Youth SVP

Youth SVP is a voluntary Christian organization where students volunteer to offer one-to-one help and support to people in need in the local community. The SVP was founded in 1833 in Paris by a 19 year old student called Frederic Ozanam and his university friends. The aim of the group was to use their Christian values and principles to actively serve people in their community. Today at Our Lady’s we are following the example Frederic Ozanam, and the teachings of Jesus to help and actively serve those in our community who need our help.

The Youth SVP group at Our Lady’s consists of dedicated and enthusiastic students in year 7 and year 8 who are committed to making a difference, putting their faith into action. After discussing the meaning and importance of Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’, students believed that one way that they could put their faith into action was by caring for our common home, making our parks and streets clear of litter. After a busy afternoon of collecting litter in the yard and field after lunch, students then went into the local area. At the end of the day they came back with 12 full bags of rubbish! As a group the Youth SVP felt very passionately about helping the homeless and disadvantaged in our community. They discussed a variety of different things that they could do to demonstrate ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ and finally decided that one thing that is often overlooked for homeless people are personal care items. The Youth SVP were determined to make a difference! With the help of Mrs Burke, they managed to make 10 care hampers filled to the brim with deodorants, dry shampoo, sanitary products and so much more! When they donated the hampers to Cornerstone’s, the volunteers were touched by the generosity and effort displayed by all at Our Lady’s.

The Youth SVP have made a huge impact this half term on the lives of those around us demonstrating our School Mission:

“To know, Love and Serve”.

“To me, the SVP group is important because the activities we do can help to create a better and more united community” Lami Olagunju

“I am so lucky to be part of the SVP group because it is giving me the opportunity to live out Jesus’ teachings about kindness and allow us to live as God’s people” Grace O’Reilly “Our favourite part of being involved in the SVP is fulfilling God’s will through helping the community we live in to thrive” Brielle Djeukam

“Kindness is an important part of my religion, the SVP allows me to put this into action” Alanah Meredith Palisoc