oUR sTORY

Our Vincentian roots

While Depaul is inclusive of people from all faiths or none at all, our mission is deeply rooted in the spirituality and example of St Vincent de Paul, the Patron Saint of Charity. A Catholic priest working in 17th century France, St Vincent is widely regarded across the globe as one of the most influential figures in the history of charitable work.

Known for his deep compassion for those living in poverty and his practical approach to helping those in need, Vincent devoted his life to serving those on the margins of society. His innovative work laid the foundations for many modern charitable institutions and has inspired a global movement centred on dignity, compassion, and social justice. His belief that charity should be both heartfelt and effective resonated through centuries, shaping how religious and lay groups engage with social issues.

An organisation born out of collaboration

Our organisation was founded in 1989 after the late Cardinal Basil Hume saw growing numbers of homeless young people sleeping rough on the streets outside Westminster Cathedral and requested help from three Catholic organisations inspired by St Vincent de Paul to form a new organisation. Together, The Daughters of Charity, the Society of St. Vincent De Paul and The Passage, created Depaul Trust (known today as Depaul UK) with a mission to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it.

Depaul International was subsequently formed in 2004 and now oversees a growing Group of independent charities spanning six continents. Our founding partners continue to be represented on our Board and our Vincentian values remain at the heart of everything we do.

As word got out about the way we put our values into action, we began to be invited to other countries and now manage a network of homelessness charities operating across more than 70 countries.