Two Donegal winners at the Vincent’s 2024 National Retail Conference

Two Vincent’s charity shops in Donegal have won awards in the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) North West Region.

Vincent’s charity shop in Donegal town has won the Team of the Year Award and Vincent’s Raphoe has won the Highest Percentage Growth Award.

The awards were presented at Vincent’s 2024 National Retail Conference held earlier this month at University College Cork. It was attended by approximately 200 volunteers and managers from Vincent’s network of shops throughout Ireland.

A theme of the Conference was the social, environmental and financial value - the triple bottom line - that Vincent’s shops bring to the work of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Vincent’s shops are important to their local communities, generating surpluses that are used to support those most in need in those communities and operating in a sustainable manner.

There are over 230 SVP shops throughout Ireland, trading under the ‘Vincent's’ name. Vincent’s shops are a hugely important aspect of the service SVP provides to those who seek its assistance.

Not only do the shops provide goods at affordable prices and help reconnect people, disconnected by poverty, but they also provide an income source for the Society, which is directed back into the local communities.

Speakers at the conference included; Kevin O’Sullivan Environment and Science Editor of the Irish Times; Robin Osterley, CEO, Charity Retail Association, UK and Jeff Buamguard Director of Stores Support, SVP, USA.