News - Daughters of Charity Services

Daughters of Charity Services Responds To The Autumn Budget 2025

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:32:18 GMT

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget announcement today, CEO Mark Choonara sets out Daughters of Charity Services’ position on the key measures affecting vulnerable children, families and communities:

"We welcome the Chancellor’s long-awaited announcement today that the two-child limit on the Universal Credit Child Element will be scrapped from April 2026. It’s estimated that this will lift around 450,000 children out of poverty, and is an issue that Daughters of Charity Services has been campaigning on alongside Child Poverty Action Group and other organisations. The removal of this limit is a much-needed step towards the recognition that every child has intrinsic human dignity, and should be treated as such. We also welcome the news that the average family will see their energy bill cut by £150 per year from April.

We believe that much more can still be done to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable families up and down the country. We continue to call on the Government to extend Free School Meals to all primary-age children across the country. Whilst we welcome the increase in the Minimum Wage, we are concerned about the freezes on income tax thresholds and that the tax burden is due to be at an all-time high from April next year. This means more families with children will be paying even more tax, and increase cost-of-living pressures. We urge the Chancellor to extend Universal Free School Meals and prioritise the most vulnerable in society.

We will continue to call on the Government to address the suffering of people in the asylum system, as well as more funding to tackle homelessness and to ensure that the adult social care system has the resource it needs to care for the people that need it."

Autumn Budget Representation Submission 2025

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:22:40 GMT

Dear Chancellor,

We are Daughters of Charity Services, a family of charities across Great Britain dedicated to improving the lives of people experiencing the effects of poverty, social exclusion and injustice.

As we approach the Autumn Budget, we are calling for additional investment in a number of key areas which we believe would improve the lives and the opportunities of the people our charities serve, and similar communities across the country. In doing so, we draw both on research into these areas at a national level, and on the direct experience of those we are called to serve.

In calling for this investment, we echo the concerns of many like-minded charitable organisations, emphasising that the burden of any additional investment should fall on those who are most able to shoulder this, rather than increasing the challenges already faced by so many hard-working individuals and families across our nation.

Child Poverty

With an estimated 4.5 million children now living below the poverty line, the following measures are essential to reversing the rise in child poverty and to protect families from further hardship.

End the Two-Child Cap

We join charities across the country in calling for this policy to be abolished. Almost 1.7 million children are impacted by the two-child cap, and research by Child Poverty Action Group found removing the cap would lift around 350,000 children out of hardship immediately. Importantly, 59% of families affected by this policy have at least one parent in work, demonstrating it is keeping working families in poverty.

We also echo other Catholic charities, such as the Bishop’s Conference, who argue that “the existence of the two-cap policy implies that society owes less financial security to third, fourth or younger children.” As their quotation from Pope Francis says, large families are “an investment to guarantee the futures of our societies.”

Introduce a ‘Protected Minimum Floor’

We support the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s call to introduce a ‘protected minimum floor’, whereby the total amount that can be taken from a household’s Universal Credit is limited. This will ensure that no household falls below a basic standard of living due to debt repayments or the benefit cap, and will prevent families who are already struggling being pushed further into crisis.

Universal Free School Meals

Earlier this year, the government extended Free School Meals to all children from families who receive Universal Credit. This was a welcome move that increased eligibility to over half a million previously ineligible children. However, we urge the government to go further.

A recent report by Aberlour Children’s Charity found that 23.1% of children who do not receive free school meals live in families that are in debt. Many schools report having to dip into already limited school funds to provide food for children whose families cannot afford to provide a pack lunch. Extending Free School Meals to all primary age children would ensure that every child is treated with dignity and has a nutritious meal at school.

Increase funding to tackle homelessness

According to Shelter, 169,050 children were recorded to be living in temporary accommodation in England at the end of March 2025. This represents a 12% increase in just one year, reflecting the severe shortage of affordable homes and the growing pressure on local authorities.

There are proven long-term implications on children living in unsuitable temporary accommodation, including poor educational outcomes, an increased chance of developing mental health issues, and social isolation. Investment in homelessness prevention and supported housing is critical.

Social Care

The recently announced £500 million investment to support the first ever Fair Pay Agreement was very welcome and will make a meaningful difference to the social care sector at a time of great difficulty. However, this alone is not enough. Funding has consistently failed to keep pace with rising demand, and significantly more investment is required to fix major issues in the sector.

