Mini Vinnies New Starter Sessions

Welcome to the Mini Vinnies' programme! Now that you have established your group and recruited your members, why not get started with the help of our new starter sessions? These sessions will ensure a strong foundation for your Mini Vinnies' group as they get to learn about leadership, the Society, their mission, and the history of our patron, founder and inspiration.

You might like to use these sessions in the order below, or dip in and out of them, depending on the set-up of your group.

Don't forget our recruitment resources are still available via the links below.

You can also click here to find out more about creating an effective SVP family network.

Recruiting your Mini Vinnies

This is a photo of 2 children doing a writing task

Mini Vinnies Application letter for children (writing task)

Mini Vinnies Application letter for children (drawing task, ideal for KS1)

Meeting 1: Forming your Mini Vinnies' Leadership Team

This is a photo of 3 children deep in conversation in a meeting.

Aim of session:

To help the children to have a good understanding of the leadership roles within the Mini Vinnies.
To elect the children who will take on the leadership roles within the group.
To prepare content for the Mini Vinnies display board in school.

Leader's guide and worksheets

Meeting 2 - Starting the mission: See

This is a photo of two children looking through a magnifying glass

Aim of session:

To help the children identify the needs in their local community.
To learn about the impact the SVP has on the people they help.
To relate their mission of being a Mini Vinnie to the actions of Jesus.

Leader's guide and worksheets

Meeting 3 - ‘Think’ - Following in the footsteps of Christ

This is a photo of two children with thinking caps on.

Aim of session:

To reflect on the places they identified in the second meeting where help might be needed.
To think about what help might be needed in those places and come up with ideas of possible projects.
Consider what Jesus would do in these areas where help is needed.

Leader's guide and worksheets

Meeting 4 - Turning concern into action

This is a photo of two children holding a sign which reads 'Do your part!'

Aim of session:

To turn their concern into action with preparation for their first project.
To learn about some of the other branches of the SVP.
To prepare to link with another branch of the SVP.

Leader's guide and worksheets

Let's Learn About The SVP slides

Meeting 5 - St Vincent de Paul: The Saint behind the SVP

Aim of session:

To have a good understanding of the life of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Leader's guide and worksheets

The Life of St Vincent de Paul slides

Meeting 6: Frédéric Ozanam: The man behind the SVP

This is a picture of Blessed Frederic Ozanam

Aim of session:

To turn their concern into action with preparation for their first project.
To learn about some of the other branches of the SVP.
To prepare for linking with another branch of the SVP in some way.

Leader's guide and worksheets

The Man behind the Society: Blessed Frédéric Ozanam slides

Meeting 7: Strong women of the SVP

This is a picture of Blessed Rosalie Rendu and St Louise de Marillac

Aim of session:

To share with the Mini Vinnies a bit more about the women of the SVP who supported both St Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam.
Plan a call to action to celebrate inspiring women in the lives of the Mini Vinnies.

Leader's notes and worksheets

Strong Women of the SVP fact sheets