"From an early age I learnt from family, school, church and community associations that, as part of our normal activities, we should help less fortunate when and where we are able."

Ian Smith

Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Blackburn South Conference

Helping a man suffering from depression

We have a man who we have visited for some years. He suffers depression and mental problems and we have funded counselling to assist him. One of our members does wood work and interested him in it. We helped him purchase a wood lathe which he now uses regularly and which assist him to occupy himself immeasurably with his personal problems.

Assisting a women under strain

We visit a lady who has two teenage children, a daughter and a son who is autistic. We have been assisting her for some years now and have noticed a strain she is under. We helped her get her lawn mower repaired and provided assistance for fixing a reinforced bicycle for her son who is very big in stature.

Helping a family through difficult times

We regularly visit a family of five - a husband, wife and three children. The husband has a severe disability from a back injury. In all probability, he will not be able to work again. Apart from food, we have provided assistance in tidying up the house. We recently funded a holiday to Warrnambool for the whole family which we feel gave them quite a boost.