Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul Services has announced it is to close later this year after completing its stated goal of developing its subsidiary charities. Founded in 2012 by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, the charity was created to unite six Vincentian charities within a single group structure, providing governance, shared services, infrastructure and formation during a period of transition to lay-led leadership.

In a statement, the charity said: “Over the past 14 years, that model has enabled the member charities to flourish. Today, each organisation has developed strong governance, independent leadership and a deep commitment to the Vincentian charism, allowing them to continue their mission with confidence as autonomous charities.”

The decision followed a period of review where it was decided that Daughters of Charity Services had “successfully fulfilled its founding purpose and reached the natural conclusion of its role.”

On March 3 the group structure was dissolved with member charities becoming independent organisations. A facilitator was appointed to work alongside the six charities and the wider Vincentian network to explore how relationships, collaboration and shared formation could continue into the future.

The chair of Daughters of Charity Services, Sister Ellen Flynn, said the charity had completed its mission with “profound gratitude”.

"While this marks the end of an important chapter, it is not the end of the Vincentian mission that has inspired and united us. Rather, it is an opportunity for that mission to continue in new ways through the strength, commitment and shared values of our organisations and the wider Vincentian community,” she said.

"The charity itself may be closing, but the Vincentian spirit that has brought us together remains very much alive. We look to the future with hope, confidence and gratitude, knowing that together we will continue to carry forward the Vincentian charism and serve those most in need.

“We pay tribute to those we have accompanied and supported whose lives are our inspiration and the reason for our being. To honour Jesus Christ, as the source and model of all charity through respecting the dignity and person of people experiencing poverty, exclusion and vulnerability and doing everything that we can to address their needs, is the true legacy of the Daughters of Charity."