In our 2024 report, Searching for Consensus , we argued that the government commit to funding the sector by an extra £3.4bn by 2028/29, as proposed by the Health Foundation. This Budget must address the growing gap between current funding and necessary funding, to future-proof the sector and ensure people in need of high-quality care have access to it.

Additionally, funding should be backed with a clear plan for how it will support both care users and workers, including fair pay, improved training and career progression pathways.

Asylum System

In our recent report, Designed into the System , we detailed the extent to which poverty is inflicted on people seeking asylum in the UK. No individual should be forced to live in overcrowded, unsanitary or unsafe accommodation, yet thousands of vulnerable people – including pregnant women and children – are subject to “gruelling” and “dehumanising” living conditions, and cannot access essentials such as women’s sanitary products and infant formula. We urge the Chancellor to use this Budget to change asylum policy, ensuring that people who have fled persecution are not forced to endure poverty unnecessarily.

We also call for the government to grant people seeking asylum the right to work after six months in roles on the Shortage Occupation List. This would support integration, give people seeking asylum the opportunity to partake in our economy, improve their physical and mental health, and reduce the risk of destitution. It would also help address urgent labour shortages in sectors such as care and hospitality. This policy change could raise an additional £97.8 million in tax revenue for the government, which would be useful at a time when the government is looking for ways to increase tax revenue.

Disability Benefits

As our final recommendation, we ask the government to reconsider its proposed cuts to disability benefits and PIP, which will push hundreds of thousands of people living with a disability, as well as their dependent children, further into poverty. These cuts will not support the people who really need it, but rather hinder their ability to work.

Furthermore, it is crucial that people with lived experience, and organisations representing them, are consulted before any future reforms to disability benefits, to ensure changes genuinely support independent living and fair access to employment.

Conclusion

We hope the Chancellor will consider our recommendations and use this opportunity to deliver a Budget that places compassion, justice and inclusion at its core. By investing in these key areas, the Government can ensure that the most vulnerable individuals are protected, supported, and able to fully participate in society.

Daughters of Charity Province of Rosalie Rendu Newsletter - July 2025

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:18:04 GMT

Please click to download our latest issue of the newsletter.

Stripped of Dignity: How the UK Asylum System Creates Poverty

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 06:28:10 GMT

Why compassion and change are needed in the UK asylum system.

A new report published today by Daughters of Charity Services reveals the harrowing extent to which the UK asylum system inflicts poverty and destitution among people seeking safety.

The report, titled Designed into the System: Poverty Among Asylum Seekers in the UK, brings together evidence from frontline organisations, think tanks and lived experience to present a stark picture of how current government policies are driving hardship, hunger and homelessness among thousands of adults and children.

KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:

Financial Support is Inadequate : Asylum seekers receive as little as £49.18 in self-catered accommodation, or £8.86 in catered accommodation per week, leaving people unable to afford basic needs such as women’s sanitary products, baby milk formula and nappies.
Food Insecurity is Prevalent : 91% of asylum seekers report they could not afford enough food, with many adults regularly skipping meals to feed their children, going months without sufficient cooking facilities and fridges, and eating nutritionally inadequate food.
Inhumane Accommodation : Conditions in asylum accommodation - including hotels, military barracks and barges - are often overcrowded, unsanitary, and unsafe, with reports of children living in mould-infested rooms or being injured by collapsing infrastructure.
Denial of the Right to Work : While the majority of asylum seekers want to work, the government’s prohibition on employment during the asylum process forces people to become dependent on charities, food banks and faith groups, while increasing their risk of exploitation and modern slavery.
Health Inequality and Mental Distress : Poor nutrition, lack of access to healthcare, unsafe housing and social exclusion are exacerbated by the system and leading to the deterioration of physical and mental health. Pregnant women, children and people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable.

The report also outlines urgent policy recommendations, including:

Increasing asylum support to 70% of Universal Credit.
Implementing targeted support for people with higher needs, such as pregnant women, young families, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Improving the quality and regulation of asylum accommodation.
Ending the ban on work for asylum seekers after six months.
Restoring trust in public services by removing barriers to healthcare access.

Mark Choonara, CEO of Daughters of Charity Services, says:

“This report highlights the lack of dignity or justice in our current system. We are treating people fleeing conflict, trauma and persecution in a way which fails to meet the basic standards which our values of compassion and humanity demand.

“We stand alongside those calling for radical reform to the system we currently have in place, to ensure that people seeking sanctuary in this country are treated with the dignity, respect and humanity with which any one of us might hope to be treated ourselves."

