'Without our volunteers or people who give, we would have nothing to help those in need'

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) shop on Brews Hill, Navan - which opened in 1991 and recently went through a refurbishment is fronted by large windows that welcomes in the light. Those windows represent all that has changed with people's perception of charity and compassion as JIMMY GEOGHEGAN discovered when he spoke to shop manager Angela Mahon. 

As far as Angela Mahon is concerned little things can mean a lot. 

The manager of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) shop in Brews Hill, Navan points to her own outlet as a case in point - and specifially the window that fronts the 
building. 
The shop - which opened in 1991 and recently went through a refurbishment - is fronted by large windows that welcomes in the light. On display is a sample of the goods available inside. Like any shop, on any street, the aim is to entice people walking past; draw in the customers. 
But it wasn't always like that. Back in the recent past she recounts, the widows to the shop were small; there were no goods on display, nothing to indicate the variety of low-cost items available inside - and for good reason. 
People didn't want to be seen going into charity shops; their reluctance, no doubt, fuelled by a concern about what the neighbours might say. 
Now charity shops are popular locations for those seeking out a bargain - and despite what government spin doctors might want to portray about the “booming” economy - there are lots of people out there struggling to make ends meet.

 

Angela Mahon (lef) and volunteers who work in the SVP shop in Brews Hill, Navan. 

Just ask Angela Mahon, who is from Ratoath and has spent much of her working life in the retail sector. 
It's 15 years ago now since Mahon took over as the manager of the SVP outlet on Brews Hill - and for her the change in the outer appearance of the shop serves as a perfect metaphor for a shift in people's attitudes. 
“We used to have those small little windows,” she recalls. “People would come in to get something for their families, clothes maybe, but it was important to people that nobody would see them, it all had to be very secret. People did not want to be seen going into a charity shop.
“Things have changed, attitudes have changed, thankfully,” she adds. “We didn't advertise anything on our windows, there was nothing there to show what we sold inside but it's very different now.”
Over the years, changes had to be made to ensure the SVP shop on Brews Hill attracted the discerning shopper - and therefore generated funds for the needy. There was those small windows for starters. They had to go. 
Then there was the task of ensuring the clothes and other items were presented in a way that would make them attractive to potential buyers. 
In short SVP had to become more retail-savvy. 
Outlets such as the Brews Hill shop are vital to the Society of St Vincent de Paul - a charity organisation that was formed 185 years ago this year and which has spread worldwide. 
Since 1905 a branch - or 'conference' as the SVP branches are referred to - has operated out of Navan. 
Now there are five conferences in the area - St Paul's, St Oliver's, St Clare's, St Patrick's and Johnstown. There are also four SVP shops but the Brews Hill outlet is the oldest - by some distance. 
The increase in the number of shops tells its own tale. It indicates a growing need out there among people for the kind of support the SVP offers; the numbers of people seeking assistance compounded by the recent, rapid growth in Navan's population. 
Last year Navan SVP dispensed money or goods to the value of €300,000 to people living locally. Some of the support provided is for folk who are struggling to buy food, or cover a electricity bill. 
Others are looking to pay for school uniforms and books, or a TV licence. 
The reasons are infinite; the money limited. Some cash is handed out but more often than not it's food vouchers or clothes distributed. 
Despite the headlines there are very few homeless people asking for help. 

Trained Soceity of St Vincent de Paul personnel will go out to a family that have requested assistance and assess the 
situation; what they need and how much. 
“A lot of people on low incomes don't know how to manage money, they buy convenience food, they don't know how to cook, there should be some sort of classes like that to train people. 
“They might buy little packs of butter, for example, instead of a pound of butter which would be more economical. 
“Little things like that can make a big difference to people on a 
small income,” explains Angela Mahon. 

She is one of two full-time SVP employees based in the Brews Hill outlet (Joanna Browne is the other) but the shop - like the organisation - is founded on the generosity of members of the public who donate goods - or to a lesser extent these days - money. 
The business also relies on the willingness of volunteers to give up their time to ensure the shop - which has expanded beyond recognition over the years - is open six days a week. 
“We have in this shop 22 volunteers who come in on different days. A lot of them are parents who can only do a morning when the children are at school, some of them are great, they cover Saturdays. 
“Without these volunteers, or the people who give clothes, books, jewellery, whatever, so generously we would have nothing, we wouldn't be able to help those who need our help. “ 
Managing the SVP shop has allowed Angela Mahon to get a insight into the minds of people. Most folk, she finds, are generous, caring, giving. 
There is, however, another cohort that leaves her bemused and bewildered. 

 

“Everything that is brought into us is checked and we always say it if we wouldn't wear it we wouldn't expect anybody else to wear it. Unfortunately there are people who feels it's a dumping ground, they feel they can leave goods that are either dirty or broken, clothes and toys for example. 
“There are some people who have this horrible attitude towards people with low incomes, some of the stuff they leave in with us is not the best, it's incredible. If they can just tell us that's it's for recycling we can do that, we also earn some income from sending material for recycling. 
“It's unfortunate as well that 
some people, who come into us, feel that because we get the stuff for nothing they can steal it; that it's their right. 
“One day I heard a mother saying to her daughter: 'Sure take it, they get it for nothing anyway.' I said to them: 'Sorry, it doesn't work like that, you have to pay for it.' I have seen others just rip open packages.”
Thankfully, Mahon reiterates, the vast majority of people are decent, generous folk who only want to help. 
There was a time when SVP was sustained by donations alone. Now the bulk of the organisation's income is derived from the shops fronted by those big windows. From darkness into light. 
The SVP in Navan, and  elsewhere, continues the relentless battle against poverty - and there's no sign yet that victory is in sight.