Research for an HIV-Informed Church & a More Responsive Charity Sector: CAPS Consultations with The Passionists & Lloyds Foundation

CAPS Activists – A Voice for PLWH in the Church

Listening to the voices of PLWH, especially those on the margins of society and Church is the only way to become aware of the challenges that PLWH face. CAPS has contributed to two distinct research projects. Director Vincent Manning has been engaged as an expert advisor for the Lloyds Foundation project into the value of Small ‘By&For’ community organisations and charities. The New Economics Foundation (NEF) was commissioned to undertake research and in January, PositiveFaith Members & CAPS Trustees met with Dr Stephanie Ejegi-Memeh as a focus group to contribute. The final report ‘Built By Us: Understanding the Distinctiveness of By-And-For Organisations is available at the NEF website neweconomics.org/2025/09/built-by-us‍. ‍

Careful listening has also been important for CAPS partners, The Congregation of the Passion, as the clergy of the religious order reviewed all aspects of Passionist Ministry in the newly created Province (UK and Ireland). Their review, led by Lucy Franks, reported back to the congregation in the summer. Lucy met on several occasions with CAPS Director and spent an evening with a focus group made up of our members. Importantly, Lucy was able to find out not only what CAPS does to relieve poverty and overcome suffering, but how the Passionist Charism & Spirituality is applied in our PositiveFaith Ministry and how this helps PLWH make faith-sense of their experience and deepen their faith.