The Salvation Army

• Christian denomination

• founded in the nineteenth century

Salvation Army members work with the poor and disadvantaged in many ways. Their work includes:

• setting up soup kitchens and hostels for the homeless

• toy distribution at Christmas

• advice that helps people to get rid of and stay out of debt

• giving employment guidance and information

• giving emergency assistance, for example, food, meals, clothes, baby supplies, showers

• providing community vegetable gardens where people can grow their own food

• collecting and redistributing unwanted furniture

• raising awareness of the issue of human trafficking.

St Vincent de Paul Society

• Roman Catholic society

• has been given a Big Society award by the Prime Minister in recognition of its work in improving the lives of people with different needs in the UK

• founded in the nineteenth century by a French professor, Frederic Ozanam, who said: 'In my life I want to become better and do a little good. Their aims are to visit the sick, feed the hungry, help the homeless and befriend the lonely.

• irrespective of race, culture and religion.

The society is involved in all kinds of work, for example:

• repairing and restoring donated furniture to give to those who need it support centres giving debt advice, counselling and providing training in literacy, numeracy and ICT

• providing support for asylum seekers

• running community shops and food banks in areas where there is great poverty

• providing holidays for disadvantaged children and families

• running hostels for newly released prisoners, homeless and mentally ill people

• a range of activities for disabled people

• soup kitchens.