Daughters of Charity Services is calling on policymakers, faith communities and the public to read the report and support urgent reforms that centre dignity, justice and integration at the heart of the asylum system.

Searching for Consensus: Adult Social Care in Crisis

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:55:07 GMT

Is England’s social care system built to last?

From record vacancy rates to unsustainable funding models, the cracks in adult social care are deepening. Searching for Consensus, a new report from Daughters of Charity Services, offers a sobering yet constructive look at the crisis unfolding—and what must be done to repair it.

Based on the voices of over 200 care providers across England, the report highlights an urgent need for reform in three key areas: recruitment, retention , and funding . Carers are leaving the workforce faster than they can be replaced, care homes are struggling to keep their doors open, and patchy policy interventions are leaving those most in need without reliable support.

Yet there is hope. This isn’t just a report of problems—it’s a roadmap for change. With targeted recommendations and frontline insights, Searching for Consensus calls on the next government to listen to care providers and invest in a future where no one in need of care is left behind.

“There are no lasting changes without cultural changes.” — Pope Francis

This is more than a policy issue—it’s a matter of national conscience.

�� Read the full report now to explore the data, understand the challenges, and join the call for a care system that works for everyone.

Vincentian Impact 2023-24: Key Highlights & Outcomes

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:09:04 GMT

A snapshot of lives changed and lessons learned in 2023-24

We are six Vincentian charities spread across Great Britain, yet we move as one family—rooted in faith, driven by justice, and laser-focused on the people the world too easily forgets. Together, our teams accompany vulnerable families, older neighbours, people with disabilities and those living on society’s margins, always upholding dignity and choice.

Snapshot of the year

1,333 families reached with practical care and advocacy.
£1.99 million channelled directly into frontline services through donations, grants and legacies.
84 volunteers and 140+ newly-trained staff extended our Vincentian welcome even further.

Moments that mattered

St Joseph’s celebrated its centenary by launching art, music-therapy and gardening projects that amplify the voices of adults with learning disabilities.
Out There stood beside families when a loved one was imprisoned, protecting children’s wellbeing and breaking cycles of isolation.
Marillac Neurological Care Centre maintained a 96 % occupancy rate , surpassing NHS targets while delivering complex neuro-rehabilitation with compassion.

And these are only glimpses—each of our six charities tells a richer story of courage, collaboration and hard-won change.

“The past year has seen significant challenges and achievements … Working against three strategic aims, we have made substantial progress against each of these.” — Mark Choonara, CEO

Why this matters

Behind every statistic is a neighbour whose world feels a little safer, kinder and more hopeful because someone from our Vincentian family showed up. Our 2023-24 Impact Report captures those stories in full—stories of music sparking smiles, of mums finding community, of clinicians restoring movement and dignity.

Ready for the full picture?

Dive into the complete Impact Report 2023-24 to explore detailed outcomes, case studies and our bold vision for the year ahead. Join us in celebrating what love-in-action can achieve—and in shaping the next chapter together.

Daughters of Charity Services Responds to the Spending Review

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:13:00 GMT

We welcome several positive commitments in the chancellors spending review. The expansion of free school meals to all children with a parent on Universal Credit is a vital step forward in tackling child poverty, and we’re encouraged to see targeted funding for early years and post-16 settings, as well as support for breakfast clubs. However, given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, many children who do not qualify for free school meals will still go without adequate nutrition. We urge the government to provide free school meals for all primary school children across the UK, and reiterate our call to end the two-child limit on child benefit, ensuring every child has a fair and equal start in life.

Plans to inject £39 billion into the housing sector is also a welcome investment, as is the announcement of £100 million to support early interventions to prevent homelessness. We hope the government continuities to engage with charities that are working tirelessly to support rough sleepers, and people at risk, to create a long-term plan that tackles the homelessness crisis.

On refugees and asylum seekers, despite more funding being allocated to the asylum system, it is clear the government’s focus is on reducing system costs by clearing the backlog and ending the use of hotels as accommodation. The government should prioritise the safety and dignity of asylum seekers by ensuring appropriate housing conditions are available and reconsider allowing people to work while they wait for their asylum claim to reduce destitution.

Lastly, we are encouraged by the government’s commitment to improving adult social care with new funding announced. This is a step in the right direction to improve the sector, but it must be backed with a clear plan for how it will support both care users and workers.

At Daughters of Charity Services, we stand in solidarity alongside people facing poverty, hardship and exclusion, and we urge decision-makers to do the same by bringing fairness and dignity to those who need it most.

Our CEO’s letter to the Chancellor on upcoming spending review

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:04:00 GMT

Dear Chancellor,

I am writing as the Chief Executive Officer of the Daughters of Charity Services, a Vincentian charity based in Westminster, regarding the spending review which will be held on 11th June.

Our member charities serve some of the most vulnerable people in society, and I am urging you to act for justice with regards to children and families in poverty, as well as adults in the social care system.

As you will know, in March the government announced that it would become more difficult to recruit international care workers from overseas. However, as discussed in our 2024 report Searching for Consensus , international recruitment has been propping up a deeply struggling sector. To ensure that the sector does not fall behind further than it already has, we urge you to commit to investing a minimum of £3.4bn a year into the social care sector . This figure, calculated by the Health Foundation, would ensure that growing demand and rising costs are met.

We also argued that further funding should be provided to improve the retention social care staff. The sector has a large turnover, and many care workers leave for jobs in sectors like hospitality which can offer a higher hourly rate, hence the reliance on overseas labour. To ensure that the talent in the system is retained, we are calling on you to fund training programmes and to ensure that staff are paid a fair wage.

On child and family poverty, we welcome the recent announcements that all children in families that receive Universal Credit will receive free school meals. However, this does not go far enough. We repeat the call of the Free School Meals campaign to provide free school meals for all primary aged children across the UK . At a time where so many families are struggling with the permanent increases from the cost-

of-living crisis, this policy would reduce social stigma, benefit child health and improve school outcomes for thousands of children up and down the country.

We also urge you to end the two-child limit on child benefit. This arbitrary restriction has pulled 30,000 more children into poverty since the last general election. We echo the Child Poverty Action Group’s demand for this to be scrapped. This would lift 350,000 children out of poverty instantly and would cost £2bn. No child should be facing poverty in a county as rich as ours and we urge you to support this.

I hope you will consider our asks. Yours sincerely,

Mark Choonara
Chief Executive Officer

Trustee Vacancy with a Background in Law

Mon, 26 May 2025 14:21:00 GMT

We are seeking individuals who can bring their professional legal knowledge, dedication and passion to the Daughters of Charity Services Board of Trustees through the appointment of an individual who has a background in law.

Daughters of Charity Services operates as a family of charities across Britain, providing a diverse range of services to various communities in need of support. Our charities include services providing support to:

Adults with learning disabilities in Midlothian
Families in Glasgow experiencing poverty and marginalisation, particularly families from the Roma community
Families of prisoners in Manchester
Adults with complex neurological conditions in Brentwood
Vulnerable young families in Westminster
Older people requiring homecare in Westminster

Each organisation is independently run, but forms a part of the Daughters of Charity Services family through their shared commitment to our Vincentian charism and values, and a commitment to collaborate in order to best serve those experiencing poverty or marginalisation. It is this shared commitment, borne of our Catholic heritage and the philosophy and practice of St Vincent de Paul, which helps shape our common identity.

Our organisation serves to safeguard and deepen the Vincentian ethos of our member charities and operates as a central resource hub, assisting with infrastructural needs and best practice in governance, in order to enable each of our member charities to best serve the needs of the respective communities. We also seek to respond to new poverties as they arise.

Daughters of Charity Services is dedicated to upholding the Vincentian charism, and the Christian heritage upon which it is founded. We are proud to employ people of all faiths and none, but it is essential that the post-holder is committed to learning about, acting in accordance with, and further promoting the Vincentian values which underpin all aspects of our work.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. In seeking to ensure that our Board reflects the communities we serve, we would particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic (BME) candidates, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ persons and people aged 40 or under. All appointments will be made on merit.

Board meetings are held four times per year, with visits to our member charities strongly encouraged.

If you are interested in this rewarding role, please send your CV with a covering letter to recruitment@dcmillhill.org by 30th June 2025.

Joint Statement on Assisted Dying Bills

Mon, 12 May 2025 11:21:00 GMT

Joint Statement on Assisted Dying Bills from the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul and Daughters of Charity Services

The coming week sees two key dates for significant legislation in both Scotland and England.

On 13 May, MSPs in Holyrood will vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, which is currently at Stage 1.

Meanwhile, on 16 May, MPs in the House of Commons will vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill, as it has its third reading in the House.

Both the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul and Daughters of Charity Services express our firm opposition to both of these Bills.

