2024 News Articles
2024 News Articles
CAPS’ PositiveFaith HIV Peer Support Group Achievements in 2024
In 2024, CAPS’ PositiveFaith HIV Peer Support Group successfully delivered 90 peer support group meetings and three residentials across the country. The ministry has brought together an estimated 140 unique members, activists, and volunteers. During meetings, members pray together, share a healthy meal, and provide mutual support and encouragement.
Expert speakers, such as Dr Stuart Flanagan, provide valuable insights during these sessions. At a recent SWLF group meeting, Dr Flanagan began his presentation on HIV medication and healing by sharing the story of Jesus healing the man born blind. He later reminded members that an undetectable viral load means HIV is untransmissible.
PositiveFaith continues to offer vital support, fostering learning, faith, and community among its members.
CHIVA Conference – Birmingham
CAPS Trustee John Thornhill & Pastoral Support Worker Abigail Chakanyuka attended the Children’s HIV charity CHIVA Conference in Birmingham, March 15th. Our display prompted much interest from the delegates attending. As always, some are surprised to see us there. Abigail recalls one conversation with an HIV practitioner who asked “Aren’t you Christians the problem? Some of my patients are uncertain about taking their medication because of what they hear in church about being cured!” Abigail described how our members understand healing in Christian perspective. Some PLWH cling to expectations of being cured miraculously because they have internalised the judgments they heard within their church. Frightened, their hope is to be rid of HIV. It is a sign that they have yet to accept their HIV & understand it within the context of faith. Abigail was able to explain that we help our members to understand that God’s healing is offered through modern medicine. Our members come to distinguish between false ideas of being cured and experience instead, the more profound healing, not least from the wounds of stigma, that is God’s answer to our prayers.
New South London support services for PLWH – ‘Bridges’
CAPS trustee Tyrone Allee gave a short presentation at the launch in Kennington of the re-structured ‘Bridges’ support services for PLWH. Under contract from the boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark & Lewisham (LSL) CAPS is one of the providers along with partner agencies African Advocacy Foundation (AAF), METRO & Positively UK. A number of the PositiveFaith members attended an enjoyable evening of networking. http:// bridgeslondon.org.uk/
CAPS invited to join ‘ONE VOICE’ Network
Abigail Chakanyuka attended meetings of a collaborative of agencies whose aim is to advocate and provide leadership for Black communities affected by HIV and health inequalities. CAPS seeks to keep the value of peer support and the importance of faith in the lives of so many Black PLWH on the collective agenda. Many PositiveFaith members report experiences of prejudice & discrimination in the Health Sector and elsewhere. As a majority of our PositiveFaith members are Black PLWH, our experience will be a valuable contribution to the One Voice network (onevoicenet.org).
PositiveFaith members support the local community
The PositiveFaith Gay Men’s Group, South West London Fellowship and PositiveFaith London peer support groups all meet at The Old Laundry community centre in Stockwell. CAPS volunteers led the catering team providing a meal for sixty senior citizens in collaboration with the Stockwell Residents Association & The Young People Matter team, who are also based at the centre.
PositiveFaith members and CAPS Activists PATCHWORK QUILT Project
Members of our groups have begun a project to create a new patchwork display that visualises some of our stories. It is hoped that the eventual quilt will be available for display. Look out for news next year.
R.I.P. Sister Marcella Roe CP 1935-2024
Sister Marcella was a member of CAPS Prayer Support group. When she lived in London, she sometimes attended our PositiveFaith peer support group meetings and she attended a Douai summer retreat. She offered support for individual women living with HIV. She was an ally, friend and supporter. We trust that she will be praying now for our members from her place in Heaven.
