TWINNING
The ‘twinning’ concept of the strong helping the weak is at the heart of Christianity.
As the main Catholic charity serving the poor, SSVP must take the lead in calling Christians to action. In this, we cannot find a better example than that set by Pope Francis who, during his lifetime, often drew attention to the plight of the poor.
Sadly, many of us view good works or acts of charity as “nice to do” – provided they do not interfere with other, more important aspects of our lives! But if we believe that everything we have in life is a gift from God, then we have a duty to share these gifts with others less fortunate. If you think about it, our lives could have been so different – more like the lives of the poor we sometimes forget.
Concern and good intentions are simply not enough – we have to act. But how do we encourage and empower Christians to serve the poor in the face of the current culture of apathy?
We believe that collaboration between business, schools and charities is the answer. And this is where the twinning system works so well.
Interactive Relationships
Our goal is to foster interactive and interdependent relationships between donors and recipients. This is managed by National and Central Council twinning officers, who actively:
- Encourage conferences to help themselves rather than depending on others;
- Create awareness of SSVP activities among the youth and business;
- Create trust between business and SSVP conferences;
- Ensure a structured approach to good works and financial control;
- Instill confidence that business resources are being put to good use;
- Enable volunteers to donate time and skills in the most effective way;
- Prove that people can make a difference in a specific way to a specific project.
Read more about the specific types of twinning below:
Business Twinning
Businesses have a vital role to play in the twinning programme. With substantial financial and material resources at their disposal, as well as skilled people, they can ensure the success of our projects.
In return, businesses that ‘twin’ with SSVP benefit from knowing that their investment will be put to good use. As a well known International organisation with a spotless reputation, SSVP brings a high level of trust to the relationship. A spin off benefit is the team-building aspect of involving staff in charity work. This can lead to personal growth and greater job satisfaction.
Our outreach projects are carefully researched, monitored and evaluated. CSI managers can act with confidence, knowing that they will be able to provide feedback to the company. In addition, our projects often benefit the communities from which the company’s own staff are drawn. This creates a win-win situation!
Ideally the business ‘twin’ is a company in the same vicinity as the SSVP Conference – although it’s not essential. It’s also helpful if a person on the staff is known to a member of the conference or Parish. This person can serve as the first point of contact. After being exposed to the project in an informal way, he or she can then introduce it to the CSI manager or MD of the company.
Thereafter the relationship should be formalised and managed through a twinning officer.
School Twinning
Attracting young people to SSVP has always been a priority. Through the school twinning programme, we can expose them to our work at a young age. It’s the ideal opportunity to enrol them as members.
Children, in turn, are able to motivate their often well connected parents, who may be keen to help their offspring in the good works they undertake. The children also have the power to influence and inspire younger siblings to join the Society when the time comes.
Currently, when children leave school, they only have experience of generic or local charitable projects. By involving them in the work of SSVP, we encourage them to continue caring about the poor and needy.
School twinning operates in a similar way to business twinning. The conference’s twinning officer liaises with school staff, children and parents on joint projects. Schools in poorer areas are encouraged to identify a specific need. They may have the manpower to address the need, but lack the financial resources. Through cooperation with other schools in more affluent areas, they may be able to gain the necessary finance or skills.
International Twinning
Most international support comes from twinning conferences in Scotland.