We believe in the innate dignity of every human person, and that our duty of care to those in need extends throughout their life. We believe that when people are at their most vulnerable, we as a society have an obligation to treat them with loving, dignified care, rather than to create a system which may put pressure on vulnerable people to seek to prematurely end their lives.

Building on our Searching for Consensus report on the state of social care in England last year, we continue to call for greater investment in the care sector. We believe that greater investment in holistic and dignified palliative care would be a much more appropriate response to the suffering of people with a terminal illness than the proposed legislation.

We believe that the proposed legislation risks opening the door to a system in which vulnerable people could be encouraged to end their own lives; to be designated as a burden rather than as a suffering person in need of loving accompaniment. From the experience of countries where such legislation has already been implemented, we have seen the safeguards discussed around this legislation gradually weakened, and we can expect to see a similar pattern take place here if this legislation is passed.

If we accept the innate dignity of every human life, it is clear that our responsibility must be to extend our love, compassion and support to ease the suffering of those at their most vulnerable, and to accompany them on this journey, rather than encouraging people to choose to die. As such, we must oppose these Bills.

Contact Your Representative

We would encourage all of our supporters, and all those who share our values, to write to their local MP, and where appropriate their local MSP, expressing their concern over the issues raised in these Bills, and their opposition to them.

If you have not contacted your representative before, you can find their contact details for Westminster here:

https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

And for Holyrood, here:

https://www.parliament.scot/msps

Further Information

The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales have produced useful guidance on this issue, which can be found at:

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide/

The Bishops Conference of Scotland has published its response to the consultation on the Bill, which can be found at:

https://rcpolitics.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/McArthur-Consultation-BCOS-Response.pdf

Further information on the work of our organisations can be found at:

https://www.daughtersofcharity.net/

https://www.dcsvpservices.org/

On the Death of Pope Francis

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 15:34:00 GMT

Daughters of Charity Services pays tribute to the extraordinary life and work of Pope Francis.

The life of Pope Francis was one dedicated to the service of the poorest and most marginalised amongst us; a life lived in a truly Christian spirit, following Christ’s call to serve with dignity, love and compassion.

The Catholic Social Teaching which lay at the heart of Pope Francis’ ministry echoes the fundamental ethos of the Vincentian Charism, rooted in the teaching of Jesus, most clearly stated in the Gospel of Matthew (25:40):

In 2021, Pope Francis addressed the global community of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, calling on the community to:

The closing words of Pope Francis’ exhortation to the Daughters of Charity serve well to reflect his ministry of encounter, and his belief in the fundamental importance of relationships to the human experience:

We give thanks for an inspirational leader, gone home now to God.

Eternal rest grant upon him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

Daughters of Charity Province of Rosalie Rendu Newsletter - December 2024

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 12:33:00 GMT

Please find the attached latest issue of the newsletter: https://www.dcsvpservices.org/s/December-2024-Issue-15.pdf

Vincentian Values Week 2024

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 16:39:00 GMT

Our annual week of highlighting and celebrating Vincentian Values in action will this year run from 23rd - 27th September .

This year’s theme builds on the manifesto we set forth ahead of the general election earlier this year. Highlighting some of the most pressing issues facing our society today, we will hear from key figures across the sector who are helping to lead the response to a wide range of poverties and needs across the UK.

Topics covered throughout the week will include:

Tackling child and family poverty
Improving adult social care
Addressing homelessness and housing
Reducing isolation through improving inclusion
Responding to refugees and asylum seekers

Keep an eye out on our website and our social media channels, with speakers and further event details soon to be confirmed.

Vincentian Manifesto: A Compassionate Vision for the UK

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 07:26:01 GMT

What kind of society do we want to be?

As the UK heads toward a general election, the Vincentian Family—rooted in faith, justice, and service—has released a bold manifesto calling for change. Not change for its own sake, but for the sake of those most often overlooked: the families struggling to make ends meet, the elderly waiting for care, the refugees left in limbo, and the thousands without a place to call home.

The Vincentian Manifesto isn’t written from Westminster corridors, but from lived experience: from care homes, food banks, parish halls, and community hubs across the country. Drawing on the voices of frontline workers and the people they serve, the manifesto identifies five urgent policy areas:

Child and Family Poverty
Adult Social Care
Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Inclusion and Isolation
Housing and Homelessness

With each section, the document pairs grounded recommendations with a deeper call: to build a society that values human dignity above all else.

�� Curious what lifting 250,000 children out of poverty would cost? Or how refugee policy reform could prevent homelessness and exploitation?

