Sarah and Muriel, a Beneficiary

The powerful bond of friendship

The International Day of Friendship on 30 July is the perfect opportunity to recognise the tireless efforts of SVP members, volunteers, staff and external agencies who continue to work together to deal with life’s many crises, bringing comfort and peace of mind to tens of thousands of individuals every year.

Offering friendship opens our hearts and changes the way we see the world around us. Befriending not only feeds the human spirit, it creates a bond between those who befriend and those who are befriended. It is a powerful tool in the battle to end isolation and loneliness, and it demonstrates in the most tangible way that together we can make positive change happen.

Here is a shining example of this year’s International Day of Friendship theme ‘Sharing the human spirit through friendship’.

Muriel and Sarah’s story

Muriel and her daughter Sarah were given just eight days to move out of emergency accommodation where they had spent six months after a prohibition order had resulted in the loss of their home. Anxious and overwhelmed by their situation, Sarah, who suffers with MS and poor mobility, and Muriel, who is in constant pain from a curvature of the spine, needed urgent help to move to a permanent bungalow.

The Warrington SVP Conference responded by appraising the bungalow and finding it hazardous and unfit for occupancy, especially for individuals over fifty and eighty with serious health conditions. SVP members were able to push back the move-in date by a week giving them time to turn the bungalow into a home.

Donations of furniture and generous financial support funded the installation of new flooring, while members dealt with faults and the necessary DIY the house needed. Through a coordinated effort, the SVP got the home ready for its new occupants.

Warrington Conference member Tricia Reilly said: “It’s been a fantastic example of SVP networking. Without the help of our brothers and sisters working together we could not have achieved this amazing result.”

Muriel and Sarah moved in two weeks after the initial request for help was made to the SVP. Sarah said: “SVP members really live their faith, not just by going to church, but by what they do.”

In true Vincentian spirit, the Warrington Conference remains in touch with Sarah, who is now able to concentrate on regular physiotherapy. It has been a long nine months for Sarah and her mother, but they can finally look to the future with hope and confidence.

The friendship offered by SVP members now inspires Sarah and her mother to give back. Sarah recently said: “Please let us help you to help others. You were all so wonderful and saved us at a most critical point.”

If, like Sarah and Muriel, you would like to give back, please donate here.

#internationalfriendshipday