
  5. "Trinity News - Issue 10" (issuu). Dublin: DU Publications. 2009. p. 5. Retrieved 2009-09-02. |chapter= ignored (help)
  6. tcdvdp.org/
  7. Annual Magazine 2009-2000, Published by ThinkMedia http://issuu.com/denhams/docs/trinity-vdp-09-10
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