�� Read the full manifesto and explore how the Vincentian values—compassion, justice, and solidarity—can shape a more humane political future.

Daughters of Charity Province of Rosalie Rendu Newsletter - January 2024

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 17:16:00 GMT

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Daughters of Charity Services Responds To The Autumn Statement

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:18:00 GMT

Responding to the Autumn Statement, Mark Choonara, Chief Executive Officer at Daughters of Charity Services said:

“The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement contained a number of welcome announcements, but the absence of clear strategies to address the key issues of child poverty or the ongoing social care crisis leaves cause for concern.

“The announcement of the unfreezing of housing benefit was a much needed, and widely welcomed intervention, necessary to help tackle the alarming rise in homelessness.

“The recent Joseph Rowntree Foundation Report on destitution in the UK highlighted how far we still have to go as a society to ensure that everybody is able to afford the basic essentials of life, most notably highlighting the enormous rise in children experiencing destitution. We are pleased the Chancellor has taken the long called for decision to increase Universal Credit in line with inflation, and committed to increase the National Living Wage to £11.44 an hour, but regret that a clear strategy for the prevention of child poverty appears lacking.

“The commitment of additional targeted resources to support those currently unable to work to find appropriate employment is to be welcomed. However, the threat of further sanctions on those who are unable to secure employment, most notably the threat to withdraw access to free prescriptions and legal aid, is a matter of significant concern.

“In addition, the absence of a focus on the desperately needed investment in social care to meet the growing demands of the sector reflects a missed opportunity, and an area which must be prioritised in next year’s Budget.”

Media contact
Riana Rae Brown
E: riana.brown@dcsvpservices.org
P: 079 2512 9049

Vincentian Groups Call For Urgent Government Action On Poverty

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 13:30:00 GMT

Ahead of the Autumn Statement, we - a group of Vincentian organisations from across the UK - urge the government to put vulnerable people at the forefront of its spending plans.

Together we support some of the most deprived and marginalised groups in our communities, and this year we have seen an alarming jump in the numbers of families and individuals suffering the depths of poverty and injustice. Children, low-income households, elderly citizens and people with disabilities need the government’s urgent attention.

CHILDREN

Approximately 800,000 children in England do not qualify for free school meals despite living in poverty (1). A high proportion of families living in poverty are from working households, yet they are still forced to rely on food banks and charity donations for the basics to live. Every day, more and more parents come to our services desperate for assistance to feed, clothe and provide a warm home for their children. We know food insecurity and poverty can cause long-term damage to children and has been associated with chronic illness, hindered physical and cognitive development, and poor mental health in adulthood (2). We have also seen a frightening surge of mental health concerns from both adults and young people as anxieties around the cost-of-living continue to grow. We need an adequate social security system that at least covers life’s essentials.

HOMELESSNESS

The rate of homelessness is rising steeply in this country. The number of rough sleepers in England has increased by 18% since last year (3), and homeless charity Depaul UK saw a staggering 30% increase in the use of its emergency accommodation service (4). What’s more, there are around 104,510 households, including 131,370 children (5), currently living in temporary accommodation, many of which are overcrowded and unsuitable for young families. No child or adult in the UK - no matter their ethnicity or social background - should have to live in undignified conditions.

ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE

The social care sector remains in a critical state, with persistently high vacancy rates and financial pressures leaving people without the care they need to live safely and well, including vulnerable older adults and people with disabilities. A recent survey by Daughters of Charity Services revealed a vast majority of the sector agrees that increased government funding is necessary to lift vital care organisations out of dire financial circumstances.

We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet this is not a society in which many children and vulnerable citizens can live healthily, safely and thrive. Charities and communities are working overtime to provide vital services to those suffering the most, but we need national action to fix these failing systems. The government must intervene.

This Autumn Budget provides an opportunity for meaningful change. We hope to see bold government moves that will protect our aging population and generations to come.

Signed:
Anglican Sisters of Charity
Company of Mission Priests
Congregation of the Mission
Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul
Daughters of Charity Services
Depaul UK
International Association of Charities (AIC)
NOAH Enterprise
Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Evron
The Passage

*ENDS*

Notes to the Editor

Vincentian organisations are inspired by the life and charitable works of the Catholic Saint Vincent de Paul and characterised by distinctive Vincentian values.

For more information please contact Riana Rae Brown, Group Communications Manager at Daughters of Charity Services, at riana.brown@dcsvpservices.org .

References
(1) https://cpag.org.uk/news-blogs/news-listings/800000-children-poverty-not-getting-free-school-meals
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2806885/
(3) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-people-sleeping-rough-in-england-june-2023/support-for-people-sleeping-rough-in-england-june-2023#:~:text=The%20latest%20data%20shows%20there,the%20same%20period%20last%20year
(4) https://www.depaul.org.uk/press/demand-for-emergency-accommodation-for-young-homeless-people-increases-by-30-per-cent/
(5) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-january-to-march-2023/statutory-homelessness-in-england-january-to-march-2023

Daughters of Charity Province of Rosalie Rendu Newsletter - October 2023

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:49:00 GMT

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Daughters of Charity Services calls for Mayor of London candidates to tackle poverty

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 14:17:00 GMT

This London Challenge Poverty Week, Daughters of Charity Services co-signed a letter addressed to those running for election as Mayor of London next year, calling on candidates to put poverty at the heart of their manifestos.

25% of Londoners are living in poverty after housing costs. 33% of children in London are in poverty. 22% of working age adults in London are in poverty. This evidence shows the current system is not working, but is instead baking poverty into our society.

We believe a Poverty Free London must start with the recognition that everyone should have adequate income to live on. Londoners deserve real systemic change.

Hiring: Research & Policy Officer

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 13:44:00 GMT

Research & Policy Officer
28 hours per week
Salary: £29,400 pa (£36,750 FTE)
London SW1P (Flexible hybrid working)

Daughters of Charity Services operates as a family of 6 charities across Britain, providing a diverse range of services to various communities in need of support. We are seeking a Research & Policy Officer who will support the mission of Daughters of Charity Services through undertaking targeted research projects to ensure that the stories we seek to tell through the work of our member organisations, and the campaigns to challenge structural injustice on which we seek to lend our voice, are well grounded in a broader set of data.

Reporting to the CEO, and working closely with the Group Communications Manager and the leadership of our member charities, the Research and Policy Officer will lead on the collation, analysis and reporting of the data collected (both quantitative and particularly qualitative), and will be responsible for the development and implementation of a collaborative and inclusive research strategy. This position plays a central role in our advocacy work.

The post holder will also be responsible for identifying the most effective forms of evaluation for both our existing work and particularly for any new initiatives, in order to ensure that the impact of this work can be best identified and learned from. The Research and Policy Officer will ensure that their research and advocacy efforts align with the mission, ethos and Vincentian values of Daughters of Charity Services.

The successful applicant will have previous experience of working in a research role, leading on the provision of significant, relevant and informative data to achieve clear insights into an organisation’s impact and future possible developments. Experience of writing policy briefs; gathering and critically analysing a wide range of complex data; and presenting findings to audiences, are essential for this role. Excellent communication, organisational, prioritisation and interpersonal skills are also required.

We offer: 24 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays); pension scheme; flexible working requests are welcome.

Daughters of Charity Services is dedicated to upholding the Vincentian Charism, and the Christian heritage upon which it is founded. We are proud to employ people of all faiths and none, but it is essential that the post-holder is committed to learning about, acting in accordance with, and further promoting the Vincentian values which underpin all aspects of our work.

View full job description .

To apply for this exciting role, please download an application pack
and return your completed application form to recruitment@dcmillhill.org
by the closing date of: Monday 11th September 2023

Interviews: 22nd September 2023

Appointment subject to satisfactory references & proof of right to work in the UK.

Download Application Pack

Daughters of Charity Province of Rosalie Rendu Newsletter - July 2023

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:01:00 GMT

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Recruiting Trustees for Out There Charity

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:32:00 GMT

Recruiting Trustees with specialities in:

Governance & Leadership
Finance & Accounting

Out There is a charity that supports families impacted by the imprisonment of a loved one across Greater Manchester.

Throughout these recent challenging times, we have continued to offer support to families and to expand the services we have available, for example developing our support for children and young people.

In addition to our core services, we have developed our Hub space in Old Trafford as a space for us to work, for other charities to deliver their services and to work jointly on new projects.

The charity was established in 2006 by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent De Paul. It is part of a group of charities under the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent De Paul Services (DCSVP). Out There is a Vincentian, values-based organisation whose heritage stems from the Christian faith tradition. The charity supports people of all faiths and none.

We are now looking to recruit 2 new Trustees, with a view to one becoming Chair, to join a committed board of 6. We are particularly interested in recruiting a new Trustee who has experience and skills in finance and / or Governance and Leadership.

More detail on the roles are available in our Trustee pack, available on Out There’s website at www.outtherecharity.org/volunteer . If you are interested in applying please forward a CV with a supporting letter to recruitment@dcmillhill.org by 28th August 2023.

We intend meeting with selected applicants shortly after the closing date and anticipate induction to the Board in September 2023.

If you wish to speak to someone informally about the roles and Out There please do not hesitate to email our Chief Executive, Mark Turnbull mark@outtherecharity.org .

Trustee Positions

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 13:33:00 GMT

Daughters of Charity Services operates as a family of charities across Britain, providing a diverse range of services to various communities in need of support, from working with Roma women and families in Glasgow, to providing home care to elderly people living alone in Westminster.

Each organisation is independently run, but forms a part of the Daughters of Charity Services family through their shared commitment to our Vincentian charism and values, and a commitment to collaborate in order to best serve those experiencing poverty, exclusion or isolation. It is this shared commitment, borne of our Catholic heritage and the philosophy and practice of St Vincent de Paul, which helps shape our common identity.

We are seeking individuals who can bring their professional knowledge, dedication and passion to the Daughters of Charity Services Board of Trustees through the appointment of individuals who have a background in one of the following areas:

Social Care
Law

Board meetings are held four times per year, with visits to our member charities strongly encouraged. If you are interested in one of these vacancies, please send your CV with a covering letter to

recruitment@dcmillhill.org by the closing date of 4 August 2023.

Daughters of Charity Services Conference 2023 - Solidarity for Justice

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:45:00 GMT

Daughters of Charity Services held a two-day conference in Manchester’s city centre last week. Running from 13 – 14 June, the event brought together 50 attendees and served to shape the narrative of collaboration for the years ahead.

Among delegates were CEOs, trustees, senior members and front-line staff from the six diverse UK charities that make up the Daughters of Charity Services group; St Joseph’s, The Louise Project, Out There, The Marillac, St Vincent’s Family Project and Vincentian Care Plus. They were joined by guests including representatives from the Provincial Council, and representatives from charities which share our common mission, including The Listening Heart, new drop-in centre in Glasgow that provides a listening and pastoral service, and the Luton-based homelessness charity NOAH.

It was the group’s first major conference in five years. The event was entitled ‘Solidarity for Justice’, a core Vincentian value that is shared across the group.

On Tuesday 13th June, Chief Executive Officer of Daughters of Charity Services, Mark Choonara, and the charity’s Chair, Sister Ellen Flynn, opened the conference before welcoming the first keynote speakers. Attendees heard from a panel who are leading on new initiatives across the group, followed by Raymond Friel OBE - CEO of Caritas Social Action Network - who demonstrated the parallels between the shared Vincentian Charism and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Day two of the conference saw Sir John Battle highlight effective approaches to advocating alongside those in greatest need, drawing on his long career of service, from campaigning against poverty to serving as Government Minister. The President of Depaul Group, Mark McGreevy, provided an insight into how he has developed successful collaborative initiatives across a broad range of groups, from establishing Depaul International to the more recent impact of the FamVin Homeless Alliance.

The final session was held by Mark Choonara who spoke about the group’s collaborative future and working together for Solidarity for Justice . Mark was joined by Daughters of Charity Services’ Group Communications Manager, Riana Brown, and Research and Policy Officer, Dakota Langhals, who presented the development of advocacy work already taking place and the group’s responsibility to responding to injustices.

Throughout the conference, attendees took part in roundabout table discussions and had the opportunity to share opinions, front-line stories and input to the group’s development.

Mark Choonara said: “This has been a wonderful opportunity to bring together colleagues from across our group who share in our common mission of serving those in greatest need with dignity, love and kindness. It’s been inspiring to hear the work taking place both within our extraordinary group charities, and in the wider field from which we can draw, as we seek to continue our service of living out the Vincentian Charism in practice across Britain in the 21st century.”

Sister Ellen said: “We are so blessed to have such wonderful, committed, enthusiastic and passionate people in our organisations bringing the qualities of compassion, dignity and innovation to all with whom they walk in solidarity. This conference has searched for ways not only to sustain its current work but to advocate for the systemic change needed for true justice, and to collaborate with all who respond to the people impacted by poor policy through no fault of their own. May all those we support now and in the future continue to be our hope and inspiration.”

Daughters of Charity Province of Rosalie Rendu Newsletter - April 2023

Tue, 09 May 2023 13:29:00 GMT

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