BY Daniel Harkins | January 15 | 
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SSVP is saving Scotland millions
The work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul could be saving the economy in Scotland £3 million a year, according to the group’s president.
A report by Oxera, one of Europe’s leading economics consultancies, found that the befriending programme of the St Vincent de Paul Society in England and Wales reduces costs to the NHS and social services and improves mental health, bringing £11 million worth of benefits to society.
Jim McKendrick, national president of the Society of St Vincent de Paul Scotland (SSVP), said that if we assume that their work is broadly similar to that of the Society in England and Wales and scale the numbers down to account for the lower membership, then visits to the lonely and isolated people (right) by SSVP volunteers will have saved the economy at least £3 million a year.
“Work done by our members each year helps the people we befriend to improve their mental health and increase or maintain their social skills and confidence,” Mr McKendrick said. “This results in reduced costs for the NHS and national and local government social services, as well as a better quality of life both for our beneficiaries and our members.
“The Oxera report was conducted with the help of Pro Bono Economics, a group which links charities with volunteer economists.
It found that approximately 76,566 people a year are visited by the society in England and Wales.
The society in Scotland encourages its members to visit and befriend the lonely, sick, housebound and elderly, and encourages attendance at Masses for the sick.
—This story ran in full in the January 15 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.
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