Depaul UK is part of Depaul International - parent of the Depaul Group worldwide family of charities that works with people who are homeless.
The Depaul Group is inspired by the values of Saint Vincent de Paul, a major social reformer in 17th Century France.
Depaul works to support people who are homeless and marginalised around the world. They currently operate in the UK, France, Ireland, Slovakia, Ukraine and USA.
The approach is tailored to the people, communities and issues in each of these countries. Wherever they work, they do so with common values and the same respect for each person they meet.
Globally, Depaul's work ranges from providing safe shelter, accommodation, food and health services to helping people affected by homelessness receive the education, employment and social services they need.
The goal is to empower people who face homelessness, improving their quality of life and helping them stay off the streets for good.
The Depaul Group began in 1989 in response to the growing number of homeless people on the streets of London.
The initial idea emerged from The Passage Day Centre, in Victoria. Sister Barbara Smith, who was then Director of The Passage, and her management team and trustees brought their proposal to Cardinal Basil Hume who agreed to be Patron of the new charity Depaul Trust and support its inception. The founder members all had their roots in the life and work of Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660).
Sister Sarah King-Turner was appointed as the first Director and built the infrastructure in London as well as leading on its first project developments.
In those early years in London, Depaul was proud to have the unstinting support of Diana, Princess of Wales who visited Depaul projects regularly, making time to sit and talk to residents in the hostels for single homeless young people aged from 16 to 25.
In 1992, Mark McGreevy took over as Director, and he inspired and led the national and international expansion of the Depaul Group over the next few years, for which he was awarded an OBE in January 2015.
Depaul quickly grew into a national charity in the UK and, from 2002, expanded internationally, starting in Ireland.
Two years later, Depaul International, then known as The Depaul Foundation, was formed to be parent organisation to the burgeoning global group – with the aim of tackling homelessness at a worldwide level.
Depaul Slovensko, in Slovakia, was registered in 2006, Depaul Kharkiv, in Ukraine, was born the following year, and Depaul USA in 2008.
The most recent addition to the Group is Depaul France which arrived in 2013.
Each member of the Depaul Group, and Depaul International, owes its inspiration and its Values to Vincent de Paul, a major social reformer in 17th Century France.
Vincent de Paul reached out to the poor and the disenfranchised, valuing each and every person.
He attracted a large group of supporters and volunteers, whom he inspired with his love for the poor, building bridges between rich people and those living in poverty.
Vincent de Paul devoted his life to helping the poor, sick and needy and was canonised in 1737. He is often referred to as “the Saint of Charity”.
Vincentian Values are key to the foundation and work of the Depaul Group and all its national charities.
These values include a commitment to help the poorest of the poor – and to place actions ahead of words.
Depaul UK focuses on young people in crisis and beyond.
They support young people by:
