Catholics for AIDS Prevention & Support (CAPS) is a ministry in Britain and Ireland promoting HIV prevention and support. They aim to be a voice in the Church for people living with HIV/AIDS and a Christian voice in the world of HIV/AIDS.
Tom and Alice*, a couple seeking refuge in the UK were expecting their first child when they approached CAPS for help. A few months before they had been placed into emergency accommodation and through no fault of their own, within two months their flat was flooded. Inadequate repairs were carried out by the landlord, leading to extensive and persistent mould growth in the property in the weeks following the water damage. This also led to a deterioration of Tom and Alice’s health, in particular breathing problems and severe anxiety, threatening their mental health and wellbeing.
Despite their best efforts of writing to and visiting the local authority housing office over a period of months, Tom and Alice received no response. One way in which CAPS were able to intervene, was through offering advocacy for the couple. They supported the family to raise their concerns with local MP who wrote to the council. After a formal complaint was issued by the couple, the council finally responded to advise that their case would be reviewed by the end of the year, several weeks after the baby was due.
In the midst of this, safeguarding concerns were raised by the maternity nursing team about the couple’s living situation, which resulted in Tom and Alice being advised to contact the local authority housing team.
As the situation persisted with no resolution, CAPS referred family to independent solicitors which led to the local housing authority being threatened with judicial proceedings. Following this, CAPS were able to work with Tom and Alice to eventually secure another property owned by their current landlord nine days before Alice was to give birth. Staff accompanied them to view their new flat and relocate, as well as help them settle and ‘set up’ their new home (e.g., utilities bills, housing benefits, council tax). In addition to this, CAPS supported family in returning home from the hospital with the new baby, providing supplies (e.g., nappies, formula, clothes), applying for and obtaining a government maternity grant, as well as securing funding to purchase a pushchair and other newborn essentials.
CAPS were able to uphold Tom and Alice’s dignity by insisting on their getting access to the services to which they are legally entitled. Without intensive support from organisations like CAPS (have the ability and determination to persist with advocacy e.g. pursue complaints, contact MPs and lawyers), Tom and Alice’s family’s wellbeing was as risk of being significantly jeopardised. Better living conditions were able to be found due to CAPS’ commitment to love of the other and justice.
*Names have been changed for privacy reasons