Mini Vinnies

Our Marvellous Mini Vinnies

Mini Vinnies is a St Vincent de Paul group in primary school. It is a group of young people who get together once a week to organise and talk about helping others in need within their school community and beyond.

‘Mini Vinnies’ are children aged between 7 to 11 (or younger) who, with the permission of their parents and the support of our Schools, are encouraged to embark on their first steps as possible ‘Vincentians for life’.

As Mini Vinnies, the children have their own ‘treasured’ Prayer, Pledge and Badge, a dedicated website and a range of bright and colourful documents which guide them in their formative steps – helping and enabling them to become in every sense, young Vincentians – or ‘Mini Vinnies’.

P L E D G E

As a member of Mini Vinnies, I promise to make a difference in my world by;

Caring for, respecting and loving myself.

Strengthening my friendship with Jesus by talking to him each day and talking to others about him.

Caring for others in my school and community by being a friend to those who are alone, in need or in trouble.

Making my family happy by my help, respect and showing kindness and consideration.

Caring for and enjoying God's world.

Treating others the way I would like them to treat me.

In our school, we have a vibrant Mini Vinnies club which meets regularly to follow the example of St Vincent de Paul and help those in need.

Our Mini Vinnies group turned concern into action this Advent by organising a reverse Advent Calendar project. Each class were given a hamper and asked to add items to the hamper during Advent. The Mini Vinnies were blown away by the support and the donations were phenomenal. Stephen and Marco, who have a huge role within the SVP, came to collect the donations and held an Assembly. They then took the collections to an SVP Community Centre where they assured us that they were warmly received. 

We carried out "Random Acts of Kindness," in the local community by delivering spider plants with a special message to make people smile. We handed these to residents at the local care home, local businesses and people who live near our school.

We have been carol singing during Christmas time at the local Care Home to bring festive cheer to the residents and strengthen our community bond. We also made our own Christmas cards and delivered them to the Care Home to bring joy and warmth during the festive season. Mini Vinnies added their own special messages in each card to give them a personal touch.

We attended a Mass at our feeder high school to celebrate 50 years of the SVP. We made lots of new friends.

Inspired by the message of Pope Francis in Laudato Si' we carried out litter picking to play our part in looking after our wonderful world.

We are always busy thinking of others. At Christmas we raised money for Chester Aid for the Homeless and at Easter we raised money for Caritas Good shepherd Appeal. We are very good at organising competitions